Performing Resistance/ Negotiating Sovereignty: Indigenous Women’s Performance Art In Canada investigates the contemporary production of Indigenous performance and video art in Canada in terms of cultural continuance, survivance and resistance. Drawing on critical Indigenous methodology, which foregrounds the necessity of privileging multiple Indigenous systems of knowledge, it explores these themes through the lenses of storytelling, decolonization, activism, and agency. With specific reference to performances by Rebecca Belmore, Lori Blondeau, Cheryl L'Hirondelle, Skeena Reece and Dana Claxton, as well as others, it argues that Indigenous performance art should be understood in terms of i) its enduring relationship to activism and resistance ii) its ongoing use as a tool for interventions in colonially entrenched spaces, and iii) its longstanding role in maintaining self-determination and cultural sovereignty. / Thesis (Ph.D, Art History) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-30 09:07:41.999

Thesis (M.A.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 129-141). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2005. / Thesis Advisor(s): Harold A. Trinkunas. Includes bibliographical references (p. 79-84). Also available online.

Colonialism is ongoing in Canada and continues to affect Indigenous-state relations in a number of political and social areas, including water governance. Few other studies link colonial and decolonizing concepts to Indigenous water governance including discussions of power as well as structural and political assumptions, which speak to systemic factors and barriers to increased Indigenous water sovereignty. The purpose of this study is to undertake an in-depth decolonial analysis of the dynamics occurring in a legal water management dispute between an Indigenous community and the Canadian state. More specifically, the goal of this investigation is to identify how ongoing colonial factors affect the Halalt First Nation’s sovereignty over their waters. To this end, the research question is: Using an Indigenous resurgence (IR) analysis, what does the Halalt First Nation v British Columbia (Minister of the Environment) (Halalt v BC) caselaw reveal about the state of Indigenous water sovereignty in Canada? I employ a case study methodology where I analyse the Environmental Assessment (EA) and legal court case of Halalt v BC. I seek to provide a decolonial perspective, so in this study I use an IR theoretical framework. I collect data through interviews with ten participants including three Band Council staff members involved in the Halalt v British Columbia EA and court case study. I analyse the findings using three Indigenous resurgence themes of transfer of power from the state to an Indigenous community, increased respect and use of Indigenous worldviews, and Indigenous self-determination in light of the primary data I collected via key informant interviews and case study participants. The data reveals that there was no evidence that Indigenous resurgence is taking place in the case study as per Halalt participants’ experience of the case study nor the other participants’ opinion of the case study. In this thesis, I advocate for decolonization in the form of increased Indigenous political authority for the Halalt and all Indigenous communities in Canada. / Graduate

Propõe-se analisar a organização indígena de Roraima e suas estratégias de interação com as organizações estatais e privadas no avanço das políticas públicas de educação indígena no Estado de Roraima, demonstrando que o Estado, entendido como poder público estadual, sempre buscou a integração dos indígenas, mas, nas últimas duas décadas, houve um aperfeiçoamento nas relações com os povos indígenas e um empoderamento nas políticas públicas de educação indígena implantadas no Estado de Roraima pós-Constituição de 1988. A base metodológica que norteia este trabalho se dá em dois momentos: o primeiro está voltado para a análise bibliográfica, que versa sobre as políticas indigenistas e as políticas públicas específicas e, desta forma, possibilita descrever a forma de relações entre os índios e o Estado. O segundo se dirige à análise documental que versa sobre as políticas públicas indígenas no Estado de Roraima. Dentre estes documentos, estão os programas do Governo Federal estabelecidos no Plano Plurianual Anual (PPA), sendo neles que constam as garantias de recursos para as políticas públicas das comunidades indígenas do Estado de Roraima. Após análise comparativa entre os documentos produzidos pelas movimentações indígenas e os discursos de suas lideranças, com os documentos oficiais originados pelo Estado, constata-se que há a participação efetiva das organizações indígenas, tanto nas leis e outros instrumentos legais, quanto na formatação das políticas públicas de educação indígenas. / This thesis aims to analyze the process of indigenous organization of Roraima state and its strategies of interaction with State and private organizations in advancing public policies for Indigenous Education in Roraima state, demonstrating that the State understood as State public power always sought the integration of indigenous people, but in the last two decades there has been an improvement in relations with indigenous peoples and an empowerment of indigenous education in the public policies implemented in Roraima state Post-1988 Constitution. The methodological basis that guides this work takes place in two phases: the first is dedicated to the bibliographical analysis, which focuses on indigenous policies and specific public policies and thus makes it possible to describe the form of relations between Indians and the State. The second moment is focused on documentary analysis that focuses on the indigenous public policies in Roraima state. Among these documents are Federal Government programs established in the Annual multi-year plan (PPA), being them in resource transfers to indigenous communities. After comparative analysis between the documents produced by the indigenous movements and the speeches of their leaders, with the official documents produced by the State, noted that for the effective participation of the Indigenous Movements both in laws and other legal instruments, formatting of indigenous public policies.

