Governance

 This workshop offers a comprehensive overview of the historical and ongoing impacts of Canadian policies on Indigenous peoples. We'll explore the establishment and management of Reserve lands, initially overseen by the Department of the Interior and later by the Department of Indian Affairs, and how these policies, alongside the policing efforts of the North-West Mounted Police, profoundly disconnected Indigenous communities from their traditional territories. This forced confinement and the requirement for written permission to leave reserves drastically limited traditional harvesting, severed cultural ties to the land and water, and hindered economic self-sufficiency.

Furthermore, we'll delve into the intricacies of Indigenous governance, highlighting the distinct roles and responsibilities of both elected councils, often an extension of federal frameworks like Indigenous Services Canada, and traditional leadership bodies rooted in inherent systems such as the 'Namima (clan) system. Understanding these multifaceted governance structures is key to fostering meaningful engagement and collaboration.