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IA ITI C E D SP E
Revitalizes Indigenous Languages with Modern Technology
Jolene Stockman
Award-Winning Māori Author Offers Rare View into the World
of Autism
International Designers
Elevate Indigenous Fashion on the Runway
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GLOBAL INDIGENEITY
2 | GLOBAL INDIGENEITY
SINCE 2002
CONTENTS
6
Winners of SAY’s ‘Celebrating Indigenous Languages’ Contest
ISSUE 100
GLOBAL INDIGENEITY
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SAY MAGAZINE Volume 18, Issue 7 SAY Magazine publishes eight times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, as well as Health and Fitness, Back2School, Economic Development and Education Guide issues. SAY Magazine is published by Spirit of Aboriginal Youth Inc. Mailing Address: Kildonan Place, RPO Box 43084 Winnipeg, MB Canada R2C 5G7 E: info@saymag.com www.saymag.com Publishers Dominick Blais and Kent Brown Editor-in-Chief Danielle Vienneau editor@saymag.com General Manager Sarah Ritchie
SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for submitted material. SAY Magazine assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or in submitted material. Graphics, photographs, editorial content and other printed material are the property of SAY Magazine and may not be used without the written permission of SAY Magazine. ISSN: 1707-3049 All copy copyright 2018 by SAY Magazine GST: 856627534RT0001
Cover Story: Ogoki Learning Inc. Aims to Preserve and Revitalize Tribal Languages all over the World
Northern Dogs 8 IFAW’s Project Fashion on 14 Indigenous the International Stage
20 Music Indigenous Law 28 World Conference
16 100 Issues of SAY Magazine
Art Director Orli Gelfat - Orli G. Design Ad Sales/Subscriptions Megan Henry subscriptions@saymag.com Printed in Canada Website and Social Media Sphere Media Agency info@spheremediaagency.com Submissions are welcome. Articles, letters, queries, etc. should be sent by email to the editor at editor@saymag.com. Connect with us: www.facebook.com/saymagazine www.twitter.com/SAYMagazine www.instagram.com/say_magazine www.pinterest.ca/SAYMagazine
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World’s First National Indigenous Broadcaster Celebrates 20th Anniversary
24
Meet Jolene Stockman, Indigenous Champion and Master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming GLOBAL INDIGENEITY | 3
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
“Language is one of the fundamental preconditions for human development, dialogue, reconciliation, tolerance, diversity and the peaceful existence of human societies.”
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(2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages. www.iyil2019.org)
anguage is one of the ways we can better understand the world we live in—to learn our histories, share our stories, defend our rights and create plans for the future. Language is diverse and beautiful, and holds the key to our identities, cultures and recollections. It plays a significant role in the daily lives of all people, contributing to our values, views and behaviours.
For something so valuable to be lost (and at such an alarming rate) is the reason why the United Nations declared 2019 The Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL2019). IYIL2019 called for urgent action and global attention. It called on global society and stakeholders, including governments, the media, the private and public sector, and other organizations—everyone—to become involved in the global initiative of preserving and revitalizing Indigenous languages.
With over 7,000 languages in the world, it is estimated that about 2,000 of those languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers (infoplease.com). According to the United Nations, there are approximately 370 million Indigenous peoples in the world, 90 countries with Indigenous communities, 5,000 different Indigenous cultures and an estimated 2,680 Indigenous languages at risk of extinction.
In appreciation of the many diverse Indigenous cultures around the globe, SAY is pleased to celebrate its 100 issue with special attention to the survival and strength of Indigenous languages. Featured on the cover is Darrick Baxter, President and CEO of Ogoki Learning Inc., a pioneer in mobile learning. Discover how the development of language apps are revolutionizing the way people learn and teach ancestral languages. On page 24, Māori author and motivational speaker Jolene Stockman discusses language and how it relates to autism and identity. Read on for more inspirational stories and to discover the winners of SAY’s latest art and poetry contest.
Society needs language to communicate from generation to generation—to pass on knowledge, ideas and traditions that make us human and unique. So why are so many Indigenous languages at risk of disappearing? The reasons for language endangerment vary throughout locations and communities, but one thing is certain: all represent a tremendous challenge to Indigenous peoples as many speak the vast majority of languages that are considered endangered.
From all of us at SAY, we hope 2020 brings you great joy, happiness, triumph and inspiration. We can’t wait to share your story! Danielle Vienneau, Editor-in-Chief
Next Issue: Annual Education Guide for Indigenous Students
Issue Name
Issue Theme #
Space Material Reservation Deadline
Publication Dates
Education Guide
101
Education
Jan. 10, 2020
Jan. 17, 2020
Feb. 14, 2020
Spring 2020
102
Leadership
Feb. 14, 2020
Feb. 28, 2020
Mar. 23, 2020
Career Development
103
Building a Skilled Indigenous Mar. 27, 2020 Workforce
Apr. 10, 2020
May 4, 2020
Summer 2020
104
Summer Solstice
May 1, 2020
May 15, 2020
June 8, 2020
Back2School
105
Back to School
June 5, 2020
June 30, 2020
Aug. 17, 2020
Fall 2020
106
Business
Sept. 14, 2020 Sept. 28, 2020
Oct. 19, 2020
Dates subject to change. Advertising inquiries contact: info@saymag.com 1.204.977.2805 Order your subscription from the webstore at: www.saymag.com 4 | GLOBAL INDIGENEITY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2020 JAN 27-29
Cannexus20 National Career Development Conference by CERIC Shaw Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada www.cannexus.ca
JAN 28-30
17th Annual BC Natural Resource Forum Prince George Conference and Civic Centre Prince George, British Columbia, Canada www.bcnaturalresourcesforum.com
FEB 11-13
MAR 24-27
Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) San Diego Convention Center San Diego, California, USA www.indiangamingtradeshow.com
APR 23-25
Gathering of Nations Pow Wow & Miss Indian World Pageant Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA www.gatheringofnations.com
3rd Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference Native Learning Center Hollywood, Florida, USA
MAY 12-14
FEB 27-29
MAY 28-31
Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference 2020 Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada www.yfncc.ca/aiic2020
MAR 6
2020 Aboriginal Circle of Educators (ACE) Conference Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
MAR 6
2020 Indspire Awards Ottawa, Ontario, Canada www.indspire.ca/events/indspire-awards
MAR 15-21
2020 Arctic Winter Games Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada www.arcticwintergames.org
24th Annual Vision Quest Conference and Trade Show Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada www.vqconference.com Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto Harbourfront Centre Theatre Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.ifwtoronto.com
JUN 7-9
7th International Indigenous Trade Mission & Conference University of Oklahoma College of Law Norman, Oklahoma, USA www.iitio.org/2020-attendee-registration-form
JUN 19-20
1st Annual International Indigenous Hip Hop Awards Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada www.indigenoushiphopawards.com
GLOBAL INDIGENEITY | 5
CONTEST
Year of Indigenous Languages
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he Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL2019) officially wrapped up on December 17 with a high-level event at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City, New York, USA. The event, convened by the President of the UN General Assembly, was organized in collaboration with UNESCO and UNDESA, and was attended by member states, Indigenous peoples, UN system organizations, observers of the general assembly and other relevant stakeholders. As this Indigenous language awareness campaign comes to a close, the work and the journey continues. We all play a collective role in protecting and promoting our languages for those that speak them now, and in the future.
