Indigenous Studies

Graduate Student Bio's

Darren H. Courchene, from the Sagkeeng First Nation, has attended both Red River College and the University of Winnipeg obtaining a diploma in Aboriginal Self-Government Administration and a bachelor degree in Aboriginal Governance and Religious Studies. He has worked in the field of oral history documentation for over five years in two major research projects – the Treaty No.1 Oral History Project and the Manitoba Treaties Oral History Project. Darren has entered the University of Winnipeg’s Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance for the theoretical training in governance and to explore other methods of collecting, analyzing, presenting, and preserving oral histories. His thesis is tentatively titled: Gaagiikido gaagii-bi-izhisemaagoowin (Articulating an Anishinaabe Oral History Research Methodology).

Tanya Rashmi Muthusamipillai, is a Canadian born Sri Lankan Tamil who graduated from the University of Toronto with an H.B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy. Tanya gained a passion for learning and advocating for Indigenous rights after taking courses in Aboriginal politics in university. She has spent many years volunteering with various Indigenous organizations, but one of the most life changing experiences was her seven months spent living and working with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in Dettah, Northwest Territories. Living on the reserve and working at the band council office allowed her to understand the pressing issues relating to governance and community preservation. Thereafter, Tanya obtained a position as an Aboriginal Project Coordinator working for the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s Roots & Shoots for Aboriginal Youth program. In this role, Tanya worked with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities encouraging Aboriginal youth to implement projects that protected their peoples, animals and the environment. With a long term goal of becoming a legal advocate for Aboriginal rights, Tanya believed it was important to obtain this MA to better understand Indigenous perspectives and worldviews. Her thesis research will focus on the reality of self government as a solution to the economic disadvantage and poverty experienced on First Nations reserves.

Los indígenas no somos mitos del pasado, ruinas de la selva o zoológicos. Somos personas y queremos ser RESPETADAS. No ser víctimas de INTOLERANCIA Y RACISMO (Rigoberta Menchú)

My name is Krupskaia Neiza Torrez Medina, coming as I do from a developing nation Bolivia, I realize, perhaps more than most people, the importance of equal opportunities. I attended to the University of San Andres where I got my law degree. My Bachelor Thesis, "Indigenous Peoples as New Subjects of International Law" involved a great deal of research relevant to the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the International arena.

I have assisted at various conferences, courses and seminars but the ones who really fire attention was an encounter entitled ‘Worldwide Indigenous Peoples and The Diplomatic Academy’, event hosted by the Bolivian Diplomatic Academy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the event recognized international indigenous peoples experts, such as (Bartolome Clavero, Nina Pacari and Rodolfo Stavenhagen) participated. During the Master Program, I am especially interested in undertaking research in the area of the interconnection of development, culture and identity and in ways of maximizing the engagement of members of the indigenous peoples in all decisions that affect their lives. It is necessary to formulate a new concept of development which takes account of ecological, cultural, social and spiritual criteria and will thus provide more meaningful measures nationally and globally.

Colleen Sheryl McIvor, from the Long Plain First Nation, has attended the University of Winnipeg obtaining an 4 yr, Bachelor of Arts Degree concentration in Sociology and Political Science. She has worked in the field of Economic and Community Development for over a decade. She has taken the Program of Legal Studies for Native People at the University of Saskatchewan. Colleen is currently working on her thesis.

Jeffrey Decontie

My name is Jeff Decontie and I am born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. My community is Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg in Quebec. My BA is in Indigenous Studies from Trent University.

My research interests include: Indigenous-centered identity and appropriation, Indigenous self-sufficiency in urban centers, and the land claims potential impact on rebuilding nationhood. The purpose of my research is to document how some communities (particularly some Algonquin communities) are rebuilding a sense of nationhood economically, socially, culturally, and politically, on and off reserves. This documentation includes how individuals maintain a distinct tribal identity within the Canadian state's urban centers.