Dean’s Distinguished Lecture: Reconciling History

Reconciling History

Colonialism entrenched inequality as a lived reality for many Indigenous peoples around the world. This presentation talks about what colonialism is, how it birthed multi-generational inequality and what can be done, including academically, to achieve justice in change-resistant environments.

Event Description

The Faculty of Education is pleased to partner with the Janusz Korczak Association (JKA) of Canada in presenting the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture. The distinguished lecture series highlights the ongoing work of those who seek to advance children’s rights in Canada and is presented in partnership with the JKA as a way of continuing the legacy of Janusz Korczak, a Polish-Jewish doctor and educator, who in 1942 perished in Treblinka along with nearly 200 orphans in his care.

Following the Distinguished Lecture, Directors of the JKA will present the Janusz Korczak Scholarship in Children’s Rights and Indigenous Education, Janusz Korczak Association of Canada Statuette, and the Janusz Korczak Association of Canada Medal.

Host

Dr. Jan Hare, Dean pro tem, UBC Faculty of Education

Distinguished Speaker

Dr. Cindy Blackstock

Dr. Blackstock is a member of the Gitksan First Nation with over 25 years of social work experience in child protection and Indigenous children’s rights. Her research interests are Indigenous theory and the identification and remediation of structural inequalities affecting Indigenous children, youth and families.

An author of over 50 publications and a widely sought-after public speaker, Dr. Blackstock has collaborated with other Indigenous leaders to assist the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in the development and adoption of a General Comment on the Rights of Indigenous children. Recently, she also worked with Indigenous youth, UNICEF and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to produce a youth-friendly version of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child. Her promotion of culturally-based and evidence-informed solutions has been recognized by the Nobel Women’s Initiative, the Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, Frontline Defenders and many others.

Dr. Blackstock is the 2017 recipient of the Janusz Korczak Medal.

Featuring

Her Honour, The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Honourable Steven Lewis Point, OBC (xwĕ lī qwĕl tĕl)
Ms. Lillian Boraks Nemetz, Board Member, The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada
Dr. Anton Grunfeld, Board Member, The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada
Mr. Jerry Nussbaum, President, The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada
Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth, Representative for Children and Youth, British Columbia
Dr. Chris Loock, Board Member, The Janusz Korczak Association of Canada

Recording

Contact

Contact alumni.events@ubc.ca with any questions regarding this event.

References

Jordan’s Principle
Report a Jordan’s Principle case or a retroactive case between 2009-2017.

  • 1-855-JP- CHILD
  • 1-833-PJ-ENFAN

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Spirit Bear Plan to end all inequalities in First Nations public services
fncaringsociety.com/spirit-bear-plan

Calls to action:

  • Spread the word on Twitter using #SpiritBearPlan and tag @CaringSociety
  • Contact your Member of Parliament and ask them to support the Spirit Bear Plan
  • Contact the Caring Society to learn more at info@fncaringsociety.com

Alanis Obomsawin
One of the most acclaimed Indigenous directors in the world, Alanis Obomsawin has created more than 50 films for the National Film Board of Canada.
nfb.ca/directors/alanis-obomsawin

First Nations Children and Family Caring Society
fncaringsociety.com

A National Crime: The Canadian Government and the Residential School System, 1879 to 1986
By John S. Milloy
uofmpress.ca/books/detail/a-national-crime