150 Years of Treaty: Prioritizing Nehiyawak Governance and Legal Systems for All
150 Years of Treaty: Prioritizing Nehiyawak Governance and Legal Systems for All
Abstract Submissions Closed
RC05 Racism, Nationalism, Indigeneity and Ethnicity (host committee)
Language: English
Session Type: Oral
This panel explores approaches to combat division in Indigenous-Settler relationships. Based in the context of Treaty 6 and Nêhiyawak (Plains Cree) worldviews, we use Treaty as an ethical framework for coexistence, accountability and care. We emphasize that Treaty is not just a historical document
but a living relationship that requires attention, respect, and active participation. This panel will cover topics of reconciliation, decolonization, and allyship, with a focus on how to approach challenging conversations with those who have yet to understand and those who think they understand. We explore how settlers can engage in these conversations without becoming defensive or defaulting to white saviourism, instead learning to sit with discomfort and approach
conversations with humility. This is vital for meaningful relationship-building in Indigenous Ways of Knowing because it requires unlearning deeply rooted colonial assumptions. Most importantly, we examine the importance of just listening and sharing what it means to be in Treaty within the territory we share.
By centering Indigenous voices and leadership this Indigenous and Settler panel brings together the importance of Nehiyawak traditional governance and what it means. Further, we look at how non-Indigenous people can act with Indigenous communities and leaders rather than for them. This includes learning to stand beside or behind Indigenous Peoples instead of taking centre stage, and prioritizing the traditional teachings and foundations of Treaty that Settler Canada has forgotten or blatantly ignored.
but a living relationship that requires attention, respect, and active participation. This panel will cover topics of reconciliation, decolonization, and allyship, with a focus on how to approach challenging conversations with those who have yet to understand and those who think they understand. We explore how settlers can engage in these conversations without becoming defensive or defaulting to white saviourism, instead learning to sit with discomfort and approach
conversations with humility. This is vital for meaningful relationship-building in Indigenous Ways of Knowing because it requires unlearning deeply rooted colonial assumptions. Most importantly, we examine the importance of just listening and sharing what it means to be in Treaty within the territory we share.
By centering Indigenous voices and leadership this Indigenous and Settler panel brings together the importance of Nehiyawak traditional governance and what it means. Further, we look at how non-Indigenous people can act with Indigenous communities and leaders rather than for them. This includes learning to stand beside or behind Indigenous Peoples instead of taking centre stage, and prioritizing the traditional teachings and foundations of Treaty that Settler Canada has forgotten or blatantly ignored.
Session Organizer: