Community Knowledge at the Core

By Erika Vas, MDP student

 

Boozhoo, Tansi, Aaniin, Wotziye, Ho/Han, Tanshi, Asujutilli, Hello!

Michael Redhead Champagne & Erika Vas Photo Credit link

As mentioned in my previous blog post, I completed my domestic field placement working with University of Winnipeg (UW) and Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) co-creating and assisting in the delivery of the first-ever Human and Indigenous Rights Executive in Residence Program in Canada. A key component of this program were the featured presenters both local and national, some of whom I knew personally. The relationships I have made during my studies have been foundational in my life in Winnipeg. The support and mentorship from individuals has allowed me to become a part of some amazing communities, and to learn from and with them. These people have made Winnipeg feel a lot more like home. Through my work in creating and implementing the Executive Leadership Program, I hoped that I could share with the participants some of my learnings and experiences from these communities.

Program participants during Indigenous Day Live Round Dance Photo credit: Trevor Hagan (Winnipeg Free Press)

A highlight of the placement was my responsibility for planning and organizing a line-up of speakers to complement the curriculum and modules. I am grateful to the individuals I’ve met during my time in Lethbridge and Winnipeg who presented at the program and demonstrated what “leading by example” could look like in a wide range of areas. The significant contributions of Theodore and Morgan Fontaine, Michael Redhead Champagne, Jenna Liiciious, Mitch Bourbonniere, and Alex Neve contributed to the program’s success and presented several experiential learning opportunities in the community. Together, the participants had the opportunity to learn from these leaders about Residential Schools, Truth and Reconciliation, Leadership and Engagement, and Human and Indigenous Rights and Intersectionality.

The “Community Engagement & Relationships” module, which I was responsible for creating, drew from community capacity and the expertise of those in the community. It consisted of engaging with community and learning how to establish relationships based on respect, relevance, reciprocity and responsibility. This included a panel conversation about leadership and community engagement with Michael Redhead Champagne, Jenna Liiciious, and Mitch Bourbonniere, local leaders who are making a difference in the community, nationally, and internationally. To take learning beyond the walls of the museum, the participants also had an evening outing to Meet Me at the Bell Tower in Winnipeg’s North End. They were welcomed by Michael, Jenna, Aboriginal Youth Opportunity (AYO!) leaders, and community members. 

Meet Me at the Bell Tower

Meet Me at the Bell Tower was created to foster a greater sense of community in Winnipeg’s North End. Every Friday at 6pm, rain, snow, or shine, the community comes together to explore a wide range of issues such as child and family welfare, violence, racism, education and reconciliation. The Executive Leadership participants had an opportunity to be a part of the community, observe youth leadership, participate in the Bell Tower raffle, and assist with kitchen activities.

While this program was a memorable for participants, it was a memorable time for me as well. It marked my first summer in Winnipeg and gave me so many opportunities to learn from and with participants, presenters, and community and create new friendships. It is opportunities in the MDP Program such as this domestic field placement that have influenced my learning journey and lead me to new paths.  

To all of you who have helped me along the way, I am forever grateful.

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  

  

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.

 

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