Propõe-se analisar a organização indígena de Roraima e suas estratégias de interação com as organizações estatais e privadas no avanço das políticas públicas de educação indígena no Estado de Roraima, demonstrando que o Estado, entendido como poder público estadual, sempre buscou a integração dos indígenas, mas, nas últimas duas décadas, houve um aperfeiçoamento nas relações com os povos indígenas e um empoderamento nas políticas públicas de educação indígena implantadas no Estado de Roraima pós-Constituição de 1988. A base metodológica que norteia este trabalho se dá em dois momentos: o primeiro está voltado para a análise bibliográfica, que versa sobre as políticas indigenistas e as políticas públicas específicas e, desta forma, possibilita descrever a forma de relações entre os índios e o Estado. O segundo se dirige à análise documental que versa sobre as políticas públicas indígenas no Estado de Roraima. Dentre estes documentos, estão os programas do Governo Federal estabelecidos no Plano Plurianual Anual (PPA), sendo neles que constam as garantias de recursos para as políticas públicas das comunidades indígenas do Estado de Roraima. Após análise comparativa entre os documentos produzidos pelas movimentações indígenas e os discursos de suas lideranças, com os documentos oficiais originados pelo Estado, constata-se que há a participação efetiva das organizações indígenas, tanto nas leis e outros instrumentos legais, quanto na formatação das políticas públicas de educação indígenas. / This thesis aims to analyze the process of indigenous organization of Roraima state and its strategies of interaction with State and private organizations in advancing public policies for Indigenous Education in Roraima state, demonstrating that the State understood as State public power always sought the integration of indigenous people, but in the last two decades there has been an improvement in relations with indigenous peoples and an empowerment of indigenous education in the public policies implemented in Roraima state Post-1988 Constitution. The methodological basis that guides this work takes place in two phases: the first is dedicated to the bibliographical analysis, which focuses on indigenous policies and specific public policies and thus makes it possible to describe the form of relations between Indians and the State. The second moment is focused on documentary analysis that focuses on the indigenous public policies in Roraima state. Among these documents are Federal Government programs established in the Annual multi-year plan (PPA), being them in resource transfers to indigenous communities. After comparative analysis between the documents produced by the indigenous movements and the speeches of their leaders, with the official documents produced by the State, noted that for the effective participation of the Indigenous Movements both in laws and other legal instruments, formatting of indigenous public policies.

