Exploring Cultural Connections and Advocacy: My Field Placement with the Manitoba Inuit Association

 By Alice Egbedeyi, 1st year MDP student

As a Master's in Development Practice (MDP) student, my field placement with the Manitoba Inuit Association (MIA) has been an incredibly enriching experience. Located in the heart of Winnipeg, MIA is an Indigenous non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the unique needs and evolving requirements of the Inuit living in Manitoba. My role within this organization was the Research and Development Officer and the projects I've been involved in have allowed me to gain valuable insights into the complexities of community development and cultural preservation.

My workplace at the Manitoba Inuit Association

 One of the central aspects of my role at MIA has been contributing to their ongoing housing project initiatives. This involved extensive research to provide evidence-based support for grant applications addressing the housing needs of the organization's community members. Through this project, I've gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the Inuit community in Manitoba and the importance of secure and adequate housing.

Apart from the housing project, I've also been privileged to support cultural appreciation programs within the organization and engage in community outreach activities. These experiences have allowed me to connect with the Inuit community on a personal level, gaining insights into their rich cultural heritage and the chalenges they face.

In action, engaging with community

One of the most rewarding aspects of my field placement has been the opportunity to directly implement the academic knowledge and skills I've gained to my work with MIA. The MDP program provided me with a solid foundation in development practice, and applying this knowledge in a real-world context has been immensely rewarding.

In conclusion, my field placement with the Manitoba Inuit Association has been a transformative experience. It has allowed me to immerse myself in the Inuit culture, engage in meaningful advocacy work, and apply the principles of development practice to make a positive impact in the community. This experience has reinforced my commitment to working towards sustainable development and social justice, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the vital work of the Manitoba Inuit Association.

Working for PILC from Home

By Kate Robb, 1st year MDP student

My first field placement is with the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), an independent office of Legal Aid Manitoba. PILC represents groups and individuals on a variety of issues affecting the environment, Indigenous peoples, human rights, and consumers. Although it was disappointing that I was unable to undertake my original field placement due to the pandemic, I was excited to have the opportunity to work with PILC this summer. I was already familiar with the work they do, as I took a course taught by two of the lawyers during my undergraduate degree, and assisted with an event they co-organized this past March.

The project I am working on for PILC is related to the Augmented Flow Program, which allows Manitoba Hydro to deviate from the operating conditions set out in the Interim License of the Churchill River Diversion. I have been reading a range of studies and reports and organizing and summarizing them in a way that will allow the PILC team to easily access the most relevant information when they need it. The impacts of the Augmented Flow program directly affect both the environment and First Nations communities in northern Manitoba, therefore I have been able to apply a lot of my learning from my undergraduate degree in environmental studies as well as my first year in the MDP program.

Team PILC-MDP Zoom meeting

Undertaking my field placement remotely has been an interesting experience. I've had to work on improving my time management skills in order to stay focused while working at home every day. We have been having Zoom meetings every Monday and Thursday to check in and update everyone on our progress, which has been a helpful way of staying accountable.

I'm looking forward to continuing my work on this project over the next several weeks! 

Work from home

All My Relations: Building Connections in South Australia

By Taylor Wilson, 1st year MDP student

Before I start this blog post, I would first like to acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region, where the SAHMRI building is located; I recognize the Kaurna peoples cultural, spiritual, physical and emotional connection with their land.  I honour and pay my respects to Kaurna elders, both past and present, and all generations of Kaurna people, now and into the future. I also pay respect to and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from other parts of Australia, and their connection to country. I want to say thank you to the warm welcome I received from every single Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and non-Indigenous person I have met here and for allowing me to come to their home and work with them.  

SAHMRI building, Adelaide, South Australia

Six weeks into my placement at Wardliparingga, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute’s (SAHMRI) Aboriginal Research Unit, and I can safely say that this group of people have exceeded all expectations I had for coming to work here. Thanks to Implementation Science theme leader, Dr. Natasha Howard, I have been exposed to the various projects and academics that make up the unit. From the Aboriginal Diabetes Study (the first and largest of its kind) to the Barngarla Language Project. Then you have incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholars like Dr. Odette Pearson who works on understanding how policies and practices drive Indigenous health inequities; Dr.’s Karla and Kootsy Canuto who work in health promotion and Aboriginal men’s health (respectively); and theme leader, Dr. Alex Brown, an Aboriginal medical doctor who holds the unit together and pushes them to be the best Indigenous academics they can be. Not to mention all the incredibly talented up and coming young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are working tirelessly on these projects as research assistants, administrative assistants, project officers, and so on. It’s incredible to see a team so steadfast in their Indigeneity along with non-Indigenous team members so supportive of their Indigenous colleagues.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health, much like Indigenous health in Canada, is a vast sea of systemic issues and barriers, but the passion and fight that the Wardliparingga team has to make a difference and change the lives and circumstances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ is inspiring and commendable.