To celebrate IYIL2019 and SAY’s 100th issue, we ran a global contest in November encouraging individuals to submit poetry and/or artwork that celebrates Indigenous languages and cultures. With so many incredible submissions, it proved very difficult for SAY’s selection committee to choose the winners. Thank you to all who shared their inspiring works and stories. Congratulations to Canadian residents Autumn Whiteway of Calgary, Alberta, for the submission of a painted photograph titled “Nêhiyawêmototawikoyahk” (pictured below) and to Jade Roberts of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for her poetry submission titled “Reclaim” (pictured on page 7). Their artistry really captures the spirit of the contest, the vitality of Indigenous languages and the meaning behind the artform.
Autumn Whiteway
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Autumn Whiteway (“Night Singing Woman”) is a Saulteaux/Métis visual artist and traditional craftworker. As an archaeologist, she has always been curious about the material culture produced by her ancestors in addition to traditional knowledge passed down through the generations. This curiosity led her on a path of discovery to learn how to make traditional Indigenous crafts such as drums and rattles, moose and caribou hair tufts, fish scale art, porcupine quillwork, beadwork, dreamcatchers and jewellery. She additionally explores Indigenous themes from a contemporary perspective through painting and photography. Her submitted work “Nêhiyawêmototawikoyahk”(featured below) is about language revitalization. “As I learn the Cree language, the syllabics are jumbled as they exit my mouth. However, as I learn more Cree, they formulate into a complete sentence,” explained Whiteway.
CONTEST
By Jade Roberts
my tongue is frozen with fear i will stumble and choke on these words as they come out jagged and broken but i’ll say them anyway as an act of courage and reclamation to my own identity
Jade Roberts
RECLAIM
tanisi jade roberts nitsikayson (hello my name is Jade Roberts) wapiskaw pihesiw iskwew nitsikayson (my name is white thunderbird woman) mistahi sakahikan ohci niya (I am from La Ronge) ekwa nistanaw niyanosap nitahto piponan (and I am 25 years old)
the language that became foreign to me because of fear will no longer be afraid slowly my tongue will melt the sounds will drip from my mouth like water and the words will flow smoothly this is a reminder we are babies learning and speaking lateral kindness will replace lateral violence and we will reclaim our language together
niwahkomakanak (my relatives) ekay pome (don’t be discouraged) akahmeyimoh (despite everything don’t give up) kaki-ihkin (it is possible, it could happen)
Digital self-portrait by Jade Roberts reveals the Cree word “tapwe” meaning “that’s true”.
Jade Roberts is a Woodland Cree woman from Lac La Ronge Indian Band. She currently resides in Treaty 6 Territory in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Roberts is an educator and the creator and host of the Still Here Still Healing podcast. She enjoys expressing herself through exploratory writing and digital art. Learning and reclaiming language and culture offers Roberts strength, and it is something she tries to express in her work and personal life. Roberts had this to say about her submission:
“My poem speaks to how I feel about relearning my language and how we need to help each other in reclaiming our Indigenous languages. I also include Cree in my poem, which I feel is important.”
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COMMUNITY FEATURE
Photo credit: IFAW/Kristin Schnelten
A New Way to Live with Dogs Healthy Dogs and Healthy Northern Communities
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Dogs have been a part of Indigenous communities for thousands of years, used by our ancestors to hunt, carry loads and travel. Post-European contact, everything changed. As the years went by, vehicles were introduced, grocery stores were built, and dogs and their behaviours also 8 | GLOBAL INDIGENEITY
changed. Dogs were used for specific purposes and when they were no longer needed, our relationship with dogs was forever altered. Dogs no longer live with us as they once did, and we are finding a new way forward together. A lack of culturally-based understanding and infrastructure (veterinary services,
Photo credit: IFAW/Res Krebs
By S. Ritchie everal legends and stories exist that tell of how dogs came to live with Indigenous nations and tribes. Stanford Owl, member of Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation, tells the teaching of how the dog came to live with the Anishinaabe people. “Long ago, the dog lived in the wild with the rest of the animals. The animals would come into the community and help themselves to any person they wanted to eat, taking them back into the bush. One day, the big boss bear called a meeting about the next day’s attack. But the dog, feeling sorry for the people, snuck off into the village to warn them. The wolf was suspicious as to why the dog was sneaking off, and he caught the dog warning the people. The wolf went back and told the big boss bear. The big boss bear said to the dog, ‘Since you like those people so much, you can go and live with them.’ And that’s how the dog came to live with the Anishinaabe people.”
bylaw regulations, etc.) for managing this changed relationship between people and their dogs has resulted in animal health and welfare problems, as well as human health and safety issues, in many north-
ern communities in Canada (and in other parts of the world). With packs of dogs roaming the streets, it has become an unhealthy and unsafe environment for both dogs and community members, often leading to drastic and tragic culls to reduce the number of roaming animals. For some Indigenous communities, communities like Sagamok First Nation and the Cree Nation of Wemindji, it became clear there had to be a better way to live with dogs.
