Kiwicītowek Insiniwuk
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KIWICÎTOWEK INSINIWUK: NEHINUW GOVERNANCE IN NEHINUW TERMS by Réal Carrière Bachelor of Arts, 2006, Simon Fraser University Master of Public Administration, 2010, University of Regina A dissertation presented to Ryerson University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the program of Policy Studies Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2018 Ó Réal Carrière, 2018 AUTHOR'S DECLARATION FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF A DISSERTATION I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this dissertation. This is a true copy of the dissertation, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I authorize Ryerson University to lend this dissertation to other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I further authorize Ryerson University to reproduce this dissertation by photocopying or by other means, in total or in part, at the request of other institutions or individuals for the purpose of scholarly research. I understand that my dissertation may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract KIWICÎTOWEK INSINIWUK: NEHINUW GOVERNANCE IN NEHINUW TERMS Ph.D., 2018, Réal Carrière, Policy Studies, Ryerson University Indigenous nations have diverse, complex, and ancient governance theories and practices, yet settler governments have consistently tried to eliminate these theories and practices. Despite the objectives of colonization, Indigenous people have maintained the knowledge of Indigenous governance. To understand Indigenous governance, an effort must be made to understand these theories from a specific Indigenous worldview. In other words, what is Indigenous governance in Indigenous terms? This dissertation aims to address this question by exploring governance through the knowledge of the Nehinuw by asking, what does Nehinuw knowledge teach us about Nehinuw governance? To understand Nehinuw governance from a Nehinuw worldview, the author researched using a Nehinuw theoretical framework which included specific Nehinuw research methods and a method analysis based on the Nehinuw concept of Nistotên (to understand). The findings of this dissertation consider the complexity and diversity of Nehinuw governance theory and practice that challenge mainstream perspectives of Indigenous governance and provide valuable lessons for policymakers that work in the field of Indigenous governance. The outcome of this dissertation fills more than a gap in the literature because using the Nehinuw theoretical framework has enabled me to empower the communities covered in this dissertation, and develop, in partnership with local educators, educational resources on Nehinuw governance that can and will be used by the community to educate future generations on Nehinuw governance and become the foundation of future scholarly research and practice. Keywords: Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Knowledge, Nehinuw Governance, Nehinuw Knowledge. iii Acknowledgements Before I tell you about this dissertation, I want to acknowledge the people, places, and spirits that have helped me get to where I am today. I would like to acknowledge the land, water, and sky. I am honoured that I can say I grew up on the land. The land has taught me so much and I inspire to protect you for future generations. I would like to acknowledge my family. You have helped me become the person that I am today. I try to honour and protect the knowledge of my ancestors. I was lucky to have met all my grandparents and my grandmothers are still with me. Nimosom Bill took me out on the land and told me about the ways of our ancestors. He taught me to be patient. My Opa John passed away before we went back to his homeland, but he was always a great spirit. He taught me to laugh. Nokom Josie has always been a great storyteller. I like to begin conversations with her by asking about her past. Tell me about Amisk Lake. My Oma Evadne, you have always been there for me, helping and guiding me throughout my life. You would hold my hand while I fell asleep beside your bed and you would help edit my papers. You taught me to enjoy life. To my mother Renée, we have had many debates. I think you taught me to be critical and passionate. To my father Solomon, we have spent a lot of time on the land. You taught the meaning of hard work even though I never listen. To my sisters Jacqueline, Michela, and Martina, you have helped me so much. Shh. Be quiet. Go feed dogs. To my wife Lori, I love you. To my children, I am excited to see your future. I want to pass on the knowledge of our ancestors to you and future generations. I try to be everything you have taught me and I love you with all my heart. I would like to acknowledge the support of my participants including Keith Goulet, Stan Wilson, Solomon Carrière, Edwin Jebb, Pauline McKay, William Lathlin, Glen Ross, John iv Carriere, Frank Whitehead, and others. I also want to acknowledge the leadership of the Northern Village of Cumberland House, Cumberland House Cree Nation, and Opaskwayak Cree Nation for their guidance and allowing me to conduct this dissertation on your land and with your knowledge keepers. I appreciate the knowledge you shared with me and it will help future generations learn about our knowledge. I would like to thank my dissertation committee. To Dr. Lynn Lavallée, as my supervisor you have always helped me see the bigger picture. I am honoured that I got to know you and work with you during this difficult time. To Dr. Pamela Palmater, you have been an invaluable mentor. You inspired me to come to Ryerson. You have helped me see the small details with an extremely critical eye. I don't know how I would have made it this far without your guidance. To Dr. Carolyn Johns, I appreciate all the positive encouragement you gave me over the years and challenged me to see the alternative perspectives. To Dr. Joanne DiNova, I am grateful for your detailed comments on my dissertation. To Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot, I appreciated your thought provoking comments on my work. I want to acknowledge the funders of this dissertation. I want to thank my supervisor Dr. Lynn Lavallée for suggesting an avenue of funding, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health, and Health Canada – First Nations and Inuit Health Branch #CIHR-AHI 120532, and the Active Circle Research Project team for accepting my dissertation as part of your large project. Second, I want to thank the Ryerson Aboriginal Education Council for providing me with funds to conduct the field research. I would not have been able to complete this dissertation without your support. I also want to acknowledge some other people that have helped me along my journey. To Dr. Theo Dombrowski, for always being there when I needed some advice and support. To Dr. v Andrew Heard, thank you for inspiring me to pursue further studies. To Sonya Taccone, thank you for taking the time to look at my application even though it was late. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the Creator. I believe that there is a reason to life and it has guided me to this dissertation and place. I am honoured to be working for my people to protect our knowledge. Kinanâskomitinâwâw (I am grateful to you all). vi Table of Contents Abstract ....................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ................................................................................................................. ix List of Figures ................................................................................................................ x List of Appendices ........................................................................................................ xi Chapter 1: Nitati-atoskan (I am starting to work) ......................................................... 1 1.1 Location: Who am I? ........................................................................................ 1 1.2 The People: Nehinuw ....................................................................................... 8 1.3 The Problem: What is Indigenous Governance? ............................................. 17 1.4 The Focus: Governance .................................................................................. 20 1.5 The Rationale: Protection for the Future ......................................................... 21 1.6 The Approach: Nehinuw Research Paradigm .................................................. 25 1.7 Research Questions ........................................................................................ 27 1.8 Thesis Organization ....................................................................................... 28 1.9 Language ....................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 2: Kiskinaumasowin (Teaching yourself) ...................................................... 32 2.1 Literature Review Approach ........................................................................... 32 2.2 Indigenous Governance in Indigenous Terms ................................................. 34 2.3 Colonization: Dispossession, Oppression, and Dependency............................ 54 2.4 Resurgence as Decolonization ........................................................................ 94 Chapter 3: Weechihitowin (Helping each other) ......................................................