The Interpretation of Governance And
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CODE OF BIMADIZIWIN: THE INTERPRETATION OF GOVERNANCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY AT NOGOJIWANONG FRIENDSHIP CENTRE, 2010-2014 A Thesis Submitted to the Committee on Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Science TRENT UNIVERSITY Nogojiwanong (Peterborough, Ontario, Canada) Copyright by Pamela Ouart-McNabb 2017 Indigenous Studies Ph.D. Graduate Program January 2018 Abstract CODE OF BIMADIZIWIN: THE INTERPRETATION OF GOVERNANCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY AT NOGOJIWANONG FRIENDSHIP CENTRE, 2010-2014. by Pamela Ouart-McNabb Indigenous peoples and organizations have a long history of incorporating cultural knowledge and teachings into program and organizational design and structure. The approach to incorporating cultures into Indigenous organizations is not uniform, nor is the ways that they are understood. This dissertation focuses on Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, in Peterborough Ontario and their approach to incorporating Indigenous cultures into their organization from 2010-2014. The intention of this dissertation is to build knowledge of Indigenous perspectives of organizational structure, grounded in Anishinabe teachings. The teaching circle, vision- time – feeling –movement, guides my learning process and the structure of the dissertation. In using an Anishinabe framework the importance of relationships and the Anishinabe clan system are foundational to my understanding, and will be discussed at length. The purpose and goal of this research is twofold. First, to show the complexity, intentionality and depth to an Indigenous research process; a process that is often nuanced in the literature. Second, to show how Anishinabe thought can (and does) provide a framework for a service delivery organization, in its governance and program and service ii delivery. The thesis of this dissertation is that Anishinabe knowledge is not always visible to outsiders, but it was present at Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre in the ways they approached research, governed themselves and delivered programs and services. Key Words: Indigenous Knowledge, Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Research Ethics, Indigenous Research Framework iii Acknowledgements I feel incredibly grateful and privileged to have had the opportunity to do this research. I must start by thanking and acknowledging everyone who contributed to this research, and supported me along the way. Mark and Wendy Phillips, your generosity, love and kindness has changed my life for the better. The teachings you have shared have enriched me and inspired me. Harry Snowboy, your generosity, faith and straightforwardness has helped me to continue this work. To the staff, board, clients and community at Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre – I am honoured to have shared space with you and to have grown alongside you. These words cannot possibly express my gratitude – Chi Migwetch! To Professor David Newhouse, my supervisor, I wish to acknowledge your patience, guidance, insight and support. My committee members, Dr. Kevin Fitzmaurice, Dr. Mark Dockstator and Wendy Phillips, your time, contributions and support has been appreciated. I wish to thank my external examiners Dr. Michael Hankard and Dr. Asaf Zohar whose comments and questions enriched this dissertation. I would like to thank Trent University and the Department of Indigenous Studies for the financial support I received. I would also like to acknowledge the faculty, staff and students of the Department of Indigenous Studies who have taught me important lessons and pushed me to think outside of my comfort zone. I wish to acknowledge friends and family who have supported me on this journey. To my husband, Chizit, thank you for enduring me, particularly while I wrote. To my parents, Brad and Linda, and my brother Tyler, thank you for encouraging me to continue iv and supporting me in many ways to do so. To my extended family and friends, each of you has provided support to me in different ways, and I am incredibly humbled. v Table of Contents Abstract ..................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................... iv List of Figures .......................................................................................................... viii PREAMBLE .................................................................................................................. 1 Foundation ................................................................................................................................ 7 EAST: Vision - Introduction ....................................................................................... 13 Research Questions ................................................................................................................ 15 Rationale ................................................................................................................................. 16 Positionality ............................................................................................................................ 19 Other Important Notes ........................................................................................................... 21 Approach to Research - Methodology ............................................................................... 22 Indigenous Methodology ........................................................................................................ 23 Teaching Circles/ Medicine Wheels ........................................................................................ 28 Community Centred Approaches to Research ....................................................................... 30 Refusal .................................................................................................................................... 35 SOUTH: Time - Indigenous Research Process ............................................................. 38 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 38 Indigenous Research and Protocol ......................................................................................... 38 Introduction to Participants.................................................................................................... 40 Relationship and Respect ....................................................................................................... 45 Anishinabe “Bimadiziwin/Code of Life” Teachings ................................................................. 52 Methods .................................................................................................................................. 57 Research Ethics Board ............................................................................................................ 64 Finding Meaning ..................................................................................................................... 65 Dissemination ......................................................................................................................... 65 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 66 WEST: Feeling, part 1 ................................................................................................ 68 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 68 Indigenous Governance Systems ............................................................................................ 69 The Anishinabe ....................................................................................................................... 71 Leadership ......................................................................................................................................... 77 Protection/Warriors .......................................................................................................................... 79 Sustenance/Hunters/Providers ......................................................................................................... 80 vi Education/Teaching ........................................................................................................................... 81 Medicine/Healing .............................................................................................................................. 84 WEST: Feeling, part two: Literature Review ............................................................... 87 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 87 Impact of Colonization on Indigenous Ways of Life ............................................................... 87 Culture and Indigenous Knowledges ...................................................................................... 91 Urbanization ......................................................................................................................... 104 Urban Indigenous Organizations ..................................................................................................... 107 Friendship Centres ..........................................................................................................................