“The dog never left us, but in a lot of ways, some of us have actually left the dog.” - Isaac Murdoch, Anishinaabe Storyteller
The Northern Dogs Project In 2001, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) started the Northern Dogs Project. The first of its kind, this initiative partners with councils and community
COMMUNITY FEATURE
members who are concerned about unmanaged dog populations. Together they work to build strong humananimal relationships by implementing comprehensive strategies and services, such as exploratory workshops, veterinary clinics and culturally-relevant education. “Spaying and neutering and dog removal, while it can be part of an effective plan, is only part of the solution,” explained Janice Hannah, Humane Indigenous Communities and Northern Dogs Project Director. “Dogs are domestic animals and they depend on us for their needs, and we are responsible for making sure they are safe around people in the community and each other.” For the Northern Dogs Project, it has always been important to approach animal issues through the eyes of the communities. During exploratory workshops and discussions, Hannah said she focuses on questions such as: “How do you want to live with your dogs?” and “How do we get you there in a way that’s culturally relevant for you and your community members?” Photo credit: IFAW/Marco Libretti
“Wemindji is a huge success story in the evolution of the dog population from the north. I hope the story gets out and people realize it’s doable, it’s manageable, it can be done.” - Lori Mercer Photo credit: Lori Mercer
side to walk her dog only to return home with another one or two, or half a dozen, dogs at her heels. The Northern Dogs Project had already begun working in Wemindji, and it didn’t take long for Mercer to offer her time. She quickly became known as the community’s go-to person for all things dog, a role that was made official in 2014 when she was appointed as Animal Care and Control Officer. “I think the community always wanted change, even before I came into the position,” commented Mercer. “But before, there was no place they could go; there was no one to turn to.” While Wemindji has had dog control and care bylaws since the mid 1980s, a lack of awareness and clarity on who was supposed to be in charge of animal welfare made it hard to regulate, and nuisance dog issues continued. Through a combination of veterinary care, bylaw enforcement and proper monitoring, the Cree Nation of Wemindji has succeeded in creating a safe and healthy dog population.
Dog population management is a science, Hannah explained, and by integrating the proper systems and working with people who can effectively lead the projects, communities can find a better way to live with dogs. A Tail of Two First Nations Cree Nation of Wemindji (Quebec, Canada) Lori Mercer moved to the Cree Nation of Wemindji with her husband 16 years ago. She recalls the first few months, going out-
Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation (Ontario, Canada) Stanford Owl (Ojibwe) started working as Animal Control Officer for Sagamok First Nation in 2009. With so many animals suffering from diseases like parvo and distemper and people being bitten by roaming dogs, Owl knew the issue needed to be addressed. So, Owl reached out to the Animal Rescue Foundation and the Northern Dogs Project, and in 2011, Sagamok First Nation held its very first vaccination clinic, with
around 43 owners bringing in their pets to be treated. “The major hurdle is awareness,” explained Owl, “awareness that you do have to take care of your dog, you do have to vaccinate it to protect it against all these diseases.” And although progress may not come as fast as one hopes, Owl is seeing positive
Photo credit: IFAW film still
change in his first nation. “Now we have more people coming out to get their dogs vaccinated, we have more people wanting to spay and neuter their dogs.” According to Owl, approximately 40% of registered dogs are fixed, with more on the way through education and awareness. A couple years after the very first clinic, Owl enlisted the help of the Northern Dogs Project to build and bring in 50 dog houses, an idea that was so well-received, IFAW rolled it out nationally last year. To access IFAW’s free teaching resource created by First Nations for First Nations, visit ifaw.org/living-in-a-good-way-with-dogs. GLOBAL INDIGENEITY | 9
COVER STORY
Innovative Language Apps
Inspire Learning of Ancestral Languages
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By D. Vienneau goki Learning Inc. was founded on the principles of revitalizing and preserving the world’s ancestral languages using modern technology that is user- and classroom-friendly. Ogoki is an Indigenous-owned full-service language app development company that helps its clients maintain their own apps and develop new ones.
Years ago, entrepreneur Darrick Baxter realized his daughter wasn’t learning their language (Ojibwe) despite his best efforts, and certainly not from the educational materials he had purchased (books, CDs, etc.). Being an experienced technologist, he wrote the code for a new language application. He never planned to release the app; however, a single event in his home changed everything. After hearing his daughter speak Ojibwe to her grandmother by using the app, Baxter knew he had to make the application available to everyone.
Strengthening Global Languages The initial goal of the first language app was to provide teachers with a tool to assist them in teaching the Ojibwe language in the classroom. After releasing the source code (almost 10 years ago now) and gaining considerable media attention from around the globe, Ogoki Learning Inc. began its language revitalization efforts, helping tribes all over the world. He released it on the App Store and distributed it for free—so that others could experience a similar magical moment. After seeing the positive results within his own family, he knew he needed to do more—to help revitalize the 6,000-plus languages that are at risk of disappearing over the next century. So he did something crazy—he released the app source code online, allowing every single tribe to download, distribute and use it. This is how Ogoki Learning Inc. began.
“Elders love to teach and children love to learn. Why not give them both tools to use our ancestral languages every day?” – Darrick Baxter
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With an upsurge of phone calls and increased global interest, Ogoki Learning Inc. has gone on to create more than 170 language apps and interactive learning tools across Turtle Island. In 2015, with Ogoki’s global efforts established, Baxter was invited to present a TEDx Talk in his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. “Accomplishing something of great magnitude is by no means a one-person job,” Baxter told the audience. “We all have a responsibility to save these tribal languages.”
