Christine McKenna Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
A great deal of discussion has come up in the news recently concerning Canada’s treatment of and relationship with its Aboriginal population. Obviously, there is still a lot of progress to be made. In a recent op-ed in the Globe and Mail, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn Atleo states, “We must confront the ugly truths and move forward together. And there is a way forward that requires a dedicated commitment across three key areas: respect, fairness and reconciliation.”
The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), a national, non-proft charity with a focus on active citizenship and the inclusion of Canada’s newest citizens, is highlighting the importance of Canada’s collaboration with its First Nations communities at this year’s LaFontaine-Baldwin Symposium . The Symposium, which is organized annually by the ICC, is a is a signature lecture event hosted across the country, showcasing leading thinkers who challenge Canadians to become part of the national conversation on citizenship, democracy, and the common good. This year’s Symposium features a lecture by National Chief Atleo entitled “First Nations and the Future of Citizenship”. The lecture, followed by an audience question period, will address Canadian citizenship, responsibility, and belonging as they relate to Canadian identity, understanding of history, and efforts to build a successful, harmonious nation.
The 2013 Lafontaine-Baldwin Symposium is being held in Stratford, Ontario in partnership with the city’s annual festival, as the cornerstone event of its new Forum series. The National Chief’s speech will take place on Saturday, August 10th at 10am, and tickets are $20. A live webcast will also be available for viewing, which can be streamed here.
Symposium Founder & ICC Co-Chair, John Ralston Saul, comments on why you should attend the event or watch the webcast:
“This is a historic moment in the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians – as important as the rethinking of the Francophone-Anglophone relationship that began in the 1960’s. National Chief Atleo sits at the centre of the discussion about where our country is going. Success or failure on Aboriginal questions will determine the direction of Canada. We are all Treaty people. Canadians need to hear what Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, has to say about the future of citizenship in this country.”
More information on the event can be found here and here. To keep track of updates and join the conversation on Twitter, follow @ICCICC and @stratfest, and use the hashtags #sfForum and #ICCAtleo.