Whose Land Is This Anyway? RAVEN Takes a Fresh, Funny Look at Indigenous Rights

Welcome to Home on Native Land, a new, free self-guided online course about Indigenous justice in Canada.

Through a series of 10 videos, illustrative cartoons and lessons, participants are invited to take a walk down the back alley of history—and the frontlines of legal action—with Anishinaabe journalist and comedian Ryan McMahon.

While we may all have heard about Residential Schools, treaties, and reconciliation, how much do any of us know about the Indigenous laws that have been around for far longer than the Canadian constitution?

While Home on Native Land offers an unflinching look into the ways Canadian institutions have, and continue, to perpetuate injustice towards Indigenous Peoples, the course offers encouragement and guidance about the ways we can work together to build good relationships. Through storytelling, interviews, and some very funny reflections, the course is designed to entertain, educate and hopefully change how people think about ‘our home on native land.

LEARN, LAUGH, LITIGATE

“We designed this course in response to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), urging individual Canadians in general and businesses, in particular, to become educated about the legal realities of Indigenous Peoples in this country,” said RAVEN Executive Director Susan Smitten.

“What leading First Nations thinkers, artists and—yes—comedians reveal in their reflections is fundamental knowledge for anyone who is committed to living in a fair country.”

The course is also available to businesses, who can work with RAVEN to begin to fulfill TRC Call to Action #92. That call challenges the corporate sector to provide education and training for managers on the history of Indigenous Peoples, intercultural competency, and human rights.

Said Smitten, “Home on Native Land offers teams an introduction to key concepts, insights to foster discussion, and a pathway for ongoing learning. Whether you are a tech company with 500 employees, a neighbourhood coffee shop, or an online retailer, if you are doing business on Indigenous land, you’ve got work to do. Home on

Native Land is here to help—and it’s designed to make the process feel creative, safe, and—importantly, unintimidating.”

Business leaders who want to lead the way in fostering better relationships between settlers and Indigenous Peoples are invited to reach out to RAVEN to find out how to use Home on Native Land with their teams.

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS

More than 2,500 people have enrolled in Home on Native Land since its release in mid-January. People are saying this free online course is “eye-opening,” “shocking,” “hilarious,” and “affirming.”

Said Smitten, “There has been a pretty wide spectrum of reactions, reflecting not only the amazing diversity of people’s understanding of Indigenous issues but also the skillful way in which esteemed experts take serious topics and illuminate them with eloquence and humour.

“The funny stuff is disarming, but it also takes some of the anxiety and intensity away from what are very contentious issues so we can look at them with an open mind and heart.”

RAVEN has been honoured to work with the likes of Dr. Glen Coulthard, Kukpi7 Chief Judy Wilson and John Borrows, O.C.—all brilliant legal thinkers who bring their own lived experience as Indigenous people to topics like Treaty Rights, UNDRIP, the Doctrine of Discovery, and the Indian Act.

Whether you’re someone who’s fuzzy on the details of Indigenous history or you spend your free time reading every book you can get your hands on, Home on Native Land is more than just a primer in Indigenous-settler relations. Thanks to patient explanations delivered through video dialogues, Home on Native Land breaks down complicated concepts so people can build their confidence and participate in the courageous conversations we need to have in this country.

A Force Of Nature

Though they’ve been ignored and often trampled over the past 150 years, Indigenous Peoples have ways of relating to the land and to one another that enabled humans to live on these lands and waters for thousands of years: without disrupting the ecological balance.

“By working in solidarity with Indigenous leaders, RAVEN uses the power of the crowd to fundraise for groundbreaking legal challenges protecting land, air, and water for future generations,” Smitten explained.

“Indigenous laws—and the very best parts of Canada’s constitution—are upheld by treaties and validated again and again in the country’s courts. This braiding of traditions offers a path forward not only for cultural understanding but for our very survival in a time of climate crisis.”

