Category Archives: Module 3

Module 3- Tripartite Forum

http://www.tripartiteforum.com/

This forum serves as a place to resolve common concerns between the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq community and governments both at the provincial and federal level.  Created in 1997, the main purpose of the union is to create a common vision and set of goals that will support the various communities in being “vibrant Mi’kmaw communities through partnership, commitment and respect”.

What makes this website and the included documents and resources valuable is the constant focus on the need for all agencies (both indigenous and non-indigenous) to work together, collaborate, and respect others at all times.  Below is an image taken from the website that describes how all of the various committees within the forum are connected.  In connection to module’s 3 focus on aboriginal youth, notice the role/focus of youth within the diagram.  The main goal associated with youth are to ensure their success by scaffolding them during their path of life-long learning.  In doing so, the forum hopes to involve youth in community decision making and governance as well as to encourage active healthy living.

Image taken from the Mi'kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum 2006 Strategic Direction Document

Tripartite Forum : A partnership of: Mi’kmaq + Nova Scotia + Canada. Tripartite Forum : A partnership of: Mi’kmaq + Nova Scotia + Canada. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.tripartiteforum.com/

MIL

Mapuche International Link (MIL) is an organization that seeks for Mapuche self-determination and the right for their own development. It is inspired in the United Nations International Decade of World’s Indigenous Peoples (1994/2004) which was declared to focus world-wide attention on human rights violations, the destruction of environments and cultures, and the continuing struggle for recognition of indigenous people’s rights to their ancestral territories. Their goals are:

  • To raise awareness of indigenous peoples and their struggle for survival.
  • To use modern communications to inform the international community about indigenous cultures in particular Mapuche culture.
  • To develop contacts between Mapuche and European organizations.
  • To develop links between indigenous schools in Chile and Argentina , and schools in other countries.
  • To encourage European people to get involved in Mapuche communities’ activities.
  • To encourage sustainable tourism by providing up to date information on the culture, politics and economics of the Mapuche people.
  • To promote public awareness of all universally recognized international treaties and conventions adopted by the United Nations and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), which have a bearing on humanity and the rights of indigenous peoples.
  • To emphasize the contribution of the Mapuche to the rich cultural diversity of the world, through exhibitions, publications, regular visits to U.N conferences and other international forums.
  • To develop and maintain communications with other Mapuche groups and indigenous peoples of the world.

Meli Wixan Mapu

Meli Wixan Mapu is an organization that intends to build urban Mapuche politics and culture, within the framework of a general process of rescue and protection of our identity and territoriality. This organization declares that Mapuche people of Santiago are sons of a forced migration that happened during the nineteenth century, in the process known as Occupation of Araucanìa. Their primarily goal is not to avoid this situation and express their will for self-determination and land recovery. The site provides the stories of Mapuche activists that are prisoners in Chilean jails, publications, poetry, and videos, all in Spanish.

Indigenous voices

Indigenous Voices is a monthly series held at Bluestockings Bookstore. On the last Thursday of every month, visitors can find a diverse group of folks gathering for a discussion, film screening, reading, workshop/skill share, performances, and music. Hosted by WBAI’s Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Indigenous Voices is a monthly series about ethnic identity, sovereignty, and the possibilities for Indigenous peoples to direct their own destinies.

Media and resources from cultures of the Andes

  • Aymara’s Podcasts This is a site that offers music from the Andes in order to revive Aymara culture, history and music. The site provide information about Aymara’s musical instruments, dances, carnivals, etc. Visitors can hear podscats of Aymara music and see photographs about their traditions.
  • Andes.org contains information about American aboriginal cultures of The Andes. The site offers interesting information about poetry, dances and music. Visitors can access to songs, poems and dances explained in Quechua, English and Spanish.
  • Aymara Uta is a web site that intends to promote and diffuse Aymara knowledge, reflect and defend Aymaraheritage. The site is licensed by Opensource and GNU software. It offers a list of resources and websites related to Aymara culture, and a discussion forum about topics related to this Aboriginal community. Most of the resources offered by the site are in Spanish, but it offers a number of sources in English.
  • The “Institute of Aymara Language and Culture“, ILCA is a non-profit organization, founded by Juan de Dios Yapita (1972) to spread the Aymaralanguage and culture. It was legally recognized by the Ministry of Education and Culture in La Paz (Bolivia) on November, 1972. The center has long been one of the lonely ramparts of the disclosure of the Aymara language. It has major publications. Most of them are in PDF format for download on that site.
  • Marta J. Hardman-Bautista’s site. Marta J. Hardman-Bautista is an American linguist who is considered an authority on linguistic studies of  Aymara culture. During the 1960s, she began studying Jaqaru, a sister language of Aymara. Later, she founded the Aymara School at the University of Florida where she worked with brilliant disciples, some of them Aymara of birth. Aymara School  published many articles and important books about the Aymara culture.

