A Kahnawake experience
Concordia University is the first university in Quebec to offer a program dedicated to First Peoples Studies. The program is designed to promote an understanding of the historical, political, cultural and social issues faced by the First Nations in Canada. The Indian Act course (FPST 301) discusses the historical development of this federal statute and investigates its impact on the First Peoples of Quebec and Canada.
For a better understanding of the complex issues stemming from the Indian Act, lecturer Ioana Radu organized a trip earlier in the term to Kahnawake, a Mohawk community located on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River 10 km south of Montreal. The class visited the Mohawk Cultural Center, the Council of Kahnawake, and The Eastern Door - the community newspaper.
The cultural centre was founded in 1978 with the aim of “preserving, promoting and enriching the language and culture” of the community members. The centre has a permanent exhibit that allows visitors to learn about the people and history of Kahnawake, such as the foundation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the contemporary political and social struggles, as well as cultural ceremonies. In 2002, the centre also developed an Adult Immersion Program that helps adults learn their native language and culture to enable them pass this rich heritage on to their children.
“I discovered how important it is to be welcoming to visitors interested in educating themselves on indigenous peoples’ experiences. By showing others how we live and the strength of the communities we build, it is possible to change negative ideas about indigenous people," said Thomasina Philips, a student and a member of the community. "By building relationships with those around us, we have a better chance at enlisting support and understanding during times of conflict.”
Indeed, for classmate Albert Mutuyimana, the visit was a unique opportunity to experience the vibrancy of aboriginal communities: “The Kahnawake trip was a great experience; it was both fun and enlightening. Personally, it was my first visit to a reserve. My preconceived idea of the community was based on the images and film footage of news and documentaries about Aboriginal communities; needless to say, Kahnawake is far from that.”
The Grand Chief Michael Ahríhrhon Delisle and former Grand Chief Andrew Delisle, Sr. greeted us at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake. Grand Chief Delisle spoke about his experience in the struggles faced by the community and of the current negotiations with the provincial and federal governments regarding the historical land dispute of the Seigneury of Sault St. Louis that have, since our visit, concluded and a final agreement was reached.
“Basically the trip has enhanced the understanding that First Nations communities feel entrapped by the Indian Act. As the Grand Chief eloquently stated, they want absolute autonomy, being able to be self-reliant and form a government based on their traditions” said Mutuyimana.
The trip to Kahnawake enlightened everyone on the issues faced by Aboriginal communities in their daily lives. “It was a privilege to speak to the Mohawk community members and leaders of Kahnawake. One does not gain the same knowledge or experience from reading articles and books. Hearing the actual impacts from the people who are part of it, seeing the community, listening to their struggles and fights, it is quite remarkable and heart-wrenching” said classmate Sehrish Nasser.
The trip also exemplified the tenacity and agency of the community in their struggle against the assimilatory ideology couched within the Indian Act. While on the reserve we came across many different issues this native community faces in their fight to be recognized as a self-governing nation. We hope that the government and people from other communities work together to make a change in order to help the native peoples of Canada, and opt for a better standard of living.
The Canadian society is known to be a diverse society in which people from all across the world live and work as one unit to build one of the greatest nations on the planet. It is only by understanding and not ignorance that we will achieve true democracy.
The personal stories of the Kahnawake community members emphasized how the Indian Act has complicated indigenous peoples' lives. As a vehicle of colonization, the Indian Act has destabilized and undermined the traditional culture, social relations and governance structures in First Nations communities for over 150 years.
Today this has resulted in a complex situation that attempts to honour the traditions, while still functioning within the constraints of assimilatory Canadian policy. Even though the Indian Act is systematically racist, it remains the only piece of legislation within the federal government that outlines the rights of First Nations in Canada. For this reason, it cannot be simply tossed out without first ensuring that Aboriginal rights are guaranteed for communities such as Kahnawake.
Related links:
• First Peoples Studies
• Centre for Native Education