RAVEN encourages everyone to check out Home on Native Land and join forces to become part of putting reconciliation into action.

Sign up at homeonnativeland.com

To find out how your business can begin to tackle the TRC Calls to Action by using Home on Native Land, contact andrea@raventrust.com powerful tool to help all Canadians understand their role in speaking up and taking action against discrimination and injustice, and becoming stronger players and allies, both in their communities and across the nation.

This new online module for the public, in line with recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), will build the capacity to recognize and act to prevent the occurrence of anti-Indigenous racism. The TRC called for education on the history and legacy of Residential Schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Treaties, Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Indigenous-Crown relations, as well as skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism for public servants. Additionally, it calls for age-appropriate curriculum on Residential Schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada to be a mandatory education requirement for kindergarten to Grade 12 students and funding for post-secondary institutions to educate teachers on how to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms.

To meet this call, The Anishinabek Nation has developed an online module called De’aabshkoo Gdaawmi - We Are All the Same, that will build the capacity to recognize and act to prevent the occurrence of anti-Indigenous racism. The module is publicly available and tailored to meet the target population’s needs, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of all ages, and builds on the expertise and curriculum expectations from the GdooSastamoo Kii Mi Secondary School resource kit.

Anti-Indigenous racism is the ongoing race-based discrimination, negative stereotyping, and injustice policies and procedures in Canada.

The Anishinabek Nation s online module addresses these issues by exploring areas such as Indigenous identity, racism in the classroom, racism in sports, and engaging in dialogue for all Ontarians to fight racism against Indigenous people. Indigenous racism has been alive for many years and impacts every Indigenous person in Canada spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, and on a daily basis. By developing an online education module that is publicly available, the Anishinabek Nation is making it easy for all Canadians to learn about their role in speaking up and taking action against discrimination and injustice with De’aabshkoo Gdaawmi - We Are All the Same. Addressing important issues and providing a platform for ethical issues and take action when doing the right thing is not easy. It involves the willingness to speak out and do what is right. If we carry these values, we will be a better and stronger community.”

—Tee Duke,

Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation

The Anishinabek Nation is taking a proactive approach to addressing anti-Indigenous racism by developing education tools that support a culturally responsive, strength-based, and trauma-informed practice. As Canadians, when we take the time to learn and grow, we create a more inclusive society for us all.

Find more information and resources at anishinabek.ca or scan the QR code above.

Adjoa Andoh Narrates BBC Earth’s Latest Landmark Series, Serengeti III

The real-life animal drama captures the love and loss, jealousy and rivalry, tragedy and triumph of the beloved cast of characters living in the Serengeti

Actor and Bridgerton star Adjoa

Andoh narrates Serengeti III, following the success of Serengeti I and II. The new six-part series is directed by Emmy® awardwinning director and producer John Downer.

Serengeti III follows the next chapter in the story of the animals as they navigate the highs and lows of life on the savannah. As an enormous fire rages across the plains, all the animals must flee or seek shelter, but who will survive?

In the apocalyptic wasteland left behind, Bakari the baboon, Kali the lioness, and Mzuri the leopardess must draw upon all their resources to stay alive. Familiar characters are joined by new cast members, such as Utani the hapless mongoose babysitter and Mafuta the adorable baby hippo.

New episodes of Serengeti III rollout every Sunday on BBC Earth during the channel’s nationwide free preview event. BBC Earth is also available via Prime Video Channels with Serengeti III available to stream simultaneously.

“The thing I was most struck by is the relationship between these groups of animals. When they are threatened from the outside, wow! Even the smallest creatures can bind together and fight off a potential threat. And I find that incredibly moving. And I really hope the series touches people in a way that makes them reflect on how we treat nature. It really touched me and it’s also just tremendous to watch,” says Andoh, explaining why she was drawn to the project.

Director John Downer adds: “I am delighted that Adjoa has been able to lend the clarity and warmth of her beautiful voice to

Serengeti III and the story it tells.

