By: Karen Haylas, Matina Kamdar, Hannah Tellier, Tyler Vynckier
As per Prof. Prateep Nayak’s International Development 101 course, students have taken on the task of documenting a series of speakers and documentaries relating to the subject matter. On the week of Jan. 28, the class was visited by Dr. Kaitlyn Rathwell. Having spent some time working along Canada’s Indigenous, Dr. Rathwell shared her insights on development in an Indigenous context, as it is impacted by issues of climate change and resource extraction.
Presenter Profile: Dr. Kaitlyn Rathwell
As an active advocate concerning development issues of Canadian Indigenous communities, Dr. Kaitlyn Rathwell shared with us her interest for the intricate Inuit value systems, which differ significantly from the major tendencies found elsewhere in North America. Having spent some time living, working, and integrating herself within the local communities of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Dr. Rathwell has had the opportunity to experience first-hand traditional Inuit values incorporated in a modern-day society. Through direct engagement with local Inuit artists and community leaders, she was able to connect the importance of artistic expression to the understanding of environmental pressures faced by the North. Although her work did not in itself encompass community immersion, Dr. Rathwell values acceptance and cultural understanding, which resulted in the formation of strong connections with Inuit elders, leaders, youth and artists. Combining her passion for Environmental Change Sciences and her love for artistic expression, Dr. Kaitlyn Rathwell suggests fascinating approaches and perspectives that bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities concerning environmental processes faced by all.
Systems of Solidarity: Standing Behind Canada’s Indigenous Populations
As International Development students, it’s important to discuss and educate the public on issues which aren’t spoken about on a daily basis. Dr. Kaitlyn Rathwell gave us insight on the various development issues faced by Indigenous peoples of the Canadian North. While her entire lecture was enlightening, we found it particularly interesting how she took us through a journey from historical settler times and nomadic lifestyle to present day living. One group member pointed out how we, as students, don’t necessarily learn about Indigenous groups. As such, we found it interesting to learn the manner in which values of equality, inclusion and serving community are shared within this specific community, which are very distinct compared to those of the Canadian government. When we broke out into small groups, many students highlighted the optimism and gratitude of the Inuit group, even after all the hardships they’ve experienced throughout the years. One of the key messages we took away from this lecture was this simple message of the gratitude, which the Inuit community holds. Dr. Kaitlyn Rathwell shared several pieces of art, which she collected from her time in the Arctic and, as she was explaining the meaning behind each art piece, the common denominator was this message of appreciation.
At the end of the lecture, the classroom questioned why Inuit groups must deal with such hardships. Furthermore, we left the lecture with the message that Inuit people are standing up for their rights to discuss challenges, which need to transition into action on a regional, national and international level. While each level of government may acknowledge these challenges, it is time to see action occur. We, as Canadian citizens, need to continue to put pressure on our government by ways of letter writing, protesting and sharing information. While these issues may already be on the political agenda, we need to further emphasize their importance in order to see action take place.
Common Needs, Uncommonly Met: Issues Faced by Canada’s Indigenous Populations
Dr. Rathwell raised many important points about the Indigenous peoples of the Canadian North. The points that resonated with the students the most are as follows. First, the Indigenous peoples have to adapt to much change and uncertainty, meaning that all aspects of their lives are changing, from food insecurity to the complete change in traditional ways. Secondly, these people have to invest in and rely on social capital, meaning their culture is characterized by relationships between people and how everyone is considered family. However, this is changing with the introduction of western culture and the slowly decreasing traditional lifestyle. Finally, Indigenous peoples are continuously respecting and caring for the land, animals and environment, meaning that they care deeply for the natural world. However, the things that they care for are being threatened through legal battles around resource management and climate change. Examples of this include the rising sea levels caused by melting ice caps and the Liberal party stating that they are adopting the UNDRIP, but have done little to do so.
Facing the Future: Forwards Movement Towards the Development of Indigenous Communities
Variously named, the world’s Indigenous peoples account for just 6% of global population and yet constitute 16% of the globally impoverished- figures which are an apt representation of the vulnerability these groups experience. Such inequality is easily observed with regards to the disproportionate manner in which Indigenous peoples experience the effects of climate change. The lost access to hunting routes, unpredictable weather patterns, failure to maintain traditional knowledge, changing food chains and failing food security which result are perpetuate instability and underdevelopment which are more often the case than the exception of the Canadian North. In spite of these disadvantages, such populations remain significantly attached to their traditional territory and therefore can be leaders for land stewardship. In the case of Dr. Rathwell’s experience, the small Inuit group which inhabit Pangnirtung, Nunavut are much the same, having lived in continuity on their traditional lands even as alien structures of governance and language were forced upon them, the likes of which have since conflicted with the group’s traditional values.
“Collective rights”- the likes of which include self-determination, territorial claims, political participation and resource protection -have failed in their implementation due to the conflict of interest which occurs between community and national interest, the latter of which all too often outweighs the previous. In this manner, a zero-sum game is created as the rights of Indigenous come as the cost of Canadian resource development and vice versa. Unfortunately, this poor state of affairs prevents development of Indigenous communities such as that of Pangnirtung, Nunavut and as result, Canada’s Indigenous groups are subject to both global and local climate factors, whilst the government sits idle, prioritizing national economics over the basic human rights of its most marginalized.
We propose a shift in both governmental policy and priority, the likes of which must be pursued in such a manner as to “unpack complexities, deal with nuance and be creative”. Only with these tools will it become possible to redefine the legacy of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, so endowing them with the rights of their fellow citizens, safeguarding them from political and environmental vulnerabilities and upholding both their integration with Canada as a whole, as well as their own unique identity.