Indigenous Peoples

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https://hdl.handle.net/10388/14355

By 2050, half of Saskatchewan's population may be of Indigenous ancestry, a demographic shift that creates challenge and opportunity. Our shared journey will help advance Indigenous and non-Indigenous ways of knowing and prepare a new generation of Indigenous youth for the global knowledge economy.

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Assessing the Readiness and Capacity of Biosphere Regions to Implement Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - A Desktop Review
(2024-09) Boakye-Danquah, John; Marfo, Crenda O
This report present the findings of a desktop review sponsored by the TRANSECTS to examine the readiness and capacity of Biosphere Regions (BR) in Canada and other conservation organizations to implement Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). The search was limited to broad EDI considerations focusing on terms such as “equity”, “diversity”, “equality”, “inclusion”, “accessibility”, “justice”, “minority”, “reconciliation”, “SDG 5” and “SDG 10”. The findings revealed that majority of BRs and similar conservation organizations are actively engaging in reconciliation efforts. These efforts include collaborative planning with Indigenous communities, acknowledging traditional territories, providing services for Indigenous youth, and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into conservation and sustainability initiatives. The integration of EDI varies across BRs. Twelve BR websites included at least one reference to an EDI term, while five did not mention EDI terms. Key findings include: 66% of BRs referenced "diversity," primarily highlighting the inclusion of cultural knowledge in work practices and ensuring diverse representation among staff, board members, and volunteers. 28% of BRs mentioned "inclusion" as a core value, particularly in hiring practices, community engagement, and knowledge creation. 22% of BRs integrated "equity" into mission and vision statements, focusing on improving recruitment, promoting economic fairness, and ensuring justice for diverse community needs. Some also emphasized internal equity initiatives for staff. Only 6% of BRs referenced "accessibility," acknowledging the need for accommodations for people with disabilities in hiring practices. 22% of BRs referenced SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). BRs primarily emphasized Indigenous Peoples and Youth in their equity efforts. Other equity groups, including women, people with disabilities, racialized/visible minorities, older adults, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, received comparatively less focus from BRs.
Climate change and its impact on the mental health well-being of Indigenous women in Western cities, Canada
(John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2024-05-15) Chapola, Jebunnessa; Datta, Ranjan; Waucaush-Warn, Jaime; Subroto, Sujoy
This collaborative paper explores the interconnections between climate change and the mental health and well-being of Indigenous women in Western Canada. As the impacts of climate change intensify globally, vulnerable populations, particularly Indigenous communities, face disproportionate and multifaceted challenges. Centering on Indigenous women in Western Canada, this study explores how the climate crisis magnifies Indigenous communities' mental health disparities. Drawing from the Indigenist feminist research approach, the investigation focuses on Indigenous women's lived experiences, perceptions, and land-based coping strategies amidst climate challenges, while simultaneously addressing the unique social, cultural, and historical factors influencing their mental health vulnerabilities within the context of climate change. The findings shed light on the complex relationships between environmental degradation, ongoing colonial impacts on traditional practices, and the mental well-being of Indigenous women. Concluding with implications for policy and community-led interventions, this research contributes to the discourse on the intersectionality of climate change impacts and mental health, particularly focusing on Indigenous women in Western Canada.
Community Governance for Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Development: Lessons from Northern and Indigenous Energy Projects
(The Northern Review, 2024) Iakovleva, Mariia
Remote Indigenous communities in northern Canada often suffer from energy insecurity and energy poverty. In developing local clean energy production, there is an obvious benefit for government and industry partnering with these communities. However, the record of these partnerships is poor, with some failing to produce the expected benefits and others failing to get off the ground at all. This article is based on a study of four case studies of renewable energy projects in Indigenous communities in northern Saskatchewan and Alberta, in which I interviewed community project leaders to understand why these communities were interested in energy projects, what they hoped to achieve, and their experience with their partners. I also interviewed government and industry partners. While the results underline the importance of Indigenous intermediaries who can move easily between the communities and the larger energy production context, they also reveal a fundamental misalignment of expectations between Indigenous communities and their partners. Recent discussions about the potential for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in remote communities have generally focused on features of the technology rather than on aspects of the social context of Indigenous communities. I argue that, for communities to fully understand the advantages and drawbacks of this technology, much more attention needs to be paid to the construction of a safe space where communities can frame the discussion within Indigenous world views and lived experience. I offer some policy suggestions for how this space can be constructed and protected.
Decolonizing meanings climate crisis and land-based adaptions: From Indigenous women's perspectives in Western Canada
(Elsevier, 2024-03-13) Datta, Ranjan; Chapola, Jebunnessa; Waucaush-Warn, Jaime; Subroto, Sujoy; Hurlbert, Margot
