Katherine A.H. Graham Lecture on Indigenous Policy
Established in 2009, the Katherine A.H. Graham Lecture on Indigenous Policy provides a vehicle for examining a wide range of policy issues, cases, models and tools related to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada. Under this initiative, the University annually invites a noted leader in the Indigenous community, the non-profit sector, government or business to present a public lecture on Indigenous policy.
Katherine Graham served as Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs from 2003-2009. This lectureship honours her deep commitment to the sustainability of Indigenous communities through public policy and citizen engagement.
The event takes place annually in June.
The 2019 Katherine A.H. Graham Lecture on Indigenous Policy featured Deborah McGregor, Associate Professor at York University & Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice. The event was held on Monday, June 10, 2019.
Indigenous Environmental Justice, Knowledge and Law
This presentation explored ideas around the potential for advancing environmental justice (EJ) through engaging with Indigenous intellectual and legal traditions. By grounding EJ in Indigenous epistemological and ontological foundations, a distinct and alternative EJ framework emerges. It is anticipated that such engagement will be lead to a renewed vision for achieving justice. In support of this goal, Dr. McGregor highlights the philosophy referred to by the Anishinabek as mino-naadmodzawin (“living well” or the “good life”), common to a number of Indigenous epistemologies, that considers the critical importance of mutually respectful and beneficial relationships not only among peoples, but among all our relations. Mino-naadmodzawin provides a foundation for standard of conduct that will be required if society is to begin engaging in appropriate relationships with all of Creation, thereby establishing a sustainable and just world.
Previous Speakers
Deborah McGregor: Indigenous Environmental Justice, Knowledge and Law
Natan Obed: Reimagining Canada’s Relationship with the Inuit People
Ry Moran: Rights and Responsibilities in a Time of Reconciliation
Val Napoleon: Indigenous Legal Perspectives as Policy and Research Foundation
James K. Bartleman: Aboriginal Canadians: The Struggle to be Seen as Human
Satsan (Herb George): A New Era in Aboriginal/Crown Relations – A New Frontier for Educational Institutions
Shawn A-in-chut Atleo: Smashing the Status Quo
Mary May Simon: The Biggest Social Policy Change of Our Time