Re-Visioning Canada Workshop": Integrating the History of Aboriginal/non-aboriginal Relations as a Foundational Dynamic

September 27 & 28, 2002
All sessions were at University College, University of Toronto.

Friday, Sept. 27
12:00-14:00 h. Lunch UC Room 240 (Common Room)
The workshop began with lunch. Eileen Antone led us in the blessing. Welcoming remarks by Sylvia Van Kirk and Olive Dickason, followed by a greeting circle.

14:00-15:30h. Plenary Session UC Room 163

Sylvia Van Kirk (Chair)

Pat McCormack (University of Alberta): Competing Narratives: Barriers between Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian State

Darlene Johnston (University of Toronto): "When historical opinion becomes legal fact: the impact of the current Canadian "meta-narrative" on aboriginal peoples and case law"

Elizabeth Furniss (University of Calgary): "Openings in Time: A Theory of
History for the Post-Colonial Era"

Coffee Break (15 minutes) UC Room 240

15:45-17:30h. Continuing Plenary Session (Room 163)

Discussion of themes arising out of plenary papers
Explanation of Workshop Groups

18:00-21:00 Native Canadian Center 16 Spadina Road
"Gathering Place in Cyberspace: Toronto Native History Online"
All workshop participants were invited to attend this event. It was a nice opportunity to visit the Native Center. Light refreshments were served.

Saturday, Sept. 28

9:00-12:00 Workshop Sessions
Eileen Antone led us in an opening ceremony. The morning was devoted to small group workshops.

Topics discussed:
Chronology: Where do We Begin a Canadian History Survey Course?
Sources: How Do We Use Non-Traditional Sources, i.e. Creation Stories, Oral Tradition, Material Culture, etc.?
Themes: What are the thematic paradigms shift necessary to integrate aboriginal history ?
Could be more than one session, i.e. history of Treaties; Canadian State as colonizer? native viewpoints on specific historical events.
Impact: Why is it so important that this be done? How can we get colleagues and students to pay attention to this work?

12:00-13:30: LUNCH Room 240

13:45- 17:00 Plenary Session: Room 163
Each workshop group reported back. We recaped our essential findings. Remember this workshop is only a beginning. We concluded with a demonstration of the website and discussion of other ideas about how to carry on. Eileen Antone led us in a remarkable and inspirational closing ceremony.

To all participants -- miigwetch!

Background Reading:

The following papers are available on-line through the Website called Turning Point: www.turning-point.ca. After you bring up the website, go to Discussion Forums and click on "Revisioning Canada". You will see a box come up with the paper information, click on the title and the paper should come up.

Sylvia Van Kirk, "Competing Visions: Integrating Aboriginal/Non-Aboriginal Relations into Canadian History"

Patricia McCormack, "Competing Narratives: Barriers between Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian State"

George Erasmus, "Third Annual LaFontaine-Baldwin Lecture"