Indigenous Involvement in the Heritage Resource Management Industry in Southern Ontario: Conversations with Three Nations
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Indigenous Involvement in the Heritage Resource Management Industry in Southern Ontario: Conversations with Three Nations by Christian Meier B.A. (Anthropology), University of Waterloo, 2014 Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Archaeology Faculty of Environment © Christian Meier 2020 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2020 Copyright in this work rests with the author. Please ensure that any reproduction or re-use is done in accordance with the relevant national copyright legislation. Approval Name: Christian Meier Degree: Master of Arts Title: Indigenous Involvement in the Heritage Resource Management Industry in Southern Ontario: Conversations with Three Nations Examining Committee: Chair: Dana Lepofsky Professor George Nicholas Senior Supervisor Professor Gary Warrick Supervisor Associate Professor Indigenous Studies and History Programs Wilfred Laurier University John Welch Internal Examiner Professor Date Defended/Approved: April 23, 2020 ii Ethics Statement iii Abstract In southern Ontario, heritage preservation and protection are mandated under provincial provisions but there has been little involvement of Indigenous nations whose ancestral (i.e., archaeological) sites are the focus of the heritage resource industry. This study investigated and sought solutions to Indigenous concerns about heritage control and archaeological mitigation practices, and identified various Indigenous roles in the heritage resource management industry. Interviews were conducted with representatives from three Indigenous nations in southern Ontario: 1) the Anishinabek; 2) the Haudenosaunee; and 3) the Huronne-Wendat. Interview analysis was conducted using NVivo analysis software to transcribe and compartmentalize interview data allowing for an in-depth analysis of the semi-structured interviews. The analysis of results allowed for generalizations but also incorporated many participants’ unique perspectives. Participant’s responses contributed to developing a set of recommendations of full Indigenous nation inclusion in archaeological assessments in southern Ontario through the implementation of Indigenous-oriented approaches based on relationship building between archaeologists and Indigenous nations. Keywords: Indigenous Involvement; Heritage Resource Management; Archaeological legislation iv Acknowledgements I take this opportunity to acknowledge the individuals and Indigenous nations who made this possible. I am grateful to the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and Huronne-Wendat Nations who approved my study and the participants who were willing to share their thoughts and experiences in Ontario HRM. I am indebted to my supervisor George Nicholas for his guidance and efforts in helping me complete this thesis; without his support and vision I would not have been able to complete this study. I also appreciate the assistance provided by committee member Gary Warrick for reviewing and encouragement through the thesis process. Finally, I thank my family and friends, most especially my parents for their love and support and for the opportunity to find my passion for archaeology, which has led me to this point. v Table of Contents Approval .......................................................................................................................... ii Ethics Statement ............................................................................................................ iii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................... x List of Figures................................................................................................................. xi Chapter 1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 Research Goals and Approach ....................................................................................... 2 Introducing First Nations and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy ..................................... 4 The Haudenosaunee ................................................................................................... 4 The Haudenosaunee Confederacy .............................................................................. 4 Six Nations Elected Council ......................................................................................... 6 Nation Huronne-Wendat .............................................................................................. 7 Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation ........................................................................ 7 Thesis Structure .............................................................................................................. 9 Chapter 2. The Colonial Context of Indigenous Heritage Management ................ 10 The Colonial Nature of Cultural Heritage Management ................................................. 10 Colonial Assertion ...................................................................................................... 11 Early Rationale for State Authority ............................................................................. 13 Contemporary Authorized Heritage Discourse ........................................................... 13 Indigenous Rights over Land and Heritage .................................................................... 16 Codes of Ethics in HRM ................................................................................................ 19 Cultural Heritage Management Industry in Ontario ........................................................ 22 The Rise of Ontario’s Authorized Heritage Discourse ................................................ 22 Current Ontario Heritage Policy ................................................................................. 24 Ontario Heritage Act (OHA) .................................................................................... 25 Ontario Planning Act .............................................................................................. 25 Ontario Environmental Assessment Act ................................................................. 25 Indigenous Ethical Engagement and Consultation in Ontario ..................................... 26 OHA Engagement Obligations ............................................................................... 26 Environmental Assessment and Planning Act ........................................................ 28 Indigenous Conceptions of Heritage Protection ............................................................. 30 Indigenous Conceptions of Heritage .......................................................................... 30 Indigenous Approaches to Heritage ........................................................................... 32 Indigenous Archeology ........................................................................................... 33 Collaboration .......................................................................................................... 33 Chapter 3. Methodology ........................................................................................... 35 Interviews ...................................................................................................................... 35 vi Demographic Considerations ..................................................................................... 36 Indigenous Nation Affiliation ................................................................................... 37 Experience ............................................................................................................. 37 Sample Population ..................................................................................................... 37 Interview Framework ................................................................................................. 38 Ethics and Confidentiality ........................................................................................... 42 Data Analysis Methods .................................................................................................. 43 Analysis of Results ........................................................................................................ 43 Chapter Summary ......................................................................................................... 44 Chapter 4. Results .................................................................................................... 46 Theme 1. Demographics ............................................................................................... 46 Theme 2. Heritage Resource Management .................................................................. 48 Question 3. What does “cultural heritage management” mean to you and your community?............................................................................................................ 48 Question 4. What is your role in cultural heritage management? ............................ 49 Theme 3. Type of Involvement .....................................................................................