In the coming units, we will explore the ways that people living in unique Indigenous communities are addressing the diverse challenges that they face as a result of settler colonialism. Importantly, we will focus on strategies and practices of Indigenous resurgence, here introduced and explained by Gerald Taiaiake Alfred in his 2013 Narrm Oration at the University of Melbourne. The concept of Indigenous resurgence examines how people living in local communities are working to address challenges, take on opportunities, and build on the many resources that they hold.
In the context of this course, we will look at how Indigenous peoples are leveraging tools – and in particular, digital networks and technologies – to meet their needs in many different ways. As creative and productive individuals and communities, Indigenous peoples are demonstrating new ways that we can shape technologies to support community and economic development. No matter our background and experience, we have a lot to learn from these innovations.
We will also continue to highlight the impacts of various policies, laws, and regulations on people living in Indigenous communities today. Settler colonialism is still in place, and impacts the lives of everyone living in Canada – whether we are located in cities or remote towns; southern or northern regions. As Dr. Palmater writes, given the historic and ongoing impacts of these processes:
“It should be no surprise, then, that First Nations have gone from being the richest people in the world to the most impoverished, as their lands, resources, and ways of being were stolen from them. Today, Canada may be full of apologies and regrets, but the fact remains that federal laws and policies not only put First Nations in their current state of extreme poverty, but …[also] keep them in that state” (pp.112-3).
While historical conditions created the dependency relationships that started these conditions, current laws and policies maintain the crisis. However, Indigenous communities have many resources and strengths – both historic and contemporary – that they are using in many creative ways. Palmater writes:
“The indigenous nations of what is now known as Canada have long thrived in their rich, vibrant cultures with their own languages, customs, and traditions, while developing complex governments, laws, and political structures. They prospered from their vast territories, careful management of natural resources, and strategic use of inter-tribal trading networks” (p.112).
In the coming units we will focus on how First Nations are governing themselves and creating strong, prosperous, thriving communities. With access to equitable funding and First Nations jurisdiction, communities are taking control of key areas like health, education, justice, and child welfare. We will focus on these positive developments of Indigenous resurgence, with a specific eye to the role and potential of new technologies to support this work.
Palmater, P. D. (2011). Stretched beyond human limits: death by poverty in first nations.(Report). Canadian Review of Social Policy, 65–66, 112.