My Online (Field) Placements with PILC and ANU

By Mackenzie Roop, 1st year MDP student

 The Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) specializes in assisting those who are too often pushed out of discussion around policy and quality legal representation. PILC offers advocacy for issues surrounding Indigenous peoples, human rights, the environment, and low-income persons. It is an honour and a privilege to work amongst such highly motivated and effective people.

The work that I’m doing is in response to a request by a First Nation organization to assess First Nations Entry into the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) established late 2019. I am reviewing the recommendations made by First Nations to the Expert Review Panel amending the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012, and how those recommendations transpired in the IAA. The hope is that this will more clearly illustrate the potential for meaningful First Nations participation in the environmental review process. The literature review highlighted key barriers to meaningful participation such as:

• The lack of Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC) as outlined in UNDRIP;
• The avoidance of more rigorous and encompassing impact evaluations via cumulative assessments and traditional knowledges; and
• The high expense incurred to First Nations to independently support the Impact Assessment process.

Many First Nations iterate that meaningful participation in the energy sector is key to reconciling Crown-Indigenous relationships. 

I am very grateful to work under Dr. Trish Fitzpatrick, Joelle Pastora Sala and Byron Williams. I am also working alongside fellow MDP colleague Kate! We have weekly check-in meetings with our supervisor Dr. Fitzpatrick, sometimes via socially distanced outside meetings over coffee, but mostly over Zoom. Here is a screenshot from one of our many Zoom meetings:

Top L-R: Dr. Trish Fitzpatrick and Mackenzie Roop. Bottom L-R: Kate Robb and Byron Williams

I am simultaneously working for the Centrefor Aboriginal Economic Policy Research at the Australian National University (ANU) in support of the Grand Challenge Initiative pursuing “Zero Carbon Energy for the Asia Pacific” (ZCEAP). I am researching Canadian case studies of Indigenous-led renewable energy projects. This will hopefully further inform the comparative opportunities of First Nations in Australia. As a settler who is half Canadian and half Australian, I am really excited to be doing research from a cross-regional perspective. The MDP has taught me a lot about the true history and reality of Turtle Island, but I have far less knowledge and experience of the situation in Australia. Having this opportunity to connect and think about the parallels between these two colonized lands is really special. I am extremely grateful to Janet Hunt and Brad Riley for supporting my research and for the opportunity to work on such an amazing, forward looking project.

Working from Home

This is my humble workspace! After several zoom meetings interrupted by my attention-seeking cat, I decided to move to a space where I could close the door. The natural light helps me focus and keep positive.

I have found time management one of my main challenges under COVID-19. Because I normally like to leave the house to study or work, I find it difficult to stay in the same place for long periods of time. I have found myself switching up my work environment by working on the porch or at the dining table. I also make it a point of trying to go outside at least once a day, either by tending to my garden or going for a bike or run to the river. This helps me keep perspective on the greater world around me.

Niwiidanokiimaa ogimaakaanag

By Anna Huard, 1st year MDP student

When I first looked over my potential field placement options, I was overwhelmed by the vast list. Being born and raised in Winnipeg (Treaty 1 territory), I felt the need to stay in the Prairies for the placement. Although staying in the comfort of home was alluring, the more significant reasoning for this desire stems from my concern for the Indigenous population here in Manitoba. As someone who is part of Canada’s most vulnerable (a First Nations woman), I am passionate about improving the current state of affairs - especially within “The Most Racist City in Canada”. Winnipeg may be going through a tough time, but it is home to me. And this is where I believe we must do development differently; therefore, I wanted to work with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC).

CBC's Rosanna Deerchild (L) interviewing AMC's Marcel Balfour (R) on the 60s Scoop and the open adoption records in Manitoba

Within the first few weeks at the AMC, I was immersed in an environment where rest was not an option. I was so grateful to be taken under the wing of several, very hard-working individuals who showed me the ropes. Currently, I am working closely with the Families First Foundation Inc., which was initiated by the AMC to support the families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). On June 20th, we hosted Canada’s largest Blanket Dance (14 donated star blankets were sewn together, and carried from the UW to The Forks) and were able to raise over $5,000.

Blanket dance hosted by Families First Foundation

I have also been working with the Manitoba Indigenous Adoptees Coalition, which is a support forum for Indigenous children who became wards of the Child Welfare system from 1950 to 1990, also known as the Sixties Scoop. We are currently working on an event we are hosting towards the end of July at the UW called Connecting Our Spirits – a three-day strategic information and sharing session aimed at understanding the complexities and priorities of Indigenous Child Welfare issues in Manitoba.

 I was granted the opportunity to attend several events, such as the release of the open adoption records at the Legislature Building, several pipe ceremonies hosted by Grand Chief Derek Nepinak, and sharing circles with passionate Elders. I am pleased to see how dedicated the AMC is in incorporating Indigenous values into their work environment.

Research and AMC

By Samantha Clarke, 1st year MDP student

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has been a tremendous learning experience. Located in downtown Winnipeg, I have been privileged to be a part of a variety of meetings, projects and collaborate with some amazing and knowledgeable people. Not only has being able to work at AMC been beneficial to my overall experience in the MDP program, but the practice has demonstrated the activism of the governing body that maintains and preserves First Nations solidarity in accordance to the collective will of the First Nations’ themselves. In class, we continually learn the importance of one fundamental principle of successful development and prosperity for the future of Indigenous communities; to support and foster collaboration and initiative at the community level. 

In terms of projects I have been involved in while at the AMC include: the First Nations Regional Health Survey (FNRHS), First Nations Regional Early Childhood, Education and Employment Survey (FNREES), and the Upskilling Project. Moreover, I have had first hand experience of seeing the implementation and upholding to the O.C.A.P.™ principles which are fundamental to the way ethical research is required to be conducted to move forward with research involving First Nations peoples. 

 

Apart of my work with the REEES surveys, I was given the opportunity to collect data in the field. Currently, I am preparing to assist with the facilitation of a two day workshop on training field data collectors from various First Nations communities across Manitoba. Next, I will travel to two different tribal councils to conduct focus groups in order to collect data using a strength-based approach on what has been previously occurred in communities and how they imagine successful research could be conducted for the future. 

Ultimately the Upskilling project tool kit will be created (with the direction of the community) and will assist in the implementation, ownership and control of research being conducted by/for the community(s) involved.Working at the AMC has fostered the opportunity for collaboration and continues to offer valuable feedback for various projects and initiatives that work towards positive change on not only a regional level, but nationally as well. Being a part of this organization is nothing short of an amazing opportunity and I am grateful and enjoying every minute of it. For more information on the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs please refer to their website: http://www.manitobachiefs.com/. Thank you.

Leona Star, AMC (L), Samantha Clarke (C), Jaime Cidro, UWinnipeg professor (R)