In Learning Lab #3, we welcomed two experts, Satsan (Herb George), a Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief of the Frog Clan and Founder and President of the National Centre for First Nations Governance (now the Centre of First Nations Governance), and Amsey Maracle, Co-Executive Director of the Centre for First Nations Governance. This non-profit organization supports First Nations governments working to leave behind the Indian Act administration, with Satsan having devoted much of his life to championing the rights of First Peoples through the Canadian legal system.

Experts brought change makers through empathy mapping exercises – taking a deep dive into the constitution, the Indian Act, Section 35 and how to lead the future with care, reciprocity, respect and understanding.  We thought of partner communities often and fellow change makers from remote First Nations in NW Ontario as we worked through exercises about inherent rights and what that looks like for the people, the land, the resources, governance systems and language. It was deep learning and difficult conversations both necessary and constructive on our shared path toward reconciliation and leadership.

Part One: The Five Pillars of Inherent Rights

– During the first part of the Learning Lab, we learned about the Five Pillars of Inherent Rights.

The People

The Land

The Language

Jurisdiction & Laws

The Resources

– Following the discussion with Satsan, Change Makers worked through an exercise to discuss each of the five pillars using knowledge from our own individual backgrounds. 

1. Who were you as a people?
2. Where were you on the land? How did you protect the land?
3. What were your laws?
4. How did you govern your people and your territories?

Change Makers broke into smaller groups to envision responses to these questions, identifying the central roles each member has and how they relate back community in a time before contact. Through this exercise we discovered more about our unique strengths and gifts that contribute to the greater good of the community.

Part Two: The History of Colonialism and the Indian Act

In Part Two of the Learning Lab, we discussed the History of Colonialism and an overview of the Indian Act. It was an exploration that brought about deep feelings, and thought-provoking questions about our collective history and what our collective path ahead can be, can look like, can include.

We were challenged with the questions: “Have you read the Indian Act?” “What do you think was the original intent of the Indian Act and did it fulfill its purpose?”

These were difficult truths to unravel as a group, opening our minds and hearts to different perspectives – an equally challenging exercise for many First Nations communities as well, Satsan said, as many of us don’t actually know the Indian Act. Change Makers acknowledged the importance of self-education on the Indian Act and reflected on how the second exercise proved to be much more challenging due to the ongoing impact the Act has had and continues to have on the lives of Indigenous peoples. 

Part Three: Case Law and Section 35

Reclamation and Healing

In the final part of the Learning Lab, we focused on Case Law and Section 35, exploring the historical struggle for recognition of Aboriginal & Treaty Rights. After regaining the right to self-governance, Change Makers through another empathy mapping exercise, expressed the sense of empowerment Indigenous peoples would have felt to re-learn, heal, reconnect with their heritage and language, regain connectivity and reclaim what was lost. 

To learn more about the Centre for First Nations Governance and the support this organization provides to First Nation communities, visit https://fngovernance.org/.