COVER STORY
To put it into perspective, Baxter described what it is like to get a phone call from a tribe that has only two or three living speakers left. “It’s very humbling,” he said.
cal sites and traditional territories, learning skills like hunting and fishing in 360° virtual reality. Language Projects and Initiatives Over the summer, Ogoki Learning Inc. led a week-long workshop and developed the Moose 101 Anishinaabemowin Language App featuring different parts of a moose for the Wiikwemikong Board of Education in Ontario, Canada. “The reason why we wanted the app was because most of our educators don’t speak the language,” said Sandra Peltier, Lead Program Teacher with the Wiikwemkoong Anishinaabemowin Kinoomaagewin. “The next phase is to create a proposal to combine language and land-based connections.”
Currently, Ogoki Learning Inc. is developing a Universal Premium Language App and a customized Language Game App with Aaniiih Nakoda College in Harlem, Montana, USA. They are also working with Blackfeet Community College (Browning, Montana) on a new Universal Language App, an updated version of an earlier app with a new look and audio recordings. “By blending the future of technology with the history of tribal language, Blackfeet Community College (BCC) has developed Montana’s first Native American language application for smartphone users. The BBC Blackfeet Culture and Language Division has teamed up with Ogoki Learning and has developed the first of many apps for the Blackfeet language.” (“Language
“Their languages could be gone tomorrow. Their Elders could be gone tomorrow, taking with them thousands of words, thousands of phrases and hundreds of years of oral history.” As his words sunk in, he further urged his audience, “By downloading a language app, we can all help strengthen global languages today.” What They Offer Ogoki Learning Inc. does it all, from software development to training, editing to everything in between. If you’re up to speed on all things technology (and even if you’re not), you’ll be thrilled to know that Ogoki offers six innovative language apps: Single Device Language App; Multiple Device Language App; Universal Premium Language App (their most popular to-date); Full Immersion Language App (ideal for schools); Web-Based Desktop App; and the Virtual Village Language App, which takes students into historiGLOBAL INDIGENEITY | 11
COVER STORY
Revitalization: At Tribal Colleges and Universities”. 1993-2018. Tribal College Press.) The company has also developed a customized Band Housing App that will provide data management software for housing authorities and departments across Canada’s First Nations, and interactive VR apps for Native American museums and historical places.
In July 2019, Ogoki Learning Inc. expanded to Southeast Asia and opened an office in Taipei, Taiwan. This expansion gives Ogoki the ability to complete projects on a global scale with less development time and greater quality, thus improving their existing clients’ apps. For more information, call 204-615-6454 or visit www.ogokilearning.com and www.bandhousing.com.
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Darrick Baxter President and CEO of Ogoki Learning Inc. Entrepreneur Darrick Baxter is one of Canada’s most prominent app developers and North America’s leading technologist in the field of Language Revitalization. With over 170 apps in the App Store, and more apps featured on the front page of Apple iTunes than any other company in Canada, Baxter is recognized internationally as a leader in tribal business. He is best known for delivering an inspirational TEDx Talk on the subject of Technology and Innovation, and Mobile App Development. His work has also been featured on CTV National News, CBC Newsworld, ABC News, CBC Radio, NPR, Voice of America and other journal publications. Baxter is the leading visionary and pioneer behind OjibwayTV, a streaming Ojibway language service, and the First Nation Band Housing App that organizes housing inventory on First Nations. Baxter served as a computer science instructor for the University of Winnipeg’s PACE program before starting his career as an entrepreneur and becoming a member of the board of directors for OLPC (One Laptop Per Child). A keynote speaker for
various events including Startup Canada Prairies and a panelist at the 2019 Chief Information Officers Annual Conference, Baxter devotes his time to helping create the next generation of app developers and has trained over 280 Indigenous learners. He currently lives in Taipei, Taiwan.
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FASHION
International Cultural Couture Designers Elevate Indigenous Fashion on the Runway
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By S. Ritchie lothing is so much more than just pieces of fabric we put on in the morning. The way we dress our bodies is a visual representation of our culture and identity. It is an expression of our people, our environment, our art and our stories. Fashion is a global language, one that both unifies and distinguishes. In northern Canada, Inuit clothing is deeply rooted in the traditional use of seal skin and fur. In the southern hemisphere, Australian Indigenous clothing can be identified by its flowing fabric and vibrant dot art. Even on Turtle Island, the art of moccasin-making varies greatly between nations and tribes.
This shift can also be seen in the rise of Indigenous fashion weeks, taking place all over the world in recent years, in places like Paris, France; Sydney, Australia; Sante Fe, USA; and Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, Canada. Coming up in May 2020, the second biennial Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (IFWTO) is bringing together more than 23 Canadian and international Indigenous artists and designers to share their cultures through design, fashion, textiles and crafts. While the name says fashion week, the four-day event is really a celebration of art 14 | GLOBAL INDIGENEITY
For many Indigenous designers, fashion is a way to tell their stories, and IFWTO centres its runways around the art of storytelling. Each of the four 2020 runway showcases focuses on a different theme of water, encouraging each designer to tell a story that is unique to their culture, and to them. TU GH’EH NAH (Water is Life) features fashions created as a form of protest; TU CHO (Big Water) showcases designs celebrating the way water connects us; TU GH’EG TL’E’TH (Streams) spotlights rivers as the earth’s lifeblood; and TU GH’EL T’ILHN (Water Carriers) celebrates women as carriers of life. “The programmed runway artists and designers are diverse and individually unique in vision, style, skill and form,” said Sage Paul, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of IFWTO. “They have created beautiful collections of garments, accessories and jewellery that carry cultural continuity in their artistic creation and presentation and promote the economic development of our communities that I think will insightfully captivate audiences.” These designers are truly inspiring leaders, creating beautiful designs and enacting powerful change. SAY Magazine is pleased to share the stories of some of these impressive artists with you in the months leading up to IFWTO 2020, beginning with Victor Baguilat Jr. of Kandama Social Enterprise. Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto takes place May 28-31, 2020. For more information on the event and to see the complete list of designers, go to ifwtoronto.com.
