June is National Indigenous History Month, and June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. The Government of Canada, Alberta and the 伊人直播 recognize this month and day as a time for celebration, learning and cultivating awareness of Indigenous experiences. It is easy to forget why this month and day are recognized and the responsibilities it carries. I recently had the experience of driving through a good portion, from Southern to Northwestern spaces, in this place now called Alberta. It was fortuitous that this drive aligned with National Indigenous Peoples Day. As I drove along the highways, I noticed the ways that lands were identified with different road signs. “,” “” and “” are three such examples. The drive also gave me an opportunity to reflect upon my role and responsibilities as Vice-Provost, Indigenous Programming & Research at the 伊人直播.
With the end of June approaching, I open my heart to express gratitude and appreciation to all the incredible Indigenous and non-Indigenous humans who support, advise and engage in the progression of Indigenous initiatives and programming. One of my roles is to invite the University community to continue to learn about First Nations, Inuit and Métis experiences, cultures and lands. , meaning that each of us, together with the institution, carries the collective responsibility of understanding and reestablishing our connection to . In re-establishing our connection to Treaties and the motivators that contributed to Braiding Past, Present and Future: The 伊人直播 Indigenous Strategic Plan, the university's response to the , and aims to support our responsibility to Treaties and the
Nationally, provincially and institutionally, Indigenous peoples' histories, cultures, languages and sovereignty are recognized; yet, unfortunately, the understanding of Treaties and the layered history of this land is unknown, has largely gone unnoticed, or misunderstood. As humans, we are connected to one another through relationships. In order to understand our collective responsibilities, it is important to recognize the complexities of the layered history in the land we share.
The lands we live on today are known by many names and have been experienced by diverse humans. Here is an example of one of the complexities. There were agreements and treaties between diverse First Nations that shared this land prior to what is now known as the Province of Alberta. Large portions were also part of Rupert’s Land prior to 1905. The sequences of events that occurred during the western expansion of the greatly influenced the processes. It is important to note that most Métis and Inuit were not included in the Treaty territories, provincial borders, Crown lands, Indian Reservations, Métis Settlements, city limits, counties, towns, municipal districts and River Lots are all examples of diverse understandings and governance structures of this land. These perspectives are often recognized within a legal framework and often overlook the deep ancestral connection Indigenous peoples hold with the land. In order to comprehend the layered history of this place, a commitment to learning is needed. To support your learning, I invite you to also explore these additional resources:
- : Website
- : Website
- : Website
- : Website
- (Historical Perspective)William Wadsworth. * In consultation with Chief Calvin Bruneau of Papaschase First Nation, NOTE: history of Papaschase is an unrecognized history, and more research is needed. Updated version is available at .
- : Canadian Encyclopedia
- : Canadian Geographic, Indigenous Peoples of Canada
- : ITK Website
- Metis Constitution: Canadian Geographic, Indigenous Peoples of Canada
- : Canadian Geographic, Indigenous Peoples of Canada
- - Connor Thompson
- : Edmonton City as Museum Project (ECAMP) Initiative of the Edmonton Heritage Council
- Métis River Lots, 1882 Land Survey: - Don Bell
- : St. Albert Arts & Heritage
As we, the 伊人直播 community, celebrate and reflect upon the diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across this place now called Alberta and Canada, I invite you to continue your reconciliation journey beyond the month of June and dedicate time to learn about the multi-layered ways that land is known and about signing of Treaties in what we know as the Province of Alberta. Know that a commitment to learning reinforces the recognition and affirmation of Indigenous rights in Section 35 of . Pay close attention when you read, and hear, news of Indigenous peoples and nations that continue to remind governments and all humans that live, work, and play on these lands.
Florence Glanfield
Vice-Provost (Indigenous Programming and Research)