askiy Workshop Series
The askiy Workshop Series offers a unique professional development opportunity focusing on Indigenous perspectives of land. It delves into the history, worldviews, contemporary challenges, and the Seven Generation Strategic Decision Making approach of Indigenous peoples. While it is particularly beneficial for Indigenous leaders, land managers, and technical staff, it also provides valuable insights for anyone working with Indigenous communities. Additionally, USask staff, faculty, and students seeking to broaden their understanding of Indigenous land-related concepts are welcome to participate.
Upcoming Workshops
Stay tuned for our workshops offered in 2025.
Past Workshops
Focus: Exploring the principles of seven generation planning and its application in land management and community development.
Topics covered:
Seven Generation Strategic Decision Making
- Principles and importance of planning for seven generations
- How this approach influences current and future decision making
- Strategies for sustainable land use and planning
- Balancing modern needs with traditional values
- Ensuring the long-term health of lands
- Planning for environmental sustainability
- Historical and contemporary perspectives on shared territories
- Implementing shared territory concepts for future generations
December 4, 2024
PANEL PRESENTATION
Examining the current policy and legislative regimes affecting First Nations in Canada, and the importance of asserting Indigenous sovereignty.
Policy and Legislative Regimes
- Overview of current First Nation land policies and legislative regimes
- Analysis of how these regimes impact Indigenous land management
Indigenous Sovereignty
- Importance of asserting sovereignty in land management
- Successful assertions of sovereignty
November 21, 2024
This workshop delves into the complex and contested issues surrounding authority and jurisdiction over Indigenous lands and territories. This session will explore the historical and ongoing debates in Canada and globally, shedding light on common misconceptions and the lack of knowledge about Indigenous peoples' history and their rights to the land.
Drawing on research from the early 1900s on Alquonquian lands, the presenter will examine the central issue of what constitutes the Indigenous understanding of the territorial meaning of "our land or our country." Through the lens of Keith Napoleon Goulet from Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, participants will gain a deeper understanding of these critical issues and engage in meaningful discussions to broaden their perspectives.
October 24, 2024
Developed by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner; the Treaty Learning Journey – Let’s Talk Truth is a 4 part workshop series that will educate you on the following: Workshop 1 (Before Treaty - Worldview and Indigeneity), Workshop 2 (At Treaty - Pre-contact Treaties, Numbered Treaties, Spirit and Intent), Workshop 3 (Breaches of Treaty - Indian Act, Indian Residential Schools, NRTA), and Workshop 4 – (Current Indigenous circumstances - myths and misconceptions).
Workshop 4 will focus on current Indigenous circumstances such as, but not limited to: the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Jordan’s Principle and myths and misconceptions.
May 9, 2024
PANEL PRESENTATION
The kihci-okâwîmâw askiy Knowledge Centre works for and with Indigenous communities to support the development and delivery of land related teaching, research and engagement opportunities that are of significance to Indigenous communities.
This panel presentation will focus on Natural Climate Solutions and Carbon Market Potentials.
The panel presenters will provide an overview of the carbon environment in Canada.
April 25, 2024
PRESENTER: Benjamin Ralston, College of Law, USask
First Nations face many unique challenges with respect to environmental regulation for reserve lands. For instance, federal environmental laws may be applied more vigorously on-reserve than off- reserve in ways that limit First Nations’ land use decision-making and economic development.
At the same time, regulatory gaps exist on-reserve, with limited options for robust environmental regulation and protection. There are also long- standing barriers to the enforcement of First Nations’ environmental laws and regulations on-reserve.
This presentation will highlight these key issues and explore options for navigating them in practice.
March 21, 2024
PANEL PRESENTATION
This panel discussion will explore the Cree concepts of land. The discussion will focus on the ways in which Cree people understand and relate to the land.
The panelists will draw on their own experiences to provide insights into the cultural, and ecological dimensions of Cree land use.
The discussion will also explore the challenges and opportunities associated with the preservation and revitalization of Cree land- based practices in the context of contemporary society.
February 22, 2024
PANEL PRESENTATION
This panel discussion will explore the relationship between inherent rights, treaty rights, Aboriginal rights, and human rights in Canada.
The panelists will discuss the historical context of inherent rights, the legal framework for treaty rights, the impact of aboriginal rights on Canadian society, and the role of human rights in protecting the rights of all Canadians.
The panelists will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with balancing the rights of different groups in Canadian society and will discuss the ways in which these rights can be protected and promoted.
February 8, 2024
PRESENTER: Office of the Treaty Commissioner
Developed by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner; the Treaty Learning Journey – Let’s Talk Truth will educate you on Before Treaty (Worldview and Indigeneity), At Treaty (Pre-contact Treaties, numbered Treaties, Spirit and Intent), Breaches of Treaty (Indian Act, Indian Residential Schools, NRTA), and Today (current Indigenous circumstances, myths and misconceptions). The Treaty Learning Journey comes to you from the Indigenous side of the story.
While Treaties were being peacefully negotiated and agreed upon, the Canadian government was breaching them. We will discuss these breaches of Treaty and the atrocities that resulted from them.
*Please be advised that this session will contain information and discussion on Indian Residential schools.
January 31, 2024
Led by kêhtê-aya, Joseph Naytowhow, Indigenous Law Centre, College of Law, USask
The kihci-okâwîmâw askiy Knowledge Centre works for and with Indigenous communities to support the development of land related teaching, research and engagement opportunities that are of significance to Indigenous communities.
kêhtê-aya, Joseph Naytowhow will lead us in this conversation about Knowledge Sovereignty.
This conversation will focus on the ethically responsible ways in which traditional knowledge is accessed, earned, and shared.
October 2, 2024
January 25, 2024
November 16, 2023
Presenter: Felix Hoehn, Professor, College of Law, USask
This workshop provided a history of the doctrine of discovery and an overview of the current impacts to Indigenous peoples and their relationship to the land.
October 30, 2024
November 30, 2023
Presenter: Office of the Treaty Commissioner
Developed by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner; the Treaty Learning Journey – Let’s Talk Truth will educate you on Before Treaty (Worldview and Indigeneity), At Treaty (Pre-contact Treaties, numbered Treaties, Spirit and Intent), Breaches of Treaty (Indian Act, Indian Residential Schools, NRTA), and Today (current Indigenous circumstances, myths and misconceptions). The Treaty Learning Journey comes to you from the Indigenous side of the story.
The focus of this workshop was why and how the Treaties were negotiated and agreed upon. Participants also learnt about the history of the Treaty negotiations, the numbered Treaties, and the Spirit and Intent of Treaties.
November 2, 2023
Presenter: Peter Soroye, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Assessment and Outreach Coordinator,
Wildlife Conservation Society Canada
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are places that are critical for the long-term health and well-being of animals, plants, waters, and the land, and are defined by an international set of criteria.
In acknowledgement of the past, present and future importance of Indigenous-led conservation, and the opportunities for KBAs to support this and to highlight and celebrate diverse values, histories and relationships related to people, lands, waters, plants and animals, the KBA project is working collaboratively with First Nations, Métis and Inuit to identify KBAs across the area called Canada.
In this interactive workshop, participants explored KBAs and help identify and mapped new potential sites.
For more on the KBA Canada project, visit kbacanada.org.
October 18, 2023
Presenter: Peter Soroye, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Assessment and Outreach Coordinator,
Wildlife Conservation Society Canada
Over the past two decades, a group of global organizations have developed a list of criteria to identify Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). These places are critical for the long-term health and well-being of animals, plants, waters, and the land, and a program has recently begun identifying these sites across Canada.
This session provide information on what the KBA Canada project is doing, how KBAs may help support Indigenous conservation, and how to help collaboratively identify these sites, which in many instances exist only because of the stewardship and relationships First Nations, Métis and Inuit have with these species and places.
For more on the KBA Canada project, visit kbacanada.org.
October 12, 2023
Presenter: Office of the Treaty Commissioner
Developed by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner; the Treaty Learning Journey – Let’s Talk Truth will educate you on Before Treaty (Worldview and Indigeneity), At Treaty (Pre-contact Treaties, numbered Treaties, Spirit and Intent), Breaches of Treaty (Indian Act, Indian Residential Schools, NRTA), and Today (current Indigenous circumstances, myths and misconceptions). The Treaty Learning Journey comes to you from the Indigenous side of the story.
The focus of this workshop was on Worldview and Indigeneity. Everyone has their own worldview. We will challenge your worldview to see the world through a different lens.
Indigeneity is the knowledge of who First Nations People are; you will learn their traditional lifestyle, language, culture, beliefs and values.
Contact
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For more information about professional development opportunities and the askiy Workshop Series, contact:
Donna van de VeldeSpecial Projects Officer, kihci-okâwîmâw askiy Knowledge Centre
donna.vandevelde@usask.ca