Indigenous Studies Seminar Series: Kim Anderson

Let´s go to Nokom’s – grandma’s house - Revitalizing Indigenous Lands and Cultures in a Time of Reconciliation: Conversations with Canada

Kim Anderson, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Relationships at the University of Guelph
Diana Lewis, PhD,  Mi'kmaw of Sipekne’katik First Nation, Nova Scotia;
Cara Wehkamp,  PhD in Environmental Biology, Algonquin Anishinàbe;
Sarina Perchak, Master Student,
and students of University of Guelph, Ontario, Kanada.

Discussant: Kaisa Huuva, PhD Student Sámi studies, Dept of Language Studies, Umeå University 

The seminar is followed by a reception. 

Room: 1-0062 

Map: https://use.mazemap.com/#v=1&zlevel=1&center=17.628257,59.853513&zoom=18&campusid=49&sharepoitype=poi&sharepoi=395593

Abstract:

The territory now referred to as Canada has been populated by humans for a very long time, possibly as long as 130 000 years. European colonisation started in the 16 th century. In 1867 the Canadian federation was established, with the monarch of Great Britain as head of state.  The term Indigenous peoples (or Aboriginal peoples) refers to First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples. At the 2016 census by Statistics Canada, 1.67 million people identified as Indigenous,  almost 5 per cent of the Canadian population. 

This seminar will cover some of the revitalization practices of Indigenous peoples within Canada, with a focus on southern Ontario and from the perspectives of students and faculty associated with the University of Guelph. These practices are taking place in the era of “reconciliation” that was prompted by the 2015 release of final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada. The TRC issued 94 calls to action to address the legacy of colonization in Canada, and in particular, Indian residential schools. While the revitalization of Indigenous lands and cultures has been active among Indigenous peoples for more than half a century, the TRC has raised the discussion within Canada of how to move forward. The seminar will  be presentation and discussion about what it means to be working in this time, with a focus on making Indigenous space in urban and institutional environments through food sovereignty work, storytelling practices and the building of an Indigenous grandmother’s cabin in the university arboretum, Nokom’s house. “Nokom” is Ojibway for grandmother. Nokom’s house is planned as a site for students and the local Indigenous community, to feel at home,  nurtured, to rest. It is a space for relationship building. Students will be able to build relationships with the community through language, ceremonies, food, storytelling and animals around them. 

Explanations, links, courses: 
The term revitalization is the process of making something grow and develop again. This is of major importance for Indigenous people that have been forced into assimilation and  pushed towards forgetting/loosing their own languages, cultures, worldviews, livelihoods, relations etc.  

Read more about the 94 calls to action:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/truth-and-reconciliation-94-calls-to-action-1.3362258

Read about Nokom’s house at University of Guelph:
https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/like-a-grannys-cabin-u-of-g-to-build-24m-indigenous-lab-in-woods-4216761

Online free course on Indigenous  history, culture, tradition: ”Indigenous Canada”:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada

About Indigenous peoples in Canada:
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013785/1529102490303

About Kim Anderson: 
https://family.uoguelph.ca/people/kim-anderson