Meeting the challenges

We are now halfway through the five-year period of the MCRI grant. Since the beginning of the project, we have profited from extensive input from researchers, both during plenary sessions and smaller discussions held during three pan-Canadian meetings in July 2006 (Rama), January 2007 (Montreal) and June 2007 (Saskatoon). We have also organized meetings at a more local level among researchers in the same region to track their progress in relation to the project objectives. More recently, in February and March 2008, we held joint meetings on “Recognition and Self-Determination” in Victoria with the MCRI research groups working on Ethnicity and Democratic Governance (EDG) and the Consortium on Democratic Constitutionalism (Demcon). The project’s students had the opportunity to participate in every important meeting with researchers. In addition, two student events were organized: one in Montreal (December 7 - 8, 2007) and another in Victoria (February 28, 2008). These meetings were very rewarding since they allowed students to establish both scientific and personal ties with other students and researchers.

At the next meeting we will review the research project as a whole, which is now at its halfway point. This National conference will take place in Montreal on October 9 - 11, 2008.

The project, in summary

At this point, the Orientation and Coordination Committee has decided to review the principal themes that have emerged from our meetings to date and to define a new plan of action and activities for the next three years.

The strategic issues have been identified based on the Indigenous Peoples and Governance (IPG) research projects. The purpose of these projects is to allow us to address critical issues and in doing so to make substantial progress and see tangible results; this will also greatly assist in the formulation of policies. If we achieve the expected progress in addressing the key questions, we will have made a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in this field, because it will be based on joint and interdisciplinary research.

The key topics being addressed are as follows:

1. The spirit and basis of negotiations: recognition, self-determination, and the meeting structure
   
2. Customary law and the interaction between customary and state law: experience and conceptualization
   
3. Governance practices, public policies and program and service management
   
4. Models of political participation and decision-making in indigenous communities
   
5. Dynamics of inter-governance and federalism
   
6. Resources and economic autonomy for indigenous peoples
   
7. Political and legal alliances between indigenous peoples
   
8. How to break out of colonialism: epistemological renewal in Aboriginal research

Introducing an Ally

Quebec Native Women (QNW)

Founded in 1974, Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW) represents women from the First Nations in Quebec and Aboriginal women living in urban areas.

As a bilingual organization and a member of the Native Women's Association of Canada, QNW sits on the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, on the Board of Directors of the Native Parajudicial Services of Quebec, on the Human Resources Development Commission of Quebec, as well as on several other Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal commissions and committees.

Mission

QNW supports Aboriginal women in their efforts to improve their living conditions through the promotion of non-violence, justice, health and equality. QNW also supports women in their work within their communities.

On the political front, QNW continues to work for the recognition of equal rights for all Aboriginal women in the country, both legislatively and constitutionally.

Actions

Like the First Nations, QNW supports self-government and works to assure that Aboriginal women have full and total participation in this process.

On the social and economic fronts, QNW is involved in the promotion and development of new training initiatives for Aboriginal women to help improve their lives and the lives of their families. These initiatives also allow them to participate more fully in their communities.

For more than 30 months, I have had the pleasure of directing one of, if not the, most important research projects on the contemporary conditions governing of independent native government in Canada. The project brings together Canada’s finest experts on the matter, with contributions from university colleagues from almost every discipline in the social and human sciences. To date, the responses we have received to the questions raised by our research topic warrant enthusiasm about the subsequent phases of the project.

I am particularly proud of the way students have been integrated and participated in the project. Their input is considerable and much appreciated. I’d also like to point out that the project place great importance on the contributions of native students and researchers; the partnership with native groups is an element that sets us apart.

The individual projects of each researcher, the discussions among the team and the project as a whole are doing well, thanks to excellent coordination. The tour I completed in the fall of 2007, meeting with the principal researchers at their respective universities, was well received by the researchers and the Orientation and Coordination committee. It allowed researchers and students to meet in smaller groups, lay the groundwork for coordination of the scientific research over the next three years and envision future discussions based on geographic proximity.

The tour also helped solidify ties between researchers working on the same subject or from a similar perspective. While the large cross-Canada meetings organized since the start of the project have been a stimulating occasion for the exchange of ideas, researchers also appreciate these more targeted meetings which allow for more in-depth discussion and reflection. The smaller groups also gave students greater personal contact with other researchers on the team who they do not report to directly, but who are working on the same areas. The team thus found its own balance and established its own way of working.

I look forward to our upcoming national mid-term conference, in which we will welcome the MCRI evaluation committee.

Pierre Noreau

Scientific director Pierre Noreau is often invited by the media to give his expert opinion on native issues. Recently, he participated in a CBC special on the apology from the Canadian Parliament to victims of the Indian residential schools. Here below is the press release issued by the Assembly of First Nations regarding this important event.

AFN National Chief acknowledges and supports Canada’s Parliament for sincere apology

June 12, 2008

AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine acknowledged Canada’s Parliament for a sincere apology delivered by Prime Minister Harper. The apology will hopefully begin a healing process for survivors, their families and loved ones as Canada’s past history of residential schools is acknowledged.

“Parliament acknowledged the wrongs of the past in the House of Commons with survivors and their families present, before church leaders, with the Prime Minister and all House leaders addressing Parliament, the nation and the world,” said National Chief Phil Fontaine. “The apology acknowledged that it was wrong to attack our culture, our faith, our identity and our autonomy as peoples. It acknowledged that these attacks were done in the most egregious manner, by depriving generations of children of the love and support of their parents, their culture, and their identity. This apology can, I believe, be viewed as a sincere attempt to heal past wounds.”

The National Chief added that the apology not only acknowledged the past, but noted that by addressing this tragic chapter of Canadian history, Canada can begin to turn a page of its history. The National Chief noted that the Prime Minister and House leaders spoke of a future in which Canada has promised to respect First Nations rights and would never again try to denigrate or destroy the identity of First Nations as distinct peoples; or compromise First Nations culture and families.

“For survivors, the apology is not only about healing past wounds, but is also about building a new relationship with Canada and to foster mutual trust and respect, for themselves, their children and grandchildren,” said National Chief Phil Fontaine. “This is why the apology is historic; residential school students, who were persecuted as children, have not only survived, they are now guiding Canada toward reconciliation. It is also important for all Canadians that we shed a light on this hidden aspect of our history so that we can begin to better understand and share with all Canadians our country’s past.”

“I also want to acknowledge that some survivors may find it difficult to accept this apology. The experiences of all survivors may be shared but each case is unique and individual. I personally hope that the healing can begin for all survivors. I also want to say that this is the start of the process for Truth and Reconciliation and the very important work that will begin under the guidance of Justice Harry Laforme,” the National Chief concluded.

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

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