Feds Put First Nations University in Peril by Randy Lundy

Feds Put First Nations University in Peril by Randy Lundy, Chair of the First Nations University of Canada's academic council. Cited in CAUT Bulletin, Vol 57 No. 4 April 2010.

The Government of Canada has put the future of Canada’s only First Nations university at grave peril. Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl’s refusal to restore full federal finding to First Nations University of Canada will mean massive layoffs and a significant reduction in course programs, likely forcing the university to declare financial exigency and eventually close.

“We cannot understand the federal government’s decision, coming after the longstanding governance and administrative concerns at the university have been fixed,” said Randy Lundy, academic council chair and head of the institution’s English department.

More than 2,000 people have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, calling for the restoration of full federal funding. The letter reminds the prime minister of his historic 2008 apology for the residential schools that attempted to strip aboriginal Canadians of their culture and traditions and assimilate them into the dominant culture.

The letter notes that the loss of government funding will force the university to close when
the school year ends Aug. 31, making it impossible for First Nations university students to study in an institution based on First Nations traditions and cultures. The letter calls this “an act of disrespect to First Nations peoples in Canada and a continuation of the very practices for which you apologized in June 2008.”

The federal government’s surprise announcement last month to pull the annual funding from First Nations University, then its decision to provide bridge funding to allow students to complete their course work until Aug. 31, came after dramatic changes had taken place at the school.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations had reformed the governance structure
by dissolving the university’s board of governors and replacing it with a smaller and de­politicized board — a change recommended by several commissions and CAUT.

The school’s president and vice-president of administration were dismissed.

The federation, First Nations University, the Saskatchewan government and the University of Regina agreed to a partnership arrangement where the financial and administrative affairs of First Nations University would be under the aegis of the University of Regina for the next four years.

“The loss of First Nation University is a tra­gedy that need not happen,” said CAUT exe­cutive director James Turk. “Perhaps the federal government has the mistaken belief that the university can limp along, but once faculty are laid off, programs cut and students go elsewhere or drop out, it will be too late.”

He said there was strong support for the reinstatement of funding from opposition leaders Michael Ignatieff, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe, whose parties “are continuing to press the Harper government in the House of Commons and in the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs.”

new book: Thriving beyond sustainability: Pathways to a resilient society

Kia ora, came across this new book, Thriving Beyond Sustainability: Pathways to a Resilient Society by Andres Edwards. Interesting and innovative ideas, Taima

Thriving Beyond Sustainability draws a collective map of individuals, organizations and communities from around the world that are committed to building an alternative future - one that strives to restore ecological health, reinvent outmoded institutions and rejuvenate our environmental, social and economic systems. The projects and initiatives profiled are meeting the challenges of the day with optimism, hope and results, leading the way in relocalization, green commerce, ecological design, environmental conservation and social transformation. The comprehensive resource section provides the tools for everyone to become a catalyst for change.

This book can be found at Fernwood Books Ltd, www.fernwoodbooks.ca

Book: Making a difference in families: research that creates change By Robyn Munford, Jackie Sanders

Kia ora, came across this book which focusses on research with families. It consists of a number of chapters including articles from both Aotearoa, NZ and Canada. Here is another resource for those working in the social work/counselling and psychology fields. Can take a brief look on the following site:

http://books.google.ca/books?id=FbgDyyN3OhMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Making+a+Difference+in+Families.+Research+that+creates+change.+Edited+by+Robyn+Munford+and+Jackie+Sanders&source=bl&ots=FIu30lDx-A&sig=dhqmOMu8DHI9-LrDVcovwd_Ew5M&hl=en&ei=znmnS8rJMIi8Nuud9OAC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Making%20a%20Difference%20in%20Families.%20Research%20that%20creates%20change.%20Edited%20by%20Robyn%20Munford%20and%20Jackie%20Sanders&f=false

Taima

Making a difference in families: research that creates change. Eds Robyn Munford and Jackie Sanders

Brief overview: This resource for social work professionals and students explores the challenges of doing research with families and the key methods used. Discussed are critical approaches to research with families, including action research, focus groups, and participant observation, with special attention paid to the vulnerable position these families are often in as clients of social services and as research subjects. Qualitative and quantitative research methods and ways researchers can involve participants in the process are explored. Detailed case studies of research in a variety of settings, and with different kinds of family situations, are provided

Cree retain majority intellectual property rights over research findings

Kia ora, this is a must read. An Agreement with Cree communities could set precedent for research. Indigenous people retain majority of intellectual property rights over research findings stemming from their traditional knowledge of local medicinal plants. See website below: http://www.universityaffairs.ca/agreement-with-cree-communities.aspx

MAI 2010

Kia ora, Please find attached the MAI outline for 2010, excellent read, Taima

MAI

International Journal of Indigenous Peoples

Kia ora,

AlterNative, is an International Journal for Indigenous Peoples. This site houses the AlterNative journal with a backlog of 5 journals offering a selection of Indigenous articles. As well, the site gives uptodate information on Indigenous key issues. A site well worth exploring. It is also a great site for those looking for peer reviewed Indigenous articles. See below, Taima

http://www.alternative.ac.nz/

Paper: A Framework for Decolonization Interventions

Kia ora, below is an abstract for the paper "A framework for decolonization interventions" by my friend and colleague Dr Bernard Guerin. This paper reflects on colonization and its effects on Indigenous peoples and also suggests intervention strategies for long-term effects especially for health, education and employment. Its an awesome read, Taima

Paper: A Framework for Decolonization Interventions by Bernard Guerin

Abstract

Colonization spread around the world and has inexorably affected millions of people over the last few centuries. There have been many scattered intervention strategies to overcome some of the long-term effects of colonization, especially for health, education and employment. With respect to the inequalities and discriminations that have remained after centuries, however, it is less clear what might make a difference on such a large scale. I review the interventions that have been tried, including: indigenous people’s movements, cross cultural awareness training, anti-racism and anti-discrimination training, decolonization workshops, liberation theology and psychology, and truth and reconciliation interventions. Some common and dissimilar themes are discussed, as well as ways forward. While provisional, it is hoped that an integrated and interdisciplinary framework might help to coordinate the efforts in local community contexts throughout the world.


This paper can be found at the following site: http://www.unisanet.unisa.edu.au/Resources/tcc/Integrating%20Australian%20Indigenous%20content%20and%20pedagogies%20into%20psychology%20education/Workshops%20and%20conferences%20-%20Psychology%20and%20Indigenous%20Australians/Clickable%20bibliography%20of%20paper%20presentations/Guerin%202008.pdf