Photo credit: Nadya Kwandibens - Red Works Photography
Yet, the westernized fashion industry suffers from a lack of inclusivity and cultural appropriation, and over the years Indigenous fashions have too often been stereotyped, commodified and exploited. This is starting to change, though, as Indigenous designers take to the world runways, reclaiming and showcasing the beauty of their cultures through cutting-edge couture.
and culture. In addition to four main runway events, IFWTO also features special programs, a marketplace, an art exhibit, workshops and panels.
FASHION
Victor Baguilat Jr. Kandama Social Enterprise
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ilipino designer Victor Baguilat Jr. has been electrifying the global fashion scene with his modern Filipino fashions for the past two years. Kandama, named for the Tuwali word meaning ‘power’, is a social enterprise empowering women from the northern province of Ifugao, transforming their stunning handwoven fabrics into culturally-inspired designs. Since launching Kandama Social Enterprise in 2017, Baguilat has dressed several prominent Filipino celebrities, including Spanish-Filipina model/actress Marian Rivera, Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, and Miss Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados. Baguilat has showcased his designs at five international fashion weeks, including New York and Paris, and looks forward to being part of IFWTO 2020. SAY had the opportunity to speak with this up-and-coming designer about his Indigenous fashions. SAY: Why did you start Kandama Social Enterprise? Baguilat: In my fourth year of law school, I realized that I am too fabulous to memorize different law provisions, so I left without knowing what to do next.
SAY: How do you blend tradition and heritage with contemporary style? Baguilat: We indigenize the modern, instead of modernizing the indigenous. We take contemporary styles that a Kandama
SAY: What are some components of Indigenous Filipino culture that you share through your fashion? Baguilat: I want to share distinct Filipino styles that every Filipino can resonate with wherever they are in the world— the butterfly sleeves, the pineapple fabric, the panuelo, the terno and many more. I also want to share the story behind every fabric and the stories of the Indigenous women behind the fabric. SAY: Why did you decide to take a cultural approach to fashion? Baguilat: I simply love culture and heritage; it has a lot of depth and meaning. I started Kandama Social Enterprise at a time when I felt lost—I was searching for meaning. Culture brings meaning if you look deep enough. SAY: Have you participated at IFWTO before? What are you most excited about? Baguilat: No, this is my first time! I am most excited about meeting fellow Indigenous designers, artists and models. It has always been an enriching experience to interact with them and to see their lovely works of art.
Photo credit: Mariana Lane, Model: Jennifer Lane
Just like a lot of millennials, I googled “What is the meaning of life?” That Google search led me to social entrepreneurship. I remembered a trip to my dad’s hometown in Ifugao, where I saw textiles from China and Thailand being sold as locally handwoven fabrics. I told myself that the influx of cheap fabrics would kill the industry and something had to be done about it.
woman would wear and simply use our handwoven fabrics to give life and meaning to regular garments.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Rogers Hometown Hockey in Cree. Photo credit: APTN
Sharing Our Stories for 20 Years
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By APTN Communications
he story of APTN is a story of the north, the east and the west. APTN tells the stories of Turtle Island. When the network began 20 years ago, it became the world’s first national Indigenous broadcaster, speaking to, and for, the nearly 1.8 million Indigenous peoples living in Canada at the time. APTN’s mission has been to share our peoples’ journey, celebrate our cultures, inspire our children and honour the wisdom of our Elders. These goals are respected to this day, a full 20 years after APTN began. The Beginning: Where APTN Came From It wasn’t until 1972 that the first geostationary satellites were launched, enabling northern communities to experience real-time television, but from a perspective that wasn’t their own.
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The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) determined that content coming from the south threatened the northern way of life and that Canada needed to help preserve the languages and cultures of northern Indigenous communities. This momentum helped launch a long-term funding initiative, the Northern Native Broadcast Access Program (NNBAP), to support the development of Indigenous television and radio programming. But, how would this programming make it to Indigenous audiences? The answer was obvious, but complicated. This opened the door for the creation of APTN. In 1999, when the network debuted with only two channels (today there are four), the programming schedule consisted of National Film Board classics; reruns of movies featuring an Indigenous actor in any role at all; and NNBAP shows.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Middle: Where APTN is Now Today, APTN shares Indigenous stories in English, French and a variety of Indigenous languages. In 2019, APTN broadcast more than 50 hours of Indigenous language programming per week in 23 different languages. During the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, APTN became the world’s first Indigenous Official Broadcaster of any Olympic event, broadcasting up to 14 hours of daily coverage in eight Indigenous languages, plus English and French. And, on March 24, 2019, it broadcast the first-ever NHL game in Plains Cree. The network spearheaded a nationwide agenda in support of National Indigenous Peoples Day when APTN Indigenous Day Live (IDL) launched in 2007, celebrating not only Indigenous peoples’ languages, but cultures as well. IDL is still the largest event held in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day. There are many more milestones in APTN’s history to celebrate: the introduction of the first national call-in current affairs program about Indigenous issues, Contact, in 2000; the launch of APTN National News in 2002, with the first Indigenous television journalism team in the world; the debut of an HD channel in 2008; and the unveiling of radio station ELMNT FM
in Ottawa and Toronto (Ontario, Canada) 10 years later in 2018. It has not been an easy journey. APTN has had to push back against and convince those who did not see the need to let them tell the stories of our people, in the voices of our people. “Some people felt we wouldn’t be around for more than a year or two, but here we are,” said Jean La Rose, outgoing CEO of APTN. Now, APTN is a mandatory service available to nearly 11 million Canadian subscribers that helps to bridge the gap between cultures. The Future: Where APTN is Going Twenty years later, APTN is still growing and continues to blaze new trails in the broadcast industry. For example, the network launched Nouvelles Nationales d’APTN in August as the first national Indigenous newscast in French. And, on September 1, in celebration of its 20th anniversary, the network launched APTN lumi, a streaming platform that brings Indigenous stories all across Canada. Still, more is yet to come. This year is meant to celebrate success and give a voice to all with stories yet to tell.
