Have you ever wondered why Indigenous relations and reconciliation departments, ministries and agencies are so prevalent in Canada (municipal, regional, provincial, federal levels and most corporations)? Indigenous Insight provides a unique First Nation perspective, and the type of information that must be available, but isn't.
Many Indigenous communities have endured centuries of systemic marginalization, cultural suppression, and dispossession of their lands. Historical policies like the Indian Act, the Indian Reserve System, and the Indian Residential School System have had devastating and long-lasting effects on Indigenous cultures, languages, and ways of life.
Indigenous cultural awareness training may be necessary if:
A. CANADA'S COLONIAL HISTORY
CANADA'S INDIAN ACT
Learning outcomes include raising awareness and understanding of:
CANADA'S INDIAN RESERVE SYSTEM
Learning outcomes include strengthening one’s understanding of:
CANADA'S INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SYSTEM
Learning outcomes include strengthening one's understanding of:
BAND OFFICE AS AN INSTITUTION
Learning outcomes include:
B. THE BASICS
Learning outcomes:
C. TRUTH & RECONCILIATION
The Cambridge Dictionary defines reconciliation as “a situation in which two people or groups of people become friendly again after they have argued.” The term reconciliation came into prominent usage following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Executive Summary in 2015. From a First Nation perspective, reconciliation is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Indigenous engagement. When referencing reconciliation, the healing journey of individual Indian Residential School Survivors must always be the priority. Reconciliation in this regard, must always be a possibility. Confusion results when reconciliation is discussed in the context of an entire Indigenous population (approximately 1.5 million in 2015). In this case, it is highly doubtful reconciliation is possible. Reconciliation in this regard must take into account the devastating impacts and implications of colonial, racist, segregatory Canadian legislation (Indian Act) and systems (Canada’s Indian Reserve System & Canada’s Indian Residential School System. Reconciliation in this context must involve Canada’s long unanswered and neglected ‘land question’. Over 630 land & territory questions remain unanswered across what is now, Canada.
Learning outcomes:
D. CANADA'S LAND QUESTION
How did the British Crown acquire its rights to the territory we now call British Columbia? The Royal Proclamation of 1763 ‘recognized the right of Indians to unceded lands in their possession, protected the Indians interest in those lands. British and then Euro-Canadian rule was enacted by sheer force of numbers as settlers overwhelmed fragments of Aboriginal populations who had survived the first waves of epidemic diseases brought by European fur traders during the eighteenth century. Aboriginal rights are collective rights of distinctive Indigenous societies flowing from their status as the original peoples of Canada. These rights are recognized and affirmed by Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Although the Constitution does not define Aboriginal rights, these rights can include Aboriginal title; right to occupy and use lands and resources (i.e., for hunting, fishing and gathering purposes); self-government rights; and cultural and social rights. Aboriginal rights will vary amongst First Nation groups according to distinctive cultures.
Learning outcomes:
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP
Learning outcomes:
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