National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge Eskasoni, Nova Scotia June 14, 15, 16, 2005 PROGRAM Pre-Gathering : Day 1: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 The Gathering will be held in the Sara Memorial Cultural Centre. 12:00 – 4:00 PM Venue Pre-registration opens at 12:00 PM and closes at 4:00 PM 4:00 – 4:30 PM Language Welcome 4:30 – 6:00 PM Action Introductions and Opening Remarks from Delegates (will flow into dinner) 6:00 – 7:30 PM Venue Informal dinner for delegates Day 2: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 7:30 – 8:30 AM Venue Registration Open until 8:30 AM 8:00 – 9:00 Venue Continental breakfast (provided) 9:00 Song Opening Ceremonies Health Break (10:15 – 10:30) Health Break Language Presentation/Opening Statements (Host & Co-Host) ? Process: VALS / Circle Structure ? Objectives: Why are we here? ? Overview of themes: What are we discussing? Lunch Break (12:00 - 1:00) Venue Lunch (provided) Day 2: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 (Continued) #1 Action Circle Discussion Discussion #1: Indigenous Knowledge & Artistic Expression 4 circles will discuss the following: Artistic expression can take many forms, including dance, clothing and textiles, the visual arts, song, stories, writing, architecture, designs, and new media. This bundle topic will explore the relationship between artistic expression and recognition, protection, respect for and celebration of Indigenous knowledge. Health Break (2:15 – 2:30) Health Break Language Presentations / Group Discussion #2 Action Circle Discussion Discussion #2: Indigenous Knowledge & Intellectual and Cultural Properties 4 circles will discuss the following: This bundle topic addresses the relationship between Indigenous knowledge, intellectual property (a system of legal protections to establish ownership and rules for the use of ideas and inventions) and cultural property (the body of cultural expressions that have significance to a community). Language Presentations / Group Discussion (5:30 PM) Song Closing 6:30 PM Venue Dinner (provided) Evening Cultural Event Day 3: Thursday, June 16, 2005 8:00 – 9:00 Venue Continental breakfast (provided) 9:00 AM Song Opening Prayer Language Welcome / Opening Comments #3 Action Circle Discussion Discussion #3: Indigenous Knowledge & Languages and Cultures 4 circles will discuss the following: This bundle topic will address the relationship between Indigenous knowledge, languages and cultures. Day 3: Thursday, June 16, 2005 (Continued) Health Break (10:15 – 10:30) This break will be called in the midst of Discussion #3 Lunch Break (12:00 – 1:00) Venue Lunch (provided) Language Presentations / Group Discussion Health Break (2:15 – 2:30) Health Break Language Open Dialogue / Discussion (4:15) Song Closing Comments & Prayer Ceremonial Sharing of Information with Canadian Heritage Venue Gathering Response Circle (Optional Participation) ______________________________________________________________________ _ Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge Background and Vision Statement Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge is the 3rd in a series of three National Gatherings organized by the Department of Canadian Heritage, with the goal of engaging Aboriginal communities across Canada in a dialogue on the key issues relating to artistic expression, cultures and tourism, and Indigenous knowledge. These Gatherings will help to build and enhance policies, programs and services that are relevant to, and supportive of the needs of Aboriginal peoples. Canadian Heritage is committed to building on the discussions and outcomes from the National Gatherings to work towards institutional changes within the Canadian Heritage Portfolio relating to Aboriginal artistic expression, tourism, and traditional knowledge. Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge acknowledge and celebrate that an underlying strength of Canada is founded on the rich contributions of Aboriginal peoples across the country. Dialogues with First Nations, Inuit and Mιtis peoples have identified the need to respond to the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities related to Indigenous Knowledge and Artistic Expression; Intellectual and Cultural Properties; and Languages and Cultures. Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge will provide a forum in which key stakeholders from the Canadian Heritage Portfolio can come together with Indigenous communities and other government sectors to discuss a framework for the recognition, respect and celebration of Indigenous Knowledge and Artistic Expression; Intellectual and Cultural Properties; and Languages and Cultures. For participants, the National Gatherings will provide opportunities for networking and dialogue, sharing of best practices, increased knowledge of available support from federal departments and agencies, brainstorming on opportunities and strategies for change, and open and relevant discussions of key issues. For the Canadian Heritage Portfolio, the National Gatherings will lead to a better understanding of how the mandate of Canadian Heritage relates to the support of Indigenous Knowledge. Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge Overview I. Vision for Traditions Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge acknowledge and celebrate that an underlying strength of Canada is founded on the rich contributions of Aboriginal Peoples across the country. II. Goal Statement for Traditions To work collaboratively with First Nations, Inuit and Mιtis Peoples in continuing to develop practical and inclusive strategies that recognize, respect, protect and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous knowledge in Canada. III. Aboriginal Advisory Group The Advisory Group was established to guide the Department of Canadian Heritage in the development and planning of the National Gatherings, and to better understand the full dimension of the experiences, needs and challenges of the various Aboriginal communities across Canada in the area of Indigenous knowledge. Each member of the group has expertise and experience in the fields of Indigenous knowledge, culture and heritage. IV. Indigenous knowledge in the context of Canadian Heritage Issues relating to Indigenous knowledge engage three key current departmental policy and program priorities: Indigenous Knowledge and Artistic Expression; Indigenous Knowledge and Intellectual and Cultural Properties; and Indigenous Knowledge and Languages and Cultures. V. Questions for Discussion Circles 1. What are the priority issues surrounding Indigenous Knowledge and artistic expression, intellectual and cultural properties and languages and cultures? 