*Unit 11: Indigenous Perspective and Impact

Question 1

Who are the Indigenous peoples of Canada? Why is it important for non-Indigenous people to have knowledge and understanding of them?

Answer 1

There are over 600 first nations in the land known as Canada or about 5% of the population. They have endured over 120 years of colonization, cultural genocide, societal discrimination, and systemic oppression which continues today. They are disproportionately negatively impacted by economic and industrial development and over-represented below the poverty level. Non-Indigenous people must have knowledge and understanding of this history and recognize the valuable contributions of Indigenous people to promote healing, support reconciliation, and to build enriched and sustainable communities for all people on this land.

Question 2

What is the importance of world view to the practice of leadership in the 21st century?

Answer 2

Acknowledgement and understanding of different world views in decision-making is key to integrating diverse points of view. Transformational leadership is rooted in and aligns with Indigenous leadership. Both are transformational, collaborative, and consultative. An Indigenous world view

Question 3

What is the impact of UNDRIP On the federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments?

Answer 3

UNDRIP has been believed to be a starting point for discussion of how to govern differently with regard to Indigenous Peoples. UNDRIP alongside the TRC Report and Calls to Action provide a new framework for all levels of government in Canada and Indigenous governments to work together.

Question 4

Describe the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. What is one piece of new learning in the TRC report for you as an individual? What are your thoughts about the calls to action?

Answer 4

The commission had a different tactic and goal than government commissions. They began a momentum outside of government which pressured government to keep up.
One piece of learning or realization for me was consolidating the facts of the timeline and ignorance of the Canadian population to these facts.
One of the most startling revelations within this document for me was that these weren’t operated as schools but virtually were free labour camps meant to force a lower working class that conformed to society as idealized by colonial settlers.
I think these calls to action are necessary within a reformist perspective to begin to make changes for Indigenous people today but that transformational change in governance systems needs to occur to fully recognize, appreciate, and integrate Indigenous world views into society.

Question 5

Describe three similarities between Indigenous leadership and transformational leadership.

Answer 5

Both are transformational, collaborative, and consultative. They promote listening and diversity of thought.

“Transformational leadership does not set out to alter organizational structures, but rather to change outcomes through design and delivery of services along with public perception, attitudes, and actions” (Course Content).

Question 6

World view

Answer 6

1. The way a person perceives the world.
2. Significant because the dominant/Western world view is hierarchal whereas an Indigenous world view is not.
3. World view impacts decision-making of leadership in all sectors of governance as integration of a diverse perspectives ensures more effective decision-making.

Question 7

UNDRIP

Answer 7

1. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a global commitment to recognize and respect the diversity and inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples. In 2007 the Declaration was signed by all major countries except Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and USA who all signed by 2010.
2. Considers the unique rights of Indigenous peoples in the wake of colonialism and considers their valuable contributions to a rich and diverse society (United Nations, 2018).
3. Despite the acknowledgement and signing of UNDRIP by countries, meaningful implementation has yet to be seen. The signing of this declaration is voluntary and is not enforceable, thus it has been seen as symbolic versus actionable in some places.

Question 8

Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
TRC Calls to Action

Answer 8

1. The TRC was established to reveal to Canadians the complex truth about the history and the ongoing legacy of church run-residential schools & the Calls to Action “[urge] all levels of government — federal, provincial, territorial and aboriginal — to work together to change policies and programs in a concerted effort to repair the harm caused by residential schools and move forward with reconciliation” (CBC).
2. This commission, the report and subsequent calls to action are significant in bringing to light the historic and ongoing oppression of Indigenous Peoples. Specifically the hidden history of the residential school system and the ongoing effects of this. Shifts the ways in which government and society view Indigenous Peoples. Leadership must take steps to restore trust and reconcile with the atrocities they have caused and enabled and continue to implement. Recognition of Indigenous rights and acknowledgment of Indigenous culture, language, and traditional knowledge and integration of this knowledge through consultation with Indigenous leaders is imperative to the implementation of these calls to action.
3. Despite this report, just 13 of the 94 calls to action have been completed as of 2024.

Question 9

Treaties

Answer 9

1. Agreements between the federal government/the commonwealth and First Nations. Treaty making was for the purpose of the federal government gaining access to land and resources in the West and the North that belonged to Indigenous peoples. 1870 first treaty was signed. They were signed with those the government recognized as “Indians” doesn’t include Metis or Inuit people.
   All the Indian requests were for schools in their communities in exchange for title to the territory. But, provision for local schools with local administration was abandoned in favour of residential schools to Christianize/”civilize” the Indigenous population.
2. Significant as these treaties have shaped Canadian and Indigenous governance by separating Indigenous people from the same rights of other citizens.
3. Leadership need to understand how these treaties were developed, their interpretations, and the failure of the federal government to uphold their end of the bargain. This will inform future decision making and contributes to the necessity for the recognition, consultation, and integration of Indigenous perspectives. Despite this, the treaties have yet to be honoured or revised in favour of Indigenous communities.

Question 10

Nation to Nation

Answer 10

1. “Relationship based on recognition, rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership” between the federal government and Indigenous peoples (Justin Trudeau).
2. This represents “a fundamental change in approach from dealing with Indigenous people as wards of the state versus members of a nation that is in a bilateral relationship with the federal government” (course content).
3. Despite the statement of the commitment to working bilaterally with First Nations, transformational change has not occurred at the federal/constitutional level and Indigenous people still face deep seeded systemic oppression from confederation.

Question 11

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis

Answer 11

1. There are over 600 First Nations across Canada, 40 language groups and many distinct cultures. Inuit live in Arctic Canada or Nunangat (the place where Inuit live). The Métis are a distinct group of Indigenous people rather than the common misperception that they are people with one parent of European ancestry.
2. Issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada are as diverse as the people themselves.
3. As businesses, institutions, and governments implement land acknowledgements these are superficial and there is little recognition of the fact that Indigenous peoples in Canada are not homogenous.

Question 12

Colonization

Answer 12

1. Efforts of a new government to command and control Indigenous populations to assimilate them into a dominant “civilized” culture through occupation of lands, cultural oppression, private and public service interactions, and laws.
2. Colonization and the rights of Indigenous Peoples are being recognized world wide. These are also pressing issues in the Canadian context particularly since the federal recognition of ongoing cultural genocide.
3. Despite these pressing issues colonization is alive and well in Canada. Meaningful efforts by leadership to dismantle colonization and ongoing oppression of Indigenous peoples in Canada have yet to be implemented and societal perspectives of Indigenous peoples have not improved.

Question 13

Assembly of First Nations

Answer 13

1. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern (afn.ca).
2. Indigenous rights, truth and reconciliation are pressing concerns in Canada and AFN holds knowledge, experience, and understanding of these issues beyond the capacities of non-Indigenous government leaders.
3. AFN officials lobby MPs, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials to make sure its positions are considered in the formulation of government policy. Engagement with AFN is significant in collaborative and consultative efforts of the public sector to support these issues.