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MUSIC
Nominated for Best New Artist at the 2019 Indigenous Music Awards, Mi’kmaq rapper Q052 is making waves on the music scene with his latest album. The second album he has released since Rez Life in 2018, QAMA’SI (meaning “stand up”), takes aim at all the difficult issues Indigenous peoples face across Turtle Island, with emotive lyrics that confront governments and individuals, and demand change. Q stands for Quentin, and 052 is the official governmental name for his reserve. For Quentin Condo, who grew up on the Mi’kmaq reservation of Gesgapegiag (Gaspésie, Quebec, Canada), music has always been an outlet. Now, writing and performing under the stage name Q052, he hopes his truth-speaking music will inspire systemic change. Q052 uses hip hop to tell stories of Rez reality, addressing taboo topics and raising
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Photo credit: Yoanis Menge
Q052
awareness about the struggles facing Indigenous communities. His albums challenge the Indian Act system that has been enforced in Canada since the 1800s, while at the same time urging people living inside these systems to take action and make those changes themselves.
As a strong advocate for Indigenous youth and women, Q052’s songs address issues that have been ignored for decades, from Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women to the lack of justice for murdered young Indigenous boys. Through his artistry, he also brings attention to environmental protection and the importance of our territory for our existence. “Rise up People, the time is now!” - Q052
MUSIC
Alan Syliboyand
the Thundermakers Sharing the beauty and spirit of Mi’kmaq culture through music, Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers are a shining star on Canada’s East Coast. The 2019 Nova Scotia Music Awards’ Indigenous Artist of the
Year, the group weaves a tapestry of song, spoken word and story, with live shows enhanced by multi-media art films, and guest musicians and dancers. Led by multi-media artist Alan Syliboy, the Thundermakers consist of musicians Hubert Francis (guitar/vocals), Evan Syliboy (guitar), Lukas Pearse (bass), and Julianne Syliboy and Joanne Hatfield (percussion/ vocals). Following their self-titled album from 2017, their new album Signal Fire dropped this past fall. From Millbrook First Nation in Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, Alan Syliboy has always had a creative soul. Inspired by the Indigenous Mi’kmaq petroglyph (stone etchings) tradition, he has developed an artistic vocabulary that extends beyond the stage.
In 2007, Syliboy helped illustrate the novel The Stone Canoe: Two Lost Mi’kmaq Tales. Influenced by the project, he wrote and illustrated a children’s book called Kaqtukowa’tekete’w (The Thundermaker), a retelling of the Mi’kmaq legend “The Stone Canoe”. Two years later, Syliboy collaborated with Nance Ackerman and Paton Francis to create the animation “Little Thunder” for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Since then, the petroglyphic-style animation has travelled the world, appearing at 40 different festivals. Through his art and music, Syliboy teaches and shares the beauty of the Mi’kmaq culture for the generations to come.
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MUSIC
Shon Denay “Best Female Artist”
Raised in the “City of Lights”, Shantel D. Haynes, also known as Shon Denay, is an Oglala Lakota Sioux and African-American singer-songwriter from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Her distinct sound blends raw neo soul, jazz, cabaret and quiet storm—reminiscent of past jazz artists from the early- to mid-20th century but mixed with contemporary R&B.
2019 has proven to be a successful year for this artist as she celebrates the release of her newest single “All the Time” and the launch of the official music video for “Comeback” featuring Bryan Richard. Her debut EP On the Rocks, produced by Bosie T “Thursty”, recently earned her a NAMMY for Best Female Artist and a nomination at the 2019 Indigenous Music Awards 2019 for Best Pop Album. Over the last decade, she’s contributed her vocals to several tracks from other leading names in the industry. In 2009, she provided vocals for the track “Gotta Move On” on the Love vs. Pain Project produced by Bosie T, and in 2016, her voice was featured on several tracks of the Chico Spitz City of Devils EP.
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Growing up in the entertainment capital of the world, Denay naturally took to performing and won various local talent competitions, including Best Vocal Performance at the Lipservice Awards and Favorite Female at the Bounty Awards. She perfected her stage presence by being cast in high school plays, hosting benefit award shows and joining her school’s dance troupe. In 2002, Denay became a founding member of the Twisted Dance Troupe and remained active in it for seven years. A natural wordsmith, Denay has spent years developing her craft. Inspired by her surroundings, her lyrical content is based mainly on all matters of complex human emotion. An independently-produced artist, she plans to run a grassroots campaign to raise funds for the LP album On the Rocks in hopes of creating a limited edition vinyl version to be carried in independently-owned record stores.
2019
Native American
MUSIC
nêhiyawak
Experimental Rock Trio Releases Debut Album This past October, experimental rock trio nêhiyawak launched their debut album nipiy, a welcome arrival appearing almost a year after the group burst onto the Indigenous music scene in 2018 with their Starlight EP. It’s a moving album filled with powerful juxtapositions—pain and understanding, past and present, knowledge and questioning. Hailing from amiskwaciy (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) on Treaty 6 territory, the group is made up of musicians Marek Tyler (drums), Matthew Cardinal (synth/bass) and Kris Harper (vocals/guitar). The group’s name (pronounced NEH-hee-oh-wuk) is an expression of the members’ ancestry and indigeneity, meaning Cree People, People of the Plains or Free People. nipiy, the cree word for ‘water’, is meant to symbolize the flow and pull of their music
and is a tribute to the lessons that the mighty element has taught them. In the band’s words, “There are many important ideas and teachings that we were raised with in our lives, but few more important than water. It’s a modern conversation with complex meanings and understandings.” With lyrics steeped in cultural connection, the group’s music beautifully merges lingering melodies with churning guitar and terrestrial rhythm. By incorporating traditional instruments with contemporary electronic sounds, nêhiyawak produces an ethereal element to their music. On the new album, the sounds of an elk hide frame-drum, a carved cedar log drum and a pow-wow drum can be heard, played by the band’s drummer Marek Tyler. “I became friends with those drums,” said Tyler. “Together, we played loud. We shared
Jan 20 | nêhiyawak Jan 27 | Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers Feb 3 | Q052 Feb 10 | Shon Denay
whispers. We had a moment. When I heard those drums back in the studio, they sounded beautiful and proud.” nêhiyawak uses carefully-crafted arrangements of spoken word and melody to address difficult topics, such as the Sixties Scoop and disappearing Indigenous peoples. The band hopes this album inspires others to speak out and share their message for future generations.