2. What are the main vulnerabilities in these areas? What are possible strategies for respectful protection, preservation and celebration of Indigenous knowledge in Canada? 3. What are suggestions for action in these areas? What are the roles and responsibilities across diverse communities to address these vulnerabilities? VI. Key Elements of the Gatherings Engagement: The Gatherings seek appropriate and respectful processes to engage Aboriginal communities in dialogues about the relationship between Indigenous knowledge and the Canadian Heritage portfolio. Traditions will use a facilitation model developed with First Nations, Mιtis and Inuit Peoples that recognizes Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal forms of decision-making. Elders' Council: The National Gatherings Secretariat will collaborate with Elders to adapt the facilitation model to the protocols of each host community. Inclusion: Exploring the cultural, ethical and practical realities of Indigenous knowledge will enable the Department of Canadian Heritage to better recognize and respond to issues as they arise, in a manner that is inclusive of diverse perspectives. Relationships: The Gatherings have developed and continue to nurture relationships among key stakeholders, the Department of Canadian Heritage, and other federal departments, leading to improved interaction with Aboriginal communities with respect to issues of shared concern and responsibility. Partnerships: The collaborative process developed with Aboriginal partners throughout the National Gatherings series has provided a model for use in the Department of Canadian Heritage and by other interested public and private stakeholders. V. Gatherings Timeline May 3 –June 24 2005, concluding shortly after National Aboriginal Day (June 21, 2005). VI. Outcomes of the National Gatherings series ? The circle-structure model and discussion process used in the Gatherings provide a framework for government and Aboriginal people to respectfully interact and learn from each other with regard to issues of shared concern. ? The Gatherings will generate a broader understanding of Aboriginal issues, the diversity of Indigenous knowledge, and their relationship to the Department of Canadian Heritage, leading to a more inclusive and coherent approach to integrating and accommodating Indigenous knowledge in the Department's policies, programs and services. ? A Progress Report on the Gatherings series will provide a tool for Gatherings participants and the Department to assess progress on key recommendations. ? The understanding gained from the Gatherings series will be shared with Aboriginal stakeholders and partners in federal departments and agencies, in order to enhance collaboration with Aboriginal communities in areas of shared concern, interest and responsibility. Discussion circles at the Gatherings will focus on three subject areas: Indigenous Knowledge and Artistic Expression; Indigenous Knowledge and Intellectual and Cultural Properties; and Indigenous Knowledge and Languages and Cultures. The key questions for discussion will be the following: · What are the priority issues surrounding Indigenous knowledge and artistic expression, intellectual and cultural properties and languages and cultures? · What are the main vulnerabilities in these areas? What are possible strategies for respectful protection, preservation and celebration of Indigenous knowledge in Canada? · What are suggestions for action in these areas? What are the roles and responsibilities across diverse communities to address the priority issues? _____________________________________________________________________ _ Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge Who We Are _____________________________________________________________________ The Department of Canadian Heritage All Canadians are affected daily, directly or indirectly, by the efforts of the Canadian Heritage Portfolio. The Department, Agencies and Crown Corporations that are part of the Canadian Heritage Portfolio contribute to the growth and development of Canadian cultural and sporting life, the promotion of a fairer, more equitable society, the nation's linguistic duality and multicultural character. They also contribute to the vitality of official language minority communities, to promoting awareness and understanding of human rights as well as to the preservation Canada's national historic sites and cultural heritage. The six key objectives of the Canadian Heritage Portfolio are: • To enhance pride in Canada • To contribute to Canada's economic growth and prosperity • To protect Canada's heritage • To ensure access to Canadian voices and Canadian spaces • To encourage participation in and contribution to Canadian society • To make government more responsive The Department of Canadian Heritage is responsible for policies and programs related to arts and heritage, broadcasting, cultural industries, Canadian identity, multiculturalism, official languages and sport, as well as the Canadian Conservation Institute, the Canadian Heritage Information Network, the Cultural Property Export Review Board. The Canadian Heritage portfolio includes 7 departmental agencies and 10 Crown Corporations. They are: • Canada Information Office • Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) • National Archives of Canada • National Battlefields Commission • National Film Board of Canada (NFB) • National Library of Canada • Status of Women Canada. • Canada Council for the Arts • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) • Canadian Film Development Corporation (Telefilm Canada) • Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) Canadian Museum of Civilization