Making connections and networking

Della Adams
Kanien’kehá:ka
Akwesasne

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

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.

Breaking down barriers between disciplines, sharing resources, combining expertise, bringing generations together, appending viewpoints, accessing different ways of thinking and fostering openness to creativity increase the chances of obtaining better results, which are often surprising. They reflect the need for interconnectedness.

Interconnectedness is characterized by the recognition that everything is part of a whole. It reflects a holistic view cherished by First Peoples. It demonstrates an important approach in Indigenous research: recognizing that the complexity and interdependence of a project’s multiple aspects require a concerted intervention and has an influence on its potential impact.

Establishing and maintaining a collaboration between various sectors of expertise is not always easy, but it is essential. Addressing an issue from a social perspective without considering any economic considerations, for instance, will reduce the chances of success. Developing an action plan by constructing barriers between disciplinary fields may lead to incomplete and ultimately inappropriate responses. Instead, combining perspectives will generate novel interactions that will result in a high level of observation, analysis, and scientific contribution.

Networking

The First Peoples of Canada have been networking for thousands of years. From the earliest times, trails have crossed territory, leading to gathering places where meetings, exchanges and alliances were created. Indigenous research draws on this heritage.

Networking is about building strong and vibrant partnerships. It is achieved through the creation of fruitful and long-lasting relations, the organization of activities that promote networking and discussion, the establishment of areas for the transfer of expertise and the increasing number of information and communication platforms. As such, partnerships become opportunities to look at issues and questions from different perspectives. They increase the impact of projects or research by inspiring other communities or nations.

Knowledge is a collective good; experience is a wealth to be shared; exchange is a gesture of openness and generosity. Interconnectivity and networking represent paths that lead to development. In essence, following a path paves the way for others.