This paper explores the critical issue of decolonizing meanings within the context of the climate crisis and land-based adaptations, specifically focusing on Indigenous women's perspectives in Western Canada. The study focuses on the intricate relationship between Indigenous knowledge, culture, and the environment, emphasizing the unique insights that Indigenous women bring to the discourse surrounding climate change and adaptation. Drawing on the decolonial feminist research approach, community engagement, and participatory research methods, the paper highlights the diverse ways Indigenous women conceptualize the climate crisis and respond to the impacts of the climate crisis on their traditional lands. It critically examines the colonial legacies that have shaped environmental policies and interventions, often marginalizing Indigenous voices and perspectives. The findings advocate the importance of centering Indigenous women's knowledge and experiences in climate change discourse and policy-making. By decolonizing meanings, the paper advocates for a more inclusive and equitable approach to land-based adaptations that acknowledges the resilience and wisdom embedded in Indigenous land-based learning and practice. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable and culturally sensitive strategies for addressing the climate crisis, fostering a deeper understanding of the intersections between gender, Indigeneity, and environmental justice.
Indigenous land-based practices for climate crisis adaptions
(Elsevier, 2024-08-20) Datta, Ranjan; Chapola, Jebunnessa; Owen, Kara; Hurlbert, Margot; Foggin, Audra
Indigenous communities across Canada persist at the forefront of environmental and climate-related challenges, necessitating a concerted effort to integrate traditional Indigenous land-based knowledge and practices that inherently promote environmental protection and resilience. Using a decolonial feminist theoretical framework, this research centers on Indigenous community perspectives on the climate crisis and their land-based adaptions. Such an approach empowers Indigenous communities to reclaim agency over their narratives and shape research agendas congruent with their lived realities and aspirations. The study concludes by promoting the imperative of revitalizing traditional Indigenous land-based knowledge, practices and relationships with their ancestral lands. Despite emerging recognition within the scientific literature and international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, of the significance of traditional Indigenous land-based knowledge, many climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives continue to overlook Indigenous participation at various decision-making junctures. Hence, this paper advocates the necessity for international frameworks to acknowledge and integrate traditional knowledge systems and Indigenous participation across national borders, fostering inclusive climate crisis solutions that resonate with Indigenous communities' perspectives and experiences.
Pimachesowin for the Sakha (Yakut) People of Northeastern Siberia | Кри норуот Пимачисуин өйдөбүлэ Сибиир хотугулуу-илин Саха норуотугар Authors
(The Northern Review, 2022) Iakovleva, Mariia
This article provides a case study of the Sakha (Yakut), an Indigenous People in Northeastern Siberia, and their concept of Aiyy Yorege, which shares a similar meaning as pimachesowin (making a good life), a Cree word. The Sakha (Yakut) concept is reflected in the fundamental epic tale known as Olonkho, which constitutes the framework for the belief, culture, traditional knowledge, laws, and language of the Sakha (Yakut) People. The article introduces the main ideas of the tale and its narrative whereby people find the basis for their self-determination. Furthermore, this article elucidates the political events of the Soviet period and the ways it impacted the Sakha (Yakut) People with their traditional culture silenced under the policy of unification, and how this was followed by a period of resurgence in the late twentieth century after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Throughout the article, parallels are drawn between the Sakha (Yakut) and the Cree People in Northern Saskatchewan, specifically in relation to the aspiration of sustaining a good way of living. This article is a chapter in the open textbook Indigenous Self-Determination through Mitho Pimachesowin (Ability to Make a Good Living), developed for the University of Saskatchewan course Indigenous Studies 410/810 and hosted by the Northern Review.
Two-Spirit Peoples’ experiences accessing and receiving care from community pharmacies
(SAGE Publications, 2024) Marissa Pirlot; Swidrovich, Jaris
Background: Two-Spirit Peoples face unique challenges in accessing and receiving health care in Canada due to health services, including community pharmacy services, being built on hetero- and cis-normative models that impede appropriate care for this group. Currently, there is limited published information on Two-Spirit Peoples’ experiences accessing and receiving care in community pharmacy settings. Methods: To address the lack of published information, 21 Two-Spirit individuals shared their experiences in a focus group setting. Four different focus groups were held across Canada, including 1 in Saskatoon, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto. Informed by Indigenous methodologies, data were recorded via audio recording and notetaking, and the audio was transcribed and then analyzed for themes using the Voice-Centred Relational Method. Results: Three major structural systems that affect the experiences of Two-Spirit Peoples in community pharmacies were identified: 1) white supremacy, 2) capitalism, and 3) heteronormativity. These 3 systemic issues presented themselves via racism, homophobia, transphobia, pharmacists’ lack of knowledge about Two-Spirit individuals and their health and lack of time spent educating or building relationships with Two-Spirit Peoples. Participants provided suggestions for how community pharmacists can better serve the Two-Spirit community, such as using inclusive language, adding pronouns and preferred names to patient files, increasing knowledge about Two-Spirit health and advocating for Two-Spirit Peoples. Discussion: The results suggest that dismantling current structures and ideologies in community pharmacy and society are required to overcome the identified issues. Conclusion: Two-Spirit Peoples face barriers when it comes to accessing and receiving care in community pharmacies, resulting in many Two-Spirit individuals avoiding health care to save themselves from unsafe and uncomfortable interactions. Pre- and postlicensure pharmacy education about Two-Spirit Peoples is required to improve Two-Spirit Peoples’ experiences accessing and receiving care in community pharmacies.

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