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)

Indigenous Development in Canada - Notes from Treaty 4 in southern Saskatchewan

By Dev Kashyap, 1st Year MDP Student

When I first started considering options for my University of Winnipeg Master’s in Development Practice (MDP) field placement it didn’t take me long to realize that for my domestic placement I wanted to apply what I had learned in a community or in communities that I had an existing connection within Treaty 4 of southern Saskatchewan, Canada. There were no other prospects that made me prouder; contributing and applying my knowledge to Canadian Indigenous communities in the mantra of “tending to your own backyard, before tending to the needs of your neighbour’s”.  I am proud to be doing my field placement in the community that was home to my Elder and “uncle” Art Kaiswatum, Piapot First Nation.

Road to Piapot First Nation

My field placement has allowed me to strengthen ties to a community close to where I grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan. I have come to understand and learn about the different aspects of development within Saskatchewan Plains Cree communities, focusing on economic development. In particular, my work has drawn me to learn about economic development as it relates to Piapot First Nation’s urban reserve in the city of Regina, and the different options available to the community as part of an effective and sustainable  long-term economic development strategy.

It is important to remember when working in development that things in the “real world” don’t revolve around the institution’s agenda and timeline. Things unfold in the developmental process around the needs, situation and pace of the communities for whom the efforts are intended. This has been an important reminder on my domestic field placement so far. It has helped maintain a good working relationship with Piapot First Nation, in terms of understanding  why objectives and timelines have been difficult to adhere to, and understandably so: Band elections were in the middle of my scheduled field placement.

It has been important to remain patient and overlook my own academic requirements and allow the community to move through the often intense process of political change through the democratic process. The challenge of uncertainty in terms of working within a time constraint has developed into an opportunity to spread my wings, and utilize my family’s network to take on additional work in the area of health with Ochapowace First Nation, also in Treaty 4. This opportunity utilizes my previous work experience to assist a community that has just gone through political change at the band governance level and is working to evolve it’s relationship with Health Canada in terms of health funding on-reserve. I am excited to be a part of the process in the coming weeks.

Miigwech.

Journey into Cree Culture

By Manna Sainju, 1st Year MDP student

I arrived at Blue Quills First Nations College (BQFNC or the College) on a clear Wednesday afternoon in May. As I entered the gate of the College, I felt mixed emotions of how I would be spending my summer at what used to be a former residential school for First Nations children up until 1971. Just the past semester, I had learnt about the brutal history and heart wrenching stories of survivors of residential schools. But, as I was taken around to be introduced to the staff and faculty of the college, I felt a great sense of hope, calmness and peace. As the Cultural Camp was just around the corner, everyone was busy with its preparation. The College hosts the annual Cultural Camp each spring where the college students and local community members participate in a series of cultural practices. I realized I was very lucky to be able to witness such a ceremony, and hoped I would take back a learning that had been passed down from the ancestors of this land. 

 

Tipis at Blue Quills Cultural Camp grounds

And indeed, it was a unique experiential learning for me as I participated in the Pipe Ceremonies, Chicken Dance Ceremonies and learnt from the Elders. I got a glimpse of the Cree worldview which looks at the entire existence as an unbroken whole. The Cree cultural practices respect the interconnectedness of all the elements in nature and seek for its people to live in harmony.   

The experience of being a part of the Camp will always remain with me. It has brought me closer to my spiritual aspect which I think is the goal of all traditional practices. And, in a way the indigenous practices work at the heart of it and creates a magical experience.  

The Cultural Camp was a perfect beginning for my field placement. I felt a sense of belonging and even greater will to learn and contribute. The College currently has numerous projects that continue to make it a leading post-secondary institution on Indigenous education. As a part of my field placement, I have been working on developing a workshop curriculum for the Indigenous Knowledge Mentorship Program and also developing a program that focuses on promoting trade and volunteerism between First Nations and Indigenous groups around the world.

Mino bimaadziyaang: We are living well!

By Kaitlyn Duthie-Kannikkatt, 1st year MDP student

 

What do you think about when you think of good food? Is it a favourite dish your grandma used to make? A fish caught fresh out of the lake and fried up over a cook fire? Maybe it’s as simple as a loaf of bread baked fresh and served with a melting pat of butter?

