Term 2 – Indigenous Governance

This term, we’ll be asking questions, and ultimately will set an inquiry question about the first nation we are investigating.

First Nations Governance Over Time

Guiding question: How have FN governments changed over time?

We continue to explore the different forms of governance and learn how they overlap with the contemporary governments of British Columbia and Canada.

Here are some links to help students get started in their research.

British Columbia Assembly of First Nations

British Columbia First Nations (Prov. of BC)

Map of BC First Nations – UBC Museum of Anthropology and FNESC

First Peoples’ Language Map of British Columbia. First Peoples’ Culture Council

BC Treaty Commission

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

Squamish First Nation

Tsleil-Waututh First Nation

Musqueam First Nation

Tsawwassen First Nation

Katzie First Nation

Wet’suwet’en First Nation 

The Real War Facing the Wet’suwet’en First Nation

Land Acknowledgements

Example of Burnaby School District’s land acknowledgement:

The Burnaby School District would like to acknowledge and thank the Coast Salish Nations of Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish, on whose traditional territory we teach, learn and live.

The Territory Acknowledgement is meant to be flexible and can be adapted to suit the needs of the person delivering it.

Example of land acknowledgement protocol for the Wet’suwet’en.

Traditional acknowledgments before a meeting

Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered here today on unceded (____clan) territory, home of the Witsuwit’en Nation. It is important for me to acknowledge this because _________________.

Smithers opening: Gidimt’en-Bear Wolf Clan, on behalf of Chief Wos, a chief position that is currently vacant.
Houston opening: LikhsilyuSmall Frog Clan, on behalf of Chief Ut’akhkw’its, a chief position that is currently vacant.
Moricetown: Likhsilyu-Small Frog

Inquiry Question

You and your group will develop an inquiry question for the First Nation you are studying. Your question should fall under the umbrella question: How have First Nations’ governance changed over time?

Your group’s questions should be specific to your First Nation and relevant to what you have learned about that First Nation. Your group will decide on this question together, and together research and write an answer to your question to present at the end of your PowerPoint.

Examples of a good inquiry question:​

• How has the introduction of a treaty (or some other agreement) impacted or changed the life of the indigenous people?​
• How does having both a hereditary chief and an elected chief impacted the decision-making process for the First Nation?​
• How has the introduction of some new form of governance improved or detracted from the health and well-being of First Nation communities?
• How have the responsibilities of First Nations leaders such as a Chief changed over time?
• Why did the Canadian government want all First Nations to have the same elected form of government?
• How has control over First Nations land changed?
• How (or why) have traditional forms of government continued in many First Nations communities?
• In what ways are First Nations achieving self-government today?

 

This term (1 – 2019), we’ll be looking at government. We’ll be exploring some of the resources shared by StudentVote.ca

To begin, take a look at the following YouTube link: