Knowledge Council
The Knowledge Council provides recommendations and guide the Governing Council and other Councils in their deliberations. The Knowledge Holders/Keepers participate at all meetings to give their needed and valued guidance.
Governance review and order will come from the Knowledge Council. The Council will assure we are following ancestral and modern laws and customs to move our Nation forward.
The Knowledge Council is made up of one (1) appointed member from each Local Nation within First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory. The Knowledge Council are appointed by their Local Nation. The Chairperson of the Council is part of the Governing Council.
The Knowledge Council with their guidance assists the Government of FNT2T with the Anishinaabe Mediation and Conflict Protocol as per Resolution 2020-09-03-005.
The Knowledge Council also service as the College for Accreditation. The Life Long Learning Circle and Lodge works with the Knowledge Council to move FNT2T’s self governing process forward.
Knowledge Council moves with accreditation process – Restoring Our Inherent Right to Our Knowledge
Knowledge Council passes the Knowledge College ToR – Restoring Our Inherent Right to Our Knowledge
The Grand Council is scheduled at Ebb and Flow Anishinaabe.
Our regular schedule is as follows;
- TBA – every first Wednesday of each Month
- Animozeebeeng (Lake Manitoba): Dwight Paul
- Attagewiniing (Gambler): Angela Tourond
- Kaakiiskakamigaag (Little Saskatchewan): Earl Sinclair / Elva Sinclair
- Kakakwekejong (Ebb & Flow): Louie Malcolm (Chair)
- Kithithkatchewanang (Dauphin River): Emery Stagg
- Keeseekoowenin: Dwayne Blackbird
- Minegoziibe (Pine Creek): Cindy McKay
- Obushkudayang (Lake St. Martin): N/A
- O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi: Wallace Ahmo (Vice Chair)
- Pinaymootang: Wilma Prince / Clements Prince
- Skownan: Elsi Marsden
- Tootinaowaziibeeng: Garth Ironstand
Knowledge College – Restoring Our Inherent Right to Our Knowledge
1.0 INTRODUCTION
We are born with the inherent right to knowledge. Transmission of knowledge begins in our first school, which is at home with our families. This transfer of knowledge has existed since time immemorial. Our ancestral way of learning is through storytelling and observation.
The Knowledge Keepers are holders in our member Local Nations who are responsible for carrying and transferring inherent knowledge forward from generation to generation. Our Knowledge Keepers are (keepers of the gifts) through ancestral teachings and ceremony. It is the Knowledge Keepers who sanctioned a learner when progressing to the next level in learning.
Colonization interrupted this transfer of ancestral knowledge through the imposition of the residential school system. Our system(s) of education were replaced with the colonial system. We now understand that education was used as a tool for cultural genocide (Source TRC).
There are different ways of learning. We unearth our gifts through learning. We wish for everyone to discover their gifts and achieve a good life. In our traditional education system(s), it was our knowledge carriers who accredited us. Today, we require a document behind our names to provide us with this accreditation. We need these documents to live in today’s world. We must learn about who we are and where we come from. To do this, we will restore our ancestral knowledge and our learning systems in a way that achieves balance with the Western society.
2.0 PRINCIPLES
Restoring Anishinaabe Learning systems must be:
- Based on our identity, culture and language, and to a substantively equitable life long learning that is appropriate;
- Carried out in the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration among First Nations, the Government of Canada, and provincial and territorial governments;
- Supported through commitment, accountability, responsibilities; through fiscal arrangements and achievable learning outcomes; and
- The importance of our individual and collective responsibility as Anishinaabe.
3.0 ACTION
- Carry out engagements with our Local Nations, The Nation, Government of FNT2T;
- Approve accreditation and certification with the Treaty 2 Territory and Government of FNT2T;
- Support the Earth Lodge and Life Long Learning Centre through our Anishinaabe teachings, rights and laws;
- Review of the current educational partnerships;
- Support the Life Long Learning (Education) Law and education system;
- Restoration and improvement of Life Long Learning to support education;
- Facilitate and support the creation of Laws within the Treaty 2 Territory; and
- Ensure adequate funding to support a First Nation learning system that meets the needs of First Nation learners and First Nations.
Establish an accountability and reporting framework that supports Local Nations.