Visit us at IndigenousinMusic.com GLOBAL INDIGENEITY | 23
2019 Indigenous Music Awards Nominee for Best Radio Station Program
INDIGENOUS CHAMPION
A Rare View into the World of Autism
Jolene Stockman
with
J
By D. Vienneau
olene Stockman is a multi-awardwinning author, speaker and New Zealand Māori (tangata whenua o Aotearoa). She is also autistic. Without knowing it, she has achieved things that this “invisible disability” makes challenging at best, impossible at worst. She is one of the youngest persons in the world to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster award for public speaking and leadership. In 2017, Stockman made the courageous decision to go public with her diagnosis. And, in 2018, she delivered a TEDx Talk that received nationwide interest and exposure. A Master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Stockman is revolutionizing perceptions and encouraging respect for human neurological variation (International Indigenous Speakers Bureau). SAY was incredibly fortunate to speak with Stockman, and we are pleased to share some insight into Stockman’s life as an accomplished author, public speaker, a mom and
a person who at the age of 36 was diagnosed with Asperger’s/autism, forcing her to look at life through an entirely different lens. SAY: Tell us about where you are from. Stockman: I grew up in Taranaki, on the western side of New Zealand’s North Island, which is still home. The mountain is our ancestor; he draws people and holds power. Growing up, I knew that I was Māori, but I had no clear culture or identity around that. SAY: You said you didn’t connect to Māori culture as a child; tell us how being Māori is part of your life now. Stockman: As a child, I believed that I was different, bad and weird. I now know that this was partly due to being autistic, but also because I was missing my cultural identity. I knew I was Māori, but I also had a general sense that it wasn’t a good thing due to the media, society and the bubble I was in. It was a different time, and although we still have a long way to
As soon as you talk about autism, it’s nothing, but when you hide it, it becomes everything.
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go, so much has changed. Growing up has been magical—I have been able to make different choices, to reconnect with my marae (meeting grounds) and my hapū (sub-tribe) and learn the language, which I can now pass on to my children. Changing things for them is my biggest motivator, because identity is everything; it holds you together and makes a difference to your heart in ways you can’t always quantify. I see it in my children. They know who they are. There’s no doubt, and there’s no shame. SAY: How has connecting with your culture impacted you personally? Stockman: I’d always been told I was “too white” to be Māori, so I went looking for boxes I could tick. If I could learn whakapapa (family history), learn language, I could prove myself. After years studying Te Reo Māori (the Māori language), I felt ready to go to the marae, where I sat quietly. I felt like all I had to offer was my presence. But presence was enough. It always was, and that realization was huge for me. I had been missing a sense of belonging, and I didn’t even know it. Now I feel more connected; I feel whole. And walking the land, there’s this connection—feeling like a protector of the land in a way that you didn’t realize but that you’ve always felt. It’s still the beginning, I am constantly learn-
INDIGENOUS CHAMPION
ing, and my children will have a whole different journey. I’m just here to plant seeds and trust in what comes from them. SAY: You were diagnosed with Asperger’s/autism at the age of 36. How did that impact you? Stockman: At first, I was angry. I didn’t tell anyone for a long time, first because I didn’t believe it, and then because I thought it didn’t matter. I thought, ‘What difference does it make to tell? I’ve made it this far pretending to be normal, so why not keep pretending?’ Until I realized that people are being diagnosed every day and still being sold the same lies and limitations. People need to know that a diagnosis is not a prediction. You’re going to be okay, maybe even more than okay. As soon as you talk about autism, it’s nothing, but when you hide it, it becomes everything. SAY: How has life changed since your diagnosis? Stockman: I’m re-evaluating my whole life because, suddenly, times I thought I was ‘too sensitive’ or ‘overreacting’, now I think, ‘that was hugely challenging’ and ‘how did I get through that?’ I want to give parents who have autistic children that filter, that kinder perspective. Their kids are actually amazing and handling a lot. They are being inundated with all kinds of sensory stuff—movement, sound, light—basically threats that send their bodies into stress response. As humans, we are so used to being yelled at by media, to being hungry and needy and disconnected from who we are that when we lower the volume and just breathe, we light up. It’s not “autism-friendly” to make our lives more peaceful, it’s human-friendly.
This appreciation of diversity makes all the difference—there’s no single box to put someone in or boxes to tick that make you autistic or Indigenous, or anything else. We are kaleidoscopes with very specific, individual ways of processing the world. things. Humans are so clever. As a child, you learn quickly what you can and can’t say, or what will get a good (or bad) reaction from the people around you. So you modify, and you continue to change slightly until you are unrecognizable. It’s how you survive. SAY: What is it about Neuro-Linguistic Programming that resonates with you? Stockman: I’ve always studied how people work, trying to crack the code for normal. Body language, psychology, media. The idea of brain-heart-body connections makes so much sense to me. The awesome thing about autism, and the challenge, is the diversity within it. The Māori word for autism developed by Māori linguist Keri Opai is “takiwātanga”, meaning
‘in his or her own time and space’. It embraces this diversity, fast or slow, a person who likes strong hugs or prefers not to be touched at all. This appreciation of diversity makes all the difference—there’s no single box to put someone in or boxes to tick that make you autistic or Indigenous, or anything else. We are kaleidoscopes with very specific, individual ways of processing the world. SAY: Explain “the call for neurodiversity”. Stockman: Neurodiversity is the idea that humans are naturally diverse in their brain function. Labels like ‘Autism Spectrum Disorder’ focus on “disorder” rather than “difference”, when actually some brains run on Mac and some on Windows. Neurodiversity is being wired differently, and the challenges we face often come from navigating a world that’s not designed for our kind of wiring. Finding strengths in our differences is key to the new world.