Mapuche Documentation Center

Mapuche Documentation Center is a research program that provides resources, study material, and lines of research on social, political, cultural and intellectual life of the Mapuche people. Mapuche Documentation Center is organized on the basis of achieving the following objectives:

• Discuss sociological theories about development in relation to the problems facing indigenous peoples and the Mapuche people in particular.

• Providing mentoring and academic supervision for students who are interested in investigating the reality of indigenous peoples

• Encourage writing articles related to sociological research of indigenous peoples

• Assisting members of the network of collaborators and participants of Mapuche Documentation Center, Nuke Mapu in monitoring current debates and reflections by facilitating access to material from journals and updates on research.

Module 3- Out of the depths

This book recounts the residential schooling experience held by those who attended the school in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.  It discusses not only the experiences, but how such experiences have shaped the Mi’Kmaq culture in present day.  It is an important piece of information for any Nova Scotian for it outlines the trials and tribulations of an entire people.   In addition, it also has connections to the role of present day Aboriginal youth as noted in both the Fraser River Project and March Point Trailer as an explanation of the current state of youth.

Knockwood, Isabelle . Out of the depths: The Experiences of Mi’kmaw Childrn at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing, 2001. Print.

Canada’s Indigenous Languages in Crisis

Many reports and studies over the last 10 years indicate that most of Canada’s Indigenous languages are declining and are at risk of extinction. Onowa McIvor in 2009 reported that at first European contact there were an estimated 450 aboriginal languages and dialects, now there are only about 60 languages still spoken. Statistics Canada reported in 2001 that North American Indians with the ability to converse in their native language fell from 20% in 1996 to 16% in 2001.

The Assembly of First Nations in 2007 reported that there are only 3 First Nations languages expected to survive: Cree, Objibway and Inuktitut and in 1998 declared a state of emergency on First Nations languages. They also developed a National First Nations Language Strategy and a National First Nations Language Implementation Plan.

The Northwest Territories has the most advanced Aboriginal language legislation and policies in Canada supported by the 1984 Official languages Act. In 1999 the NWT Literacy Council published “Languages of the Land” A resource manual for individuals and communities interested in Aboriginal language development. In 2010, the Government of the NWT published an Aboriginal Languages Plan to set out a framework for strengthening their nine aboriginal languages over the next decade.

British Columbia has 32 of Canada’s First Nations languages and about 59 dialects. At the time of colonization in BC 100% of the First Nations people were fluent in at least one language. This number has dropped dramatically since the late 1800’s to just 5% today. The First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council published a report on the Status of BC First Nations Languages in 2010 with a real need to act to save and preserve what is left.

One common theme throughout all of these reports is to find opportunities for youth to connect and communicate in their native language with fluent speakers and elders. This can be done through immersion camps, language nests and other intergenerational ties.

Dechinta: Bush University Centre

Dechinta is a new concept in education rooted in indigenous knowledge and values. It offers a land-based University credited education led by northern elders, leaders, experts and professors to engage youth in transformative curricula. It is located near Yellowknife NWT, is off the grid and accessible only by float plane, snowmobile or dog team.

A video is available describing the Dechinta experience. CBC North did a special news story on Dechinta on June 22, 2011 highlighting the first semester. Dechinta was recently in the news at it was one of the premier stops that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Will and Kate) made while visiting Yellowknife on July 5, 2011.

Manitoba First Nations SchoolNet

Keeping with the theme of digital divide, today I introduce you to Manitoba First Nations SchoolNet.  Manitoba First Nations SchoolNet provides connectivity services, technical support, youth employment and other services to 84 First Nations Schools and 61 CAP sites in Manitoba.  Through this program, First Nations students can receive IC3 certification.  This initiative clearly works to combat the effects of the digital divide for the First Nations People of Manitoba.  Below is a companion video which discusses the unique challenges Manitoba First Nations have in overcoming the digital divide.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyn9M0Zurlc&feature=player_embedded#at=115[/youtube]