The International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL) is a unique opportunity to consolidate international measures in support of Indigenous languages around the world. In his opening keynote, Dr. Ronald Ignace, the first Commissioner of Indigenous languages in Canada, will speak to the challenges and opportunities in the International Decade. In framing the discussion around reconciliation and language revitalization more broadly, Commissioner Ignace will foundationally situate the inextricable link between Indigenous languages and traditional knowledge systems.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples was developed to address harms such as the dispossession of land and resources, discrimination, forced assimilation and other grave human rights abuses. In doing this, the declaration provides a framework for reconciliation that protects Indigenous rights such as the right to practice culture, language, and self-determination. In many parts of the world, Indigenous rights and entitlements are not being honoured and the struggles of Indigenous peoples and communities are still a reality. This panel will explore the rights of Indigenous peoples and how academic endeavour and activism may support our journey toward justice.

In this discussion moderated by RSC College President Frank Deer, the editors of Royally Wronged: The Royal Society of Canada and Indigenous Peoples reflect upon the findings, aspirations and origins of the book in Cindy Blackstock’s (FRSC) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action for institutional reckoning. Written primarily by current RSC members, Royally Wronged dives deep into the RSC’s history to learn why academia has more often been an aid to colonialism than a force against it, posing difficult questions about what is required to move meaningfully toward a better future for Canada, for the RSC, and for other academic societies. Joining the conversation is Coast Salish artist and lawyer Shain Jackson whose Golden Eagle Rising adorns the cover of the book.

Talaysay Tours, owned by Candace and Talaysay Campo fromShíshálh (Sechelt) and Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) First Nation, are grateful to offer you an enrichedcultural outdoor experience. Below are your itinerary details. Please review before your tour and feelfree to contact us with any questions or concerns via the contact information below.

On Tuesday, we'll head out from the hotel lobby at 2:00 pm by shuttle for a guided walking Talaysay Tour in Stanley Park. The forecast is 10ºC and partly sunny, so please dress accordingly.

Shuttle Groups

Date of Tour: Tuesday November 4th, 2024
Bus leave Hotel at 2:00 pm
Arrival and check-in at Stanley Park: 2:45 pm
Start Time: 3:00 pm

The tour will include a walk through Stanley Park led by a Cultural Land Ambassador. There are two route options: a 400-meter (approximately 1 hour) tour or a 2-kilometer (approximately 1.5 hours) tour.

Indigenous engagement has become an increasingly important academic concern in recent years. Many institutions have begun to consider how such things as improved programs of study, increased attention toward Indigenous knowledges, and appropriate forms of community engagement may be achieved. This panel will explore how academic institutions can be learned sites for Indigenous engagement that will serve society in just ways.

This session explores the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, and other areas of scholarly endeavour and how they may contribute to our shared journey toward reconciliation. Essential to this reconciliatory journey is the leadership of Indigenous Peoples in academic institution evolution and program decision making. This panel will feature representatives from universities in Western Canada who will describe how they have partnered with Indigenous Peoples to support their right to participate in decision making in areas of importance for them, including academic governance, institution building, land stewardship, and retention of Indigenous languages.

Carwyn Jones, a Māori legal academic from Aotearoa, will open the session with some reflections on the nature of academies’ engagement with Indigenous peoples, particularly in the context of broader processes of reconciliation. The session will consider what role academies have had to date in reconciliation and, especially, what role they ought to play in the future. This session will also be an opportunity for discussing ideas to provide for better engagement with Indigenous peoples, including exploring what institutional transformations might be necessary.