The axes of research

Rebuilding and building

The work of the UNESCO Chair focuses on key components regarding cultural safeguard, empowerment, sustainable and viable development, interconnectivity and networking. These aspects stem from many years of collaboration with First Peoples of Quebec and Brazil. Each consultation practice carried out within the framework of a research project may give rise to new priorities and thus provide as many potential guidelines for the management of respectful and productive projects. [...]

« Aujourd'hui, le quliq est utilisé dans les cérémonies. Sa flamme représente la culture inuit vivante, qu'il faut toujours surveiller pour ne pas qu'elle s'éteigne. »

Anna Eliyassialuk, Inuk

Knowing yourself and becoming known

Empowerment is both a process and the outcome of such process. Primarily based on egalitarian relationships and decision-making, this intervention method deals with the development of individuals and organizations by building on their skills and resources. As an essential element of identity building, its philosophy is simple: to provide the fishing gear and techniques, not the fish. [...]

Quentin Condo
Mi’gmaq
Gesgapegiag

Excerpts from the film “Indian Time” (2016) by Carl Morasse, produced by La BRV.

Making connections and networking

Everything is connected. Personal situations and social phenomena sometimes have more than one cause. Focusing on only one of them, looking at only one perspective, can limit the number of possible solutions and their effectiveness. Thinking outside the box leads to new possibilities. Making connections can unravel many dead ends. [...]

Della Adams
Kanien’kehá:ka
Akwesasne

Excerpts from the film “Indian Time” (2016) by Carl Morasse, produced by La BRV.

Thriving and lasting

In his book The Imperative of Responsibility, published in 1979, the German historian and philosopher Hans Jonas invites us to rethink the foundations of ethics in light of a holistic vision. He writes: “Act so that the effects of your action are compatible with the permanence of genuine human life”. This proposal expresses an essential element of Indigenous teachings transmitted for millennia: respect for all forms of life.

André Mowatt
Anishinabe
Pikogan

Excerpts from the film “Indian Time” (2016) by Carl Morasse, produced by La BRV.

Se sentir en sécurité

Une démarche de transmission culturelle repose sur la confiance. Confiance en soi, confiance en l’autre. Les Premiers Peuples du Canada partagent une longue et douloureuse histoire. Les politiques assimilatrices, la volonté d’éradication de la culture, le tragique épisode des pensionnats et la destruction des liens de famille ont laissé de profondes cicatrices. Toutes ne sont pas refermées. [...]

Jean St-Onge et Alexandre Pinette
Innus
Rivière Moisie, Uashat mak Mani-Utenam

Excerpts from the film “Indian Time” (2016) by Carl Morasse, produced by La BRV.