SAY: Earlier you said you ‘pretended to be normal all these years, so why stop now?’ Can you explain what you meant? Stockman: Over the years, I learned to disguise my autistic traits. Being female helps. I talk fast, which people translate to enthusiasm. Another common autistic trait is flapping, which for me has become clapping, but it’s not voluntary. It’s one of the traits I just don’t have the energy to hide. Most of what I’ve hidden is related to thoughts and feelings—how I see GLOBAL INDIGENEITY | 25
INDIGENOUS CHAMPION
SAY: Can you speak about the importance of language as it pertains to autism? Stockman: Identifying language is very personal. Generally, autistic adults speak in favour of autism being “part of who they are” rather than “something that happens to them”. Identity rather than disorder. When a child hears their parents say something like ‘we can’t make it because of his autism’, and the child knows that autism is as much a part of him as his right leg, then suddenly, that child feels there’s a part of him that hurts his family or can’t be loved. “She has autism” versus “she is autistic”. It sounds subtle, almost insignificant, but adults frame the world for children with the language they choose. If we’ve hit a point where we can focus on sensitivity around language, what a luxury! And if we can make a difference to people’s spirits with our words, then why wouldn’t we make kind, conscious choices? SAY: Congratulations on becoming a published author. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Stockman: When I was five years old, my teacher gave me a notebook and explained that I could write down anything I wanted. I realized then that I had power and control over words. I could create my own world. I knew then that I would write books when I grew up, but now when I do writing workshops with kids, I tell them: Don’t wait to be a grown-up. Start now. SAY: What advice do you have for parents of children who have been diagnosed with autism? Stockman: Trust your child. If they tell
Trust your child. If they tell you something that you don’t understand, it’s real. It’s real to them even if you don’t see it, feel it or hear it. you something that you don’t understand, it’s real. It’s real to them even if you don’t see it, feel it or hear it. Stop expecting your child to fit into a world that honestly isn’t all that flash. Slow down, listen, trust. Be in the world with them. They come to us honest and real. We’re the ones that create boundaries and filters. Talk to and about yourself more kindly, because children are paying attention— verbal, non-verbal, neuro-normative or neuro-diverse. They translate what you’re telling them with your actions towards yourself, towards others and towards the planet.
Photo credit: Autism Resource Centre (Singapore) 26 | GLOBAL INDIGENEITY
SAY: What are some of your future plans and hopes? Stockman: At first, I was just happy to be able to refer to myself as ‘autistic’ and not feel ashamed. When I gave a TEDx Talk and felt the ground shift, I was sure that was as big as it could get. Then, in 2019 I spoke at an autism conference in Singapore where they’ve never
had autistic presenters before. Incredible. Next year, I have a presentation at the European autism congress in Budapest, and there is so much more writing to do! We need more uplifting media—movies, TV shows and books. My hope for the future is already happening, more voices, more positive media. No more of this ‘oh no, my child is diagnosed. It’s the end of the world’. Because yes, it’s the end of a world, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s the beginning of something so epic you can’t even imagine. My plan is to just keep going—because every year there are new horizons to explore and more voices joining the call. This world is currently designed by and for the big voices. Autistic people are navigating a complicated world, similar to the struggles faced by many Indigenous peoples. But as the little voices are coming through, it’s making a huge difference. People are connecting with each other and realizing they are not alone.
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EDUCATION
“It’s about bringing together communities from all over the world and seeing the Indigenous legal traditions, as well as the cultural perspectives.” - Samuel Abbot
Photo credit: Rachelle Prince
World Indigenous Law Conference Waawiiatanong Ziibi: Where the River Bends
W
By Rachelle Prince, Communications Coordinator, University of Windsor’s Faculty of Law
indsor Law, in partnership with Sunchild Law, was honoured to host the 2018 World Indigenous Law Conference under the title and theme “Waawiiatanong Ziibi: Where the River Bends, The Application of Indigenous Laws in Indigenous Communities and in the Courts”. The conference was held at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts along the beautiful riverside on the border of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and Detroit, Michigan, USA. This bi-annual global Indigenous law conference brings together lawyers, judges, academics, knowledge keepers, policy experts, community leaders, community advocates and students to discuss the implementation of Indigenous Law into Western legal systems. The conference originated in New Zealand in 2012, then was hosted by Australia in 2014 and California in 2016. The 2018 conference hosted by Windsor Law was the fourth conference, represented by the North on Turtle Island and held on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy, the Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The next World Indigenous Law Conference is scheduled to take place in Brazil next year. The intent of the conference is to recognize and highlight the Indigenous laws 28 | GLOBAL INDIGENEITY
that have always existed around the world, explained Beverly Jacobs, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law and Conference Co-Chair. “Part of the struggle is that, historically, the way law has been taught is through colonial law. Now we have the opportunity to recognize Indigenous law and to respect it as much as colonial law.” In addition to the 320 professionals, leaders and decision makers who attended the conference, 160 local first-year Windsor Law students joined, both as volunteers and audience members, the various panel discussions, keynote addresses and entertainment events. “I definitely think this conference has tremendous value,” said 26-year-old stu-
dent Samuel Abbot. “It’s about bringing together communities from all over the world and seeing the Indigenous legal traditions, as well as the cultural perspectives.” Windsor Law is strongly committed to promoting Indigenous voices and scholarships in the Windsor community and within the legal profession. For more information, visit www.uwindsor.ca/law.
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