National Indigenous Peoples Day 2019   June 21st is the first day of summer and the longest day of the year in Canada, but it is also a national-recognized day to celebrate Indigenous Peoples.  This past year has been one of change with respect to Indigenous Peoples at all levels.  At the Federal level, the Liberal government continues to work towards an Indigenous Rights Framework. Bill C-262, a bill introduced by NDP MP Romeo Saganash that would ensure federal laws are in harmony with UNDRIP.  Nationally, there have been important conversations about reconciliation related to heritage: Funding through the Canadian Museum Association (CMA)’s "Advancing Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples” as a response to Call to Action 67 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada; Closer to Home: Locating and Retrieving…

Heritage and the National Inquiry into MMIWG This month, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) released its Final Report. The Inquiry began in 2016 with a mandate to report on the systemic causes of all forms of violence against Indigenous women and girls. The Inquiry also extended its original mandate to focus on two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQQIA) people. Besides addressing important issues surrounding policing, access to justice, and other systemic colonial problems, the Report references culture and cultural heritage. Those familiar with the TRC Final Report and Calls to Action will not find these references out of place. Indigenous nations, individuals and communities have repeatedly represented the social and individual trauma caused by colonialism’s effect on Indigenous…