The Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint (MCIEB) hosted the Attausikuuluta gathering from Feb. 6 to 7 at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre.
This event brought together Elders, educators, students, policymakers and community leaders to address Indigenous identity fraud and discuss ways to Indigenize curriculum, according to a press release.
The term Attausikuuluta means “working all together” in Inuktitut, and the name for the gathering was gifted by Elder Martha Peet to highlight the collective effort and shared commitment required to address challenges in Indigenous fraud and education.
MCIEB is a collaborative initiative between Manitoba’s six universities, three colleges and the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre. Other stakeholders include the Province of Manitoba Advanced Education and Training and Education and Early Childhood Learning, as well as the Manitoba School Boards Association. The primary objective of this organization is to increase Indigenous learners’ access to education and ensure Indigenous knowledge is incorporated across all levels of learning in Manitoba to promote reconciliation.
Denise Tardiff, manager of MCIEB, highlighted the growing concerns of Indigenous identity fraud and the responsibility of educational institutions in addressing it. “Over the past several years, Indigenous identity fraud has made headlines across Turtle Island, including right here in our province,” stated Tardiff in a press release.
“Schools, colleges and universities have the responsibility to work with Indigenous communities and governments to develop ways to protect scholarships, academic positions, research dollars and other opportunities that are meant for Indigenous peoples.”
Presentations at the Attausikuuluta gathering explored various topics like Indigenous identity verification, strategies for the concern of preserving identity and approaches to Indigenizing curriculum.
The keynote speakers were Métis multidisciplinary artist Moe Clark, assistant professor Réal Carrière, director of Indigenous education Kris Desjarlais and Métis lawyer Jessica Barlow.
Clark is a 2Spirit singing thunderbird whose music has been featured in films, theatre and dance performances, according to the MCIEB program. She works in vocal improvisation, performance creation, land-based oskapêwis support and more with a focus in embodied knowledge.
Her video poem “nitahkôtân” won best Indigenous language music video at the ImagiNative film festival.
Carrière is Nehinuw (Swampy Cree) and a Métis scholar from Cumberland House, Sask. who grew up without road access, running water or electricity.
He is currently an assistant professor in political science at the U of M and his research focuses on Indigenous governance and methodology.
Desjarlais is a member of the Métis and Cree Nations, and he oversees services that foster a respectful and inclusive learning environment for First Nation, Métis and Inuit students.
He also leads training initiatives to enhance cultural competency and safety among college staff.
Barlow is a Red River Métis woman with Manitoba roots. She holds a bachelor of arts and a law degree both from the U of M. She serves in the office of legal counsel at the U of M supporting the office of the vice-president (Indigenous).
