Category Archives: Aboriginal Title and Rights

Gitxaala Nation Video Project

Posted on April 28, 2009 | Comments Off on Gitxaala Nation Video Project

For several years we have been engaged in producing videos as part of the research project. One of the outcomes is a documentary about Gitxaala Nation. The documentary reflects our, that is the production team’s, perspective. As a way to open the conversation we have taken four clips and posted them on a special web page unencumbered with our commentary.  After watching a clip viewers can then click through to discussion pages where they can add their thoughts and reflections or questions on the video clips.

Comments Off on Gitxaala Nation Video Project

Posted in Aboriginal Title and Rights, Fisheries, Forestry, Research Projects

BC government getting ready to massively restructure forest science funding and programs

Posted on March 30, 2009 | Comments Off on BC government getting ready to massively restructure forest science funding and programs

Rumours have been flying over the state of BC’s Forest Science Program.  Research grant funding was supposed to have been announced March 20th.  However no news has come forward formally.

PriceWaterhouseCooper staff had this to say March 30th (PwC administers the FSP reserach program):

There’s been a delay in sending notifications out to Full Proposal proponents for 20009/10 Call for Proposals, since we (PwC) had not been advised by the government about final project approval and the program budget for the next fiscal year. The notifications will be sent out to all proponents as soon as we receive the information from the government.

Sources close to the government administrators say that FIA-FSP has received word from the Province that its budgets are severely reduced for next year, across all fronts. This includes all committees, all advisory groups, all working groups, and all chairs. All these functions will now be handled internally, within the Province, until the economic climate improves. Effectively, that means these programs ceases to exist as of tomorrow midnight (March 31, 2009).

Sources suggest that discussions will be held in the near future to determine how the functions each committee & chair held will be carried out. There is, however, no idea who will be invited to these discussions.

It would seem that ten years after the Liberal government axed and transforemed Forest Renewal BC into a an industry led program that they have finally decidd to hand the entire program over to industry directly and to remove all aspects that do not meet industry demands.  I hope that this dire prediction is not correct.  However only time will tell.

Comments Off on BC government getting ready to massively restructure forest science funding and programs

Posted in Aboriginal Title and Rights, Forestry, News

In Defense of Anthropology

Posted on February 17, 2009 | Comments Off on In Defense of Anthropology

As an Indigenous person I have often been asked ‘why are you an anthropologist?’  The question is rooted in an Indiana Jones type image of anthropologist roving around the world stealing cultural objects and knowledge form indigenous peoples or ancient societies.  But it’s not a depiction of the real world practice of anthropology as I practice it.  Nor is it more than a shallow reflection of what anthropology may have been.  Anthropology has had a problematic history filled with warts and blemishes. Nonetheless, as we recognize the ills of the past we need to affirm and build upon the strengths of the present.

Continue reading →

Comments Off on In Defense of Anthropology

Posted in Aboriginal Title and Rights, Fieldschool, Research Projects