Damper - traditional bread

When I first arrived, I have to say I was nervous. Being Indigenous, but from another part of the world, I wondered if I would feel as connected here as I do at home. Being connected to land and people is what keeps me grounded, so would I feel the same here? During National Reconciliation Week (May 27 - June 3, 2019), the theme was “Grounded in Truth, Walking Together with Courage,” with the underlying theme of relationship building and connecting in a shared understanding. As I got to know more people, had more conversations around who I was and who they were, I began to feel more connected. I learned that their connection to the land and their language was just as important as my own. I learned that health inequities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are incredibly similar to those we face in Canada and get to share insights and discuss Indigenous-led solutions. I got to share food with them and enjoy some traditional foods like damper (much like bannock from home), watch and listen to traditional Kaurna performances, and share stories of what it’s like being Indigenous where we are each from.

I am learning more than just the academic things I do at Wardliparingga. I am building more than just networks. I am only half way through my placement, and I am looking forward to what else I have to learn and sharing more of who I am with the people here.

Jack Buckskin and Dance Co. at the Gawler Reconciliation Event

Taking Action: Executive Leadership Program

By Erika Vas, MDP student

 

As we head into the holiday break and into 2019, I have had a chance to reflect on the past year. My learning journey has taken me many places, including Toronto, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation, Bannock Point Petroforms in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Roseau River First Nation, Brokenhead Wetland Interpretive Trail, Peguis First Nation, New York, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. I’m thankful for all these opportunities and most of all for the people I’ve met along the way.

Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR)

Another highlight of 2018 was completing my domestic field placement in Winnipeg. I had the opportunity to work with the University of Winnipeg and more closely with the Canadian Museum for HumanRights (CMHR). Having worked for the Visitor Experience and Engagement team in the Boutique at the CMHR, I was glad to partner with other departments and staff and work more closely with senior management. 

During this placement, I co-created and assisted in the delivery of the first-ever Human and Indigenous Rights Executive in Residence Program in Canada designed primarily to equip government, corporate, and public leaders with a broad understanding of Indigenous and human rights leadership principles to help business executives and organizational leaders shape respectful workplace cultures.

Program workshop in session

The program was created in response to an expressed need from business and organization leaders on how to best foster inclusive and respectful workplaces. In particular, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action were fundamental in the formation of the program, especially Call to Action #92 which addresses the need for businesses to apply the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). With Canada’s acceptance of UNDRIP and its commitment to honouring and implementing the TRC’s Calls to Action, the Executive Leadership Program is practical and important to creating a better future for all Canadians.

Details of the program included:

•  a 6-day unique & immersive executive learning experience
• government, corporate, & public leaders (9 participants)   
•  shaping perspectives & applying human rights leadership principles in the workplace
•  presentations & discussions with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers & Elders, community leaders, activists, educators, & human rights scholars      
• exploration of relevant, interactive museum exhibits for in-gallery learning

This field placement allowed me to draw from my previous work experience at the University of Lethbridge and my community and volunteer involvement with organizations such as Amnesty International. Some of my responsibilities included:  

CMHR office space

• Co-creating program content, schedule, speaker line-up, venue booking, & special events such as a public keynote event & private reception;
• Liaising between the UW, CMHR, & featured speakers in coordinating all program activities;
• Creating the comprehensive participant pre-departure & welcome packages;
• Writing event descriptions (program content, public keynote event, etc.);
• Assisting cohort throughout the duration of the program;
• Daily PhotoVoice PowerPoint presentations;
• Photo documentation throughout the duration of the program;
• Final report completion; 
• Community Engagement & Relationships module  

  

Erika Vas (L) & Sarah Watkins (CMHR mentor)

The program was successful and much of that can be attributed to the knowledgeable lineup of speakers who were featured during the week. It was a privilege being able to incorporate teachings from the MDP Program, my human rights interests, and to work with the Winnipeg community to bring this program to life. It was a pleasure getting to know the participants, incorporate organizations such as Meet Me at The Bell Tower, and to help others come to understand the importance of human and Indigenous rights. This was a wonderful learning experience and wouldn’t have been possible without the friendship, support, and mentorship from those around me.