In each series, the camera teams capture astonishing behaviour from inside the animal world. This time our animal characters surprised us once again in ways I could never have imagined. I always wanted it to be the animals’ story, about the intimacy of their family lives, their relationships and how their way of life speaks to us. This time, above all else, it seems they had something important to tell.”

Serengeti III captures the unimaginable beauty of Africa, whilst highlighting the daily challenges of life in the Serengeti using multi-camera viewpoints and new immersive filming techniques. Over 1,000 filming days were used to capture the extraordinary behaviour that lies at the heart of this series as it brings together our favourite animal cast in a dramatic tale of survival, heartbreak and redemption. The finale of Serengeti III airs Sunday, April 23 during the channel’s highly-anticipated Earth Week programming event, happening April 17-23. BBC Earth’s Earth Week event features a collection of landmark series narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough, Adjoa Andoh and Professor Brian Cox. The channel is in free preview until April 30.

2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations: A Community on a Mission

Historically, Two-Spirit referred to ancient teaching—people who were gifted among beings because they carried both male and female spirits. They were honoured and revered, seen as visionaries and healers, and were a source of strength for the People of the First Nations.

Community-led agency 2Spirited People of the 1st Nations is reclaiming the power and the history behind Two-Spirits and using it to carve a new way forward for Two-Spirited individuals from the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in the Greater Toronto Area. Led by Keith McCrady, an Ojibway, Cree, and Two-Spirited individual from the Bear Clan, the organization is on a mission to build a robust support system and ensure the rights of Two-Spirited people and Indigenous women, queer and nonbinary people across the country.

The 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations team more than understand the needs of the community they serve—they’re part of it. The team is comprised of TwoSpirited Indigenous people living with HIV/AIDS, 2SLGBTQ+, low-income individuals, those with unique gifts and disabilities, marginalized groups, and people facing health inequities, including immigrants and refugees. The organization is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors, made up of seven members, including Indigenous people living with HIV/AIDS, who provide direction and support to governance.

The 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations are pioneers in providing holistic, land-based HIV/ AIDS treatment, care, and referral support programs to Two-Spirited, queer, and non-binary communities. They offer a range of services, including western and traditional harm reduction services, culturally supported HIV-Self Testing, education, awareness, and prevention activities for Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI). The organization also has a dedicated Positive Living Program for community members living with HIV, which aims to eliminate AIDS by ensuring that undetectable can mean untransmittable.

The Positive Living Program includes a range of services, such as the eight-week-long Food for Positive Living program, which provides weekly warm meals along with recipe education brochures for immunocompromised individuals. The Transportation for Positive Living program provides monthly transportation support to attend medical appointments, grocery stores, and ceremonies, while the Personal Hygiene Kits for Positive Living program provides daily hygiene essentials. The Elders Talking Circle and Sweat Lodge for Positive Living program provide monthly Sweat Lodge and talking circle sessions, followed by a feast. These are just scratching the surface of the support that the agency offers.

In addition to these services, the 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations provides holistic support to its communities under a single roof, including client care support to find employment, navigate social assistance, legal services, housing, crisis intervention, cultural support, ceremonies, trauma counselling, Elders support, and home visits. They also develop and provide land-based, culturally supported training to community members, stakeholders, grassroots organizations, and individuals, using Indigenous holistic health and wellness philosophies, and are working to establish a shelter and transit home for those who end up in Toronto without support and community protection.

Teeming with ideas to strengthen and empower our communities, there are big plans for 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations. Last month, a conference of over 100 community leaders, advocates, and members gathered to address community needs in Ontario and launched the first Two-Spirited Bursary Program, established to award 11 low barriers bursaries to TwoSpirited, Indigenous women, and LGBTQQIA students and community leaders.

Visit 2spirits.org/donate-now to learn more about how you can get involved in protecting the rights of Two-Spirited people, Indigenous women, queer and non-binary people in Canada.