Indigenous Network McGill

On May 31st, Cindy Blackstock, professor in the School of Social Work and executive director at the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, was featured in The Current with Matt Galloway. The Current is a CBC podcast covering a variety of perspectives and engaging in meaningful discussion.

In this segment, Blackstock and Galloway discuss the calls for accountability concerning the remains of the 215 children found following the investigation conducted by a specialist who was hired by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation.

Listen to the segment here.

The Project Manager supports and manages the research activities of the developing Institute by forging strong relationships and identifying opportunities for collaboration, both among McGill-based researchers, as well as in partnership with local Indigenous communities.

The Project Manager facilitates research and relationship-building through regular event planning, supervision of administrative coordinator, and development of initiatives, including the development of Indigenous Language Revitalization research and programming; Indigenous Elder-, Artist-, and Writer-in-Residence programs; and regular academic workshops and symposia.

Please share this with anyone who think would be interested!

Preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous identity in filling this position. Included in this category are First Nations (status or non-status), Inuit and Métis people, as well as Native Americans and Alaskan Natives from the USA.

Interested Applicants should apply here before June 14th. 

Tonight (May 31st) at 7pm, there will be a commemorative drumming session in honour of the 215 Indigenous youth found at the Kamloops residential school.

Nakuset will be meeting everyone at the statue, before leading the group elsewhere. Indigenous community members are asked to bring their drums.

Wednesday June 2, 10:30-12:00 EST 

Click here to register for this event

In this session led by Wanda Gabriel participants explore the five different types of elements addressing the legacy of Residential Schools, as listed in The Settlement Agreement. One of the elements, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will be examined in detail. Participants will look at the process of this historical commission of their years of operation and how they carefully approached survivors to gather the stories. Particular focus will be on the calls to action and what this means for Canadians. Participants will be invited to explore, share views and find ways to engage in the calls to action via breakout rooms.

To see the full calendar of events and registrations, check out their webpage here.

Position Description

The School of Continuing Studies is interested in receiving applications from candidates who have a background in either Public Administration, Business Management, Education, Educational Psychology, Counseling, Information Technology, Human Resources, Indigenous Studies, Accounting, Social Sciences, or a related field. Teaching excellence, expertise in fostering active learning and inclusive environments, and experience in coordinating tailored courses for an Indigenous audience are strongly sought qualities, as are teaching online/remotely.

This is a full-time, ranked academic, non-tenure-track position with an initial appointment of two (2) years, reporting to the Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs, through the Director of Indigenous Relations Initiative. The desired start date is August 1, 2021.

Job Duties:

Under the direct supervision of the IRI Director, successful applicants will teach one or more courses from our undergraduate and/or graduate programs offered at SCS. Successful applicants will also assume key administrative and leadership roles in the unit.

For more information and how to apply, see the full posting here.

During the month of June, the School of Continuing Studies will be hosting various talks and workshops for National Indigenous History Month.

See two of the interactive presentations given by Wanda Gabriel and Alex Allard Gray:

Wanda Gabriel Presents: A Look at the Truth & Reconciliation Commission 

Wednesday June 2, 10:30-12:00 EST 

In this session led by Wanda Gabriel participants explore the five different types of elements addressing the legacy of Residential Schools, as listed in The Settlement Agreement. One of the elements, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will be examined in detail. Participants will look at the process of this historical commission of their years of operation and how they carefully approached survivors to gather the stories. Particular focus will be on the calls to action and what this means for Canadians. Participants will be invited to explore, share views and find ways to engage in the calls to action via breakout rooms.

Alex Allard Gray Presents: Braiding Sweetgrass; Understanding Indigenous Resilience and Making Space for Indigenous Ways of Thinking

Tuesday June 29, 10:30-12:00 EST

In this interactive presentation, participants will have the opportunity to discuss and learn of ways to incpororate and create space for Indigenous ways of thinking into their work. Indigenous Resilience will be highlighted through examples pertaining to the presenter’s community and how his Indigenous identity guides his work with Indigenous learners.

See the Full Schedule and Info Here

The Branches team is looking for students interested in mentoring Indigenous high school students this summer! Pick Your Path is an online career exploration and mentorship program for Indigenous youth happening from August 2nd to the 13th. Here you will have the chance to share your experiences with and support a high school student in figuring out their next steps in their education. For your time and effort, you will receive monetary compensation.

If you are interested, you can read more and apply at the following link: https://bit.ly/PYP2021Mentors. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 28th.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send an email to mayela.lozanoalanis@mcgill.ca

This month, Richard Budgell was featured in the CBC First Person series. The First Person section features personal stories and experiences of Canadians, in their own words. This is intended to showcase a more intimate storytelling perspective, and allow people from across the country to share what they have lived through

In addition, Budgell was also featured in “Let’s Go” with Sabrina Marandola, a radio show also hosted by the CBC. Let’s Go celebrates local stories, explores a range of perspectives and shines a light on people making a difference in the community.

Click here Richard’s article and listen to his segment on Let’s Go.

The Douglas Mental Health University Institute is looking for Inuit individuals willing to participate in a study to test heart rate variability and other physiological responses to two stimuli in virtual reality. Researchers will eventually use this data to help build novel medical applications, specifically, an automatized and remote virtual reality treatment. 

Inclusion criteria: 

• Healthy adult between 14-60 years 
• Identifies as Inuk 

Exclusion criteria: Risk for epilepsy, current abuse of alcohol or drugs, changes to medications in the past 4 weeks 

Study involves: 

• One meeting at Douglas, in total 60 minutes 
• Wearing sensor to measure physiological response during two VR exercises, a relaxation and a height exposure 
• A survey asking for anxiety symptoms, previous traumatic experiences and supporting factors

For more information or to participate in this stidy, please contact Maharshee Karia/Quinta Seon:

maharshee.karia@mail.mcgill.ca

quinta.seon@mail.mcgill.ca 

On May 13th from 4-5pm, join in on an online panel discussing the Evolution of McGill’s Eagle Spirit Science Futures Camp.

During this moderated panel, two Eagle Spirit Science Futures Camp founders, as well as a past camp participant (and current coordinator), will discuss the camp’s beginnings and its legacy. Together, we will explore the role the camp plays in helping to empower Indigenous youth and encourage them to consider careers in the health sciences.

This panel is moderated by Dr. Kent Saylor, and panelists include: Paige Isaac, Waneek Horn-Miller and Alex Allard-Gray.

Register for the panel here.