On a week that thrust Kanesatake鈥檚 troubles into countrywide headlines, Wanda Gabriel guided a cohort of 平特五不中 students through the aspects of the community that are a source of pride.
鈥淭he times that we are in in Kanesatake right now, it鈥檚 been for me, as a community member, it鈥檚 been refreshing to hear in that vein how people are so committed and passionate about the work they鈥檙e doing in our community,鈥� said Gabriel, an adjunct professor at the university who co-teaches the multidisciplinary field course that involved a five-night stay in the community from May 14-19.
Other professors were also present, including the co-founder of the course, Nicole Ives, an associate professor in the social work department.
The 19 students who participated were introduced to a range of community voices, including lacrosse-stick maker Travis Gabriel, Kanesatake Health Center (KHC) executive director Teiawenhniser谩hte Tomlinson, Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) grand chief Victor Bonspille, and Harvey Satewas Gabriel.
They also met with youth leaders Anientha Simon and Kailey Karahkwin茅htha Nicholas.
鈥淚t was just an inspiration to hear the youth speak about youth reality in Kanesatake 鈥� the youth hopes, the youth desires. So inspirational,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 definitely feel pride in showcasing and uplifting the people who are working hard in our community to create the best community we can have.鈥�
While encouraging students to better understand Onkweh贸n:we communities is important in general, the field course targets future professional service workers who may work with Indigenous people. Social work, law, anthropology, education, and medicine are the main disciplines involved.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important for cultural awareness and cultural safety. Those disciplines work directly with our community most of the time. Bringing them that cultural safety approach and knowledge of our communities in a lived experience is different than reading about it,鈥� said Wanda, who is also executive director of the Indigenous Certification Board of Canada.
鈥淗eart learning is a lot more powerful, and it鈥檚 a lot more in our ways of learning to bring your whole being, to stimulate all the senses in learning, not just the mind.鈥�
Most of the students in the course were not Indigenous, but a handful were Onkweh贸n:we, including a Kanehsata鈥檏ehr贸:non who lives off-territory.
鈥淭o actually be able to sit down and have a whole week here, where all I鈥檓 doing is hearing from knowledge keepers, it鈥檚 a really invaluable experience for me,鈥� said Dallas Karonhianoron Canady-Binette, who is finishing up a bachelor鈥檚 degree in anthropology at 平特五不中.
鈥淚 feel rejuvenated in a way. Whenever I鈥檓 engaged with the culture and the politics of Kanesatake, I feel impassioned. I feel cleansed.鈥�
Given the varying levels of awareness around decolonization amongst non-Indigenous students, Canady-Binette was unsure what to expect. However, he said he feels he made some longtime friends during his stay.
鈥淢ost of the time when Kanesatake is in the mainstream news, it鈥檚 always negative events,鈥� said Canady-Binette. 鈥淚t鈥檚 actually been very nice that everyone has been really open to seeing a different side of the community and open to listening to the people that have come and given talks about a bunch of different topics, politics, culture.鈥�
鈥淚t feels nice to feel like we鈥檙e staying here. We really are guests in the community, so it kind of reframes it,鈥� said Sage Duquette, a first-year law student who is Metis from Red River, who noted the value of the experience considering the extent to which the justice system is a colonial institution.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 not going to change overnight because you have a couple Indigenous students and one additional class, but it鈥檚 a start,鈥� Duquette added.
Tuyaa Montgomery, a PhD student in anthropology, was drawn to the course in part because she too is Indigenous, although not from Turtle Island 鈥� her mother is Buryat from Siberia, she said.
鈥淚 wanted to take this course to learn more about how work with Indigenous communities is being done in Turtle Island,鈥� said Montgomery, whose PhD project relates to addiction and harm reduction in relation to reconciliation.
She said Wanda鈥檚 guidance was a major asset to the course.
鈥淲ords fail me because Wanda is just incredible,鈥� said Montgomery. 鈥淲hen she walks into the room the energy shifts because of the knowledge she carries, but also the care with which she carries that knowledge and her experiences.鈥�
While the students stayed in Kanesatake for just shy of a week, the four-week intensive course prepares the students with in-class education.