Propõe-se analisar a organização indígena de Roraima e suas estratégias de interação com as organizações estatais e privadas no avanço das políticas públicas de educação indígena no Estado de Roraima, demonstrando que o Estado, entendido como poder público estadual, sempre buscou a integração dos indígenas, mas, nas últimas duas décadas, houve um aperfeiçoamento nas relações com os povos indígenas e um empoderamento nas políticas públicas de educação indígena implantadas no Estado de Roraima pós-Constituição de 1988. A base metodológica que norteia este trabalho se dá em dois momentos: o primeiro está voltado para a análise bibliográfica, que versa sobre as políticas indigenistas e as políticas públicas específicas e, desta forma, possibilita descrever a forma de relações entre os índios e o Estado. O segundo se dirige à análise documental que versa sobre as políticas públicas indígenas no Estado de Roraima. Dentre estes documentos, estão os programas do Governo Federal estabelecidos no Plano Plurianual Anual (PPA), sendo neles que constam as garantias de recursos para as políticas públicas das comunidades indígenas do Estado de Roraima. Após análise comparativa entre os documentos produzidos pelas movimentações indígenas e os discursos de suas lideranças, com os documentos oficiais originados pelo Estado, constata-se que há a participação efetiva das organizações indígenas, tanto nas leis e outros instrumentos legais, quanto na formatação das políticas públicas de educação indígenas. / This thesis aims to analyze the process of indigenous organization of Roraima state and its strategies of interaction with State and private organizations in advancing public policies for Indigenous Education in Roraima state, demonstrating that the State understood as State public power always sought the integration of indigenous people, but in the last two decades there has been an improvement in relations with indigenous peoples and an empowerment of indigenous education in the public policies implemented in Roraima state Post-1988 Constitution. The methodological basis that guides this work takes place in two phases: the first is dedicated to the bibliographical analysis, which focuses on indigenous policies and specific public policies and thus makes it possible to describe the form of relations between Indians and the State. The second moment is focused on documentary analysis that focuses on the indigenous public policies in Roraima state. Among these documents are Federal Government programs established in the Annual multi-year plan (PPA), being them in resource transfers to indigenous communities. After comparative analysis between the documents produced by the indigenous movements and the speeches of their leaders, with the official documents produced by the State, noted that for the effective participation of the Indigenous Movements both in laws and other legal instruments, formatting of indigenous public policies.

Using a cross-national comparative approach, this thesis examines the Native housing crisis in the Northwest Territories, Alaska, and northern USSR from 1980 to 1990. The affordability, adequacy, and suitability of public and private sector housing is analyzed, as well as their structural and cultural limitations in a northern context. This study found that many low and moderate-income Natives in these regions are unable to afford expensive market rental housing, are ineligible for government or company accommodation or sheltered in overcrowded public housing. Premised on non-Native values and market assumptions, public and private sector housing is exclusionary and discriminates against a Native way of life, and has created the conditions in which people are polarized based on income and tenure. Given the failure of public and private sector housing to meet the shelter requirements of Natives, this thesis argues that there is a need for community-based housing alternatives. Housing co-operatives have the potential to increase security of tenure as well as the stock of decent and affordable housing, and to reduce cultural cleavages and socio-tenurial polarization through meaningful social and income-mixing. By responding to Native housing needs in such a culturally-sensitive manner, co-operatives have the potential to reduce dependencies on housing agencies and the private sector by effectively shifting control of housing to the community as a whole. Given the potential of housing co-operatives, however, this tenure has made relatively few inroads into the Northwest Territories, Alaska, and northern USSR. This study concludes that problems of implementation and affordability, privatism and inertia in housing policy, and a dependency on public and private sector housing have impeded the wider development of northern co-operatives. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Indigenous adoptee scholars across Turtle Island and beyond have done good work in coming to understand their identity through community connection, culture, education and practice. A plethora of research has guided young Indigenous interracial adoptees on their journey, yet there are few stories focused on the experiences of interracial Maya adoptees reconnecting to their culture in KKKanada. Currently there is limited research documenting Maya adoptees experiences of displacement and cultural reclamation in KKKanadian adoption studies. Research must make more space for these stories and the stories of local Indigenous communities supporting them. In this story (thesis), through engagement with current literature and ten research questions, I explored what it meant to live as an interracial adoptee in West Coast Indigenous communities. An Indigenous Youth Storywork methodology was applied to bring meaning to relationships I have with diverse Indigenous Old Ones, mentors and Knowledge Keepers and their influence on my journey as a Maya adoptee returning to my culture. My personal story was developed and analyzed using an Indigenous decolonial framework and Indigenous Arts-based methods. This storying journey sheds light on the intricate intersections of interracial adoption, specifically for Maya Indigenous Youth who currently live in KKKanada. The intention of this Youth Storywork research work is to create space for Indigenous, Interracial, Transracial and Maya adoptees in Child and Youth Care, Social Work and Counselling Psychology education, policy and practice. / Graduate / 2021-11-18