Food means many different things to people, but one thing that almost always rings true about good food is its link to culture. The foods that were important to us growing up, or that remind us of home, or that connect us with our ancestors in some way are the foods that make us feel most satisfied. They become more than just something we put in our bellies – they are nourishment for the soul, and they help sustain traditions and cultural practices that are critical to the survival of a people.

More often that not, those foods are the foods that keep us feeling healthy as well. For the White Earth Land Recovery Project in Northern Minnesota where I’m currently doing my placement, growing healthy community is closely linked to building sustainable food systems rooted in Anishinaabe culture and the traditions of this land.

 

Photo of School Mural from welrp.org

WELRP was formed some 25 years ago with a mission to facilitate the recovery of the original land base of the White Earth Indian Reservation while preserving and restoring traditional practices of sound land stewardship, language fluency, community development, and strengthening our spiritual and cultural heritage (www.welrp.org).

It’s done a lot of interesting work over the years to make this happen. It began Native Harvest – a native foods producer that sells locally grown and processed wild rice, maple syrup, corn, crafts, and a whole slew of other products made either in house or by local White Earth harvesters.  It started an Anishinaabe Seed Library to revive and protect native seeds and empower community members with the skills to grow them. It started the first Tribal Farm-to-School program, connecting schools on the reservation with local farmers to create healthier breakfast and lunch menus and to educate youth about the foods that are native to their home. The list could go on, and WELRP is an inspiring example of a community-rooted organization doing innovative work to assert tribal food sovereignty.

While I’m here, I’m working on developing a reworked USDA food pyramid that can be more relevant to the health and cultural context of the Anishinaabe on the White Earth Reservation and used as a tool for home and school menu planning. I’m also supporting a foodshed mapping project that is seeking to assess the current food growing, processing, and purchasing capacity of the reservation and reimagine land use policies for a more food sovereign community.

Kaitlyn

In between office hours, I’m serving hominy-bacon and three sisters soup at the White Earth Pow Wow, making bannock for a funders meeting, learning about edible bugs and Russian fish soup at the Wild Food Summit, planting fruit trees at the tribal college, and getting my hands dirty in my own garden that I’ve planted.

The diversity of the work and the sheer number of things going on is keeping me busy, and I couldn’t ask for a better placement. In just six weeks, I feel like I’ve learned so much – about the work of WELRP, about the White Earth community, and about living well. I can’t wait to see what the next few weeks have in store!

Mabrika!

By Gabrielle Heroux, 2nd year MDP student

Seaside in Roseau

It’s a stormy morning here in Crayfish River, one month into hurricane season, and one month away from the end of my field placement.  I am, as was Nathan, doing my practicum in the Kalinago Territory on the island of Dominica.  He covered a lot of the background in his blog post, so I won’t go over it again.

 

My work here has focused primarily on access to credit and funding.  Land in the Territory is communally owned and vested in the Kalinago Council on behalf of the people.  This ownership situation prevents individuals from using land as collateral, which means that most people are unable to get loans or credit from financial institutions.  This, in turn, limits opportunities to start or expand businesses, build or renovate a home, or otherwise undertake investment in their communities.

I’ve been participating in the development of a proposal for the creation of a credit facility dedicated to the Kalinago people.  Essentially, this would take the form of a loan to the Council, who would then issue loans to residents in priority areas (agriculture, housing, tourism, education, etc.).  I’ve also been researching alternative sources of funding (crowdfunding, for example) with the goal of developing a practical guide for those seeking capital.

  My experience outside of work has also been wonderful.  Dominica is superlatively beautiful, jaw-dropping views in every direction, an explosion of bright colours and lush nature.  I’ve met great people, from whom I’ve been fortunate to learn about this land, its history, and the communities here.  I have, for instance, gotten a bit of a crash course in local politics – elections for Chief and council are being held in the Territory on July 7, so that’s naturally been a source of much discussion.

My biggest challenge so far (other than dealing with giant bugs in my apartment) has been adjusting to life outside the city.  It’s been eye-opening.  Indeed, the same can be said about this entire experience so far.  I’m looking forward to finding out what my last month here will bring.

L'Escalier Tete-Chien, where once a great snake rose out of the ocean to make its home on the island