Aboriginal Gathering Series

 

National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge

From 2002 to 2005, the Department of Canadian Heritage hosted a series of three National Gatherings with the goal of engaging Aboriginal communities across Canada in dialogues on key issues relating to artistic expression, cultures and tourism, and Indigenous knowledge. The goal of these Gatherings was to help to build and enhance policies, programs, and services relevant to, and supportive of, the needs of Aboriginal peoples.

For participants, the National Gatherings provided opportunities for networking and dialogue, the sharing of best practices, increased knowledge of available support from federal departments and agencies, brainstorming on opportunities and strategies for change, and open and relevant discussions of key issues. The National Gatherings helped Canadian Heritage gain a better understanding of how the mandate of Canadian Heritage relates to the support of Indigenous Knowledge

Expressions: National Gathering on Aboriginal Artistic Expression was held from June 17th to 19th, 2002, in Ottawa, Ontario. Chaired by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the gathering brought together about 250 delegates, chosen by the Department of Canadian Heritage in close consultation with members of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee. They represented Canada's Aboriginal artistic community (artists, producers, directors, broadcasters, publishers, distributors, representatives of artistic associations, cultural industries, Aboriginal training institutions, local communities, national Aboriginal associations, academics, businesspeople, etc.).

Final Report – Expressions: National Gathering on Aboriginal Artistic Expression

HTML Format | PDF Format, 9.952 MB

Discussion papers may be obtained by contacting us.

Destinations : National Gathering on Aboriginal Cultures and Tourism was the 2nd in the series. Held in Whistler, British Columbia from December 1st to 3rd, 2003, its goal was to engage Aboriginal communities across Canada in a dialogue on the key issues relating to artistic expression, cultures and tourism, and traditional knowledge. The gathering explored the relationship between the support, celebration, sustainability and promotion of Aboriginal cultures and tourism in Canada, and provided a forum in which key stakeholders from the Canadian Heritage Portfolio came together with Aboriginal tourism operators, artists, traditionalists, academics, youth, Elders and other governmental representatives to discuss both the support needed by Aboriginal communities to have ownership over how their cultures are represented in the context of tourism, and how tourism can be made to work in support of the long-term well–being of communities and their cultures.

Final Report – Destinations: National Gathering on Aboriginal Cultures and Tourism

HTML Format | PDF Format, 2.36 MB

Discussion papers may be obtained by contacting us.

Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge was the third in the series, and was comprised of a series of eight discussions that took place in different locations across Canada in May and June of 2005. It acknowledged and celebrated the rich foundation of knowledge and the contributions that Aboriginal peoples have made to Canada. Traditions provided a forum in which key stakeholders from the Canadian Heritage Portfolio came together with Indigenous communities and other government sectors to discuss the topics of recognition, respect and celebration of Indigenous Knowledge and Artistic Expression; Intellectual and Cultural Properties; and Languages and Cultures.

Final Report – Traditions: National Gatherings on Indigenous Knowledge

HTML Format | PDF Format, 649 KB



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