The Labrador Innu lived for millennia in the Quebec-Labrador Peninsula as nomadic hunters. Commencing in the 1950s, successive policies imposed on the Innu by federal and provincial governments brought significant disruptions to their traditional way of life. Today, the Labrador Innu are settled in the communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. They have maintained their language and culture, anchored in their understanding of territory and their relationship with their ancestral land, and have increasingly asserted their self-determination, including in research. The Innu articulated a Healing Strategy in 2014 after extensive community consultations. The Strategy states that a contemporary return to culture would provide healing to individuals and communities. Healing is important due to the social suffering experienced through sudden forced settlement and schooling in a non-Innu system. These abrupt changes altered the social fabric that had sustained Innu society for millennia. As part of the Strategy, the Innu decided to undertake a study to articulate their concept of wellbeing (minuinniuin) and their process of healing. Wellbeing and healing are intrinsic concepts for Innu; however, these concepts need to be uncovered for health and service providers, and policy makers. Having lived in Labrador and worked for the Innu, I was invited to be part of this community-initiated research. The Grand Chief of the Innu Nation directed that the research involve Innu researchers and utilize Innu ways-of-knowing and knowledge as fully as possible. Innu knowledge, like all Indigenous knowledges, is specific to the place where Innu live and to their experiences. Indigenous concepts of health and wellbeing, connections to land, and cultural identity are wholistically connected and culture-specific. The main objective of this dissertation is to articulate the Labrador Innu understanding of wellbeing and their distinctive process of healing. This qualitative study involves interviews and focus groups with 39 participants older than 16 years of age. This is a dissertation by articles. It consists of a general introduction to Indigenous health inequities, a literature review, a description of the methods, and the results as three separate manuscripts. It concludes with a summary of findings and implications. The first manuscript focuses on the process of developing an Innu framework for health research involving a partnership between Innu and non-Innu researchers. An Innu community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework for health research is proposed where Innu knowledge is foundational to the study. The framework is based on the metaphor of Innu and non-Innu canoeing together in one canoe. Within the space that joins all researchers, Indigenous knowledges are uncovered. This CBPR framework is used in the following two manuscripts. The second manuscript describes the contemporary process of healing of the Labrador Innu. Healing practices have been developed to deal with the historical and contemporary effects of colonialism and Innu people consider them effective. Healing is grounded in self-determination, culture, and non-reliance on bio-medicine. Five stages of healing are described: being “under the blanket”; finding spiritual strength; extending hands out; finding strength and power; and helping others. The findings highlighted the enablement of healing through spiritualities, support from Elders, return to culture, and resistance to negative stereotypes. The third manuscript aims to understand Innu views of wellbeing, and the influence of the land on health and wellbeing. Findings highlight that the experience of being on the land with family and community, learning cultural knowledge, and enacting Innu identity play a major role in enhancing wellbeing. For the Innu, the land sustains wellbeing by emplacing knowledge systems and cultural identity. The work presented in this dissertation contributes to the literature on Labrador Innu population health by highlighting that access to and experience of land build up health and wellbeing by providing and facilitating togetherness, fostering a relationship to all living beings, and enacting culture and a positive Innu identity. The findings add new knowledge to Indigenous health studies literature, particularly Innu health studies – holding promise for reducing health inequities. Implications for research, practice, and policy are also addressed.