Indigenous Rights in Canada: A Letter to the Prime Minister

Sample Introduction

The issue you might address in your letter can draw on any aspect of Indigenous rights and history we've touched on in this course. The more specific the issue you raise. the better.

For example. while treaty implementation issues may be the broader category of issue you're interested in addressing, it would be good to focus on a specific treaty, or a specific treaty issue, such as the right to healthcare. Other broad categories may include, but not be limited to:

1. Land rights‘land claims
2. Indigenous languages
3. Education
4. Policing
5. Indigenous representation in politics
6. Hunting’ fishing rights
7. Policing
8. Healthcare
9. Access to resources

I' ll provide a sample introduction in class and post to Brightspace so you can get a sense of how you might set up the letter while also balancing the necessary aspects of a research paper.

Assignment Overview

This is a critical research paper in the form of a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Canada or other political leader of relevance to the issue at hand.

Students will choose one area of Indigenous rights. history. relations. etc in Canada and construct a letter to the Prime Minister or other political leader in which you:
1. Provide a clear and detailed overview of the issue under discussion;
2. Contextualize the issue in the broader history of Indigenous-state relations in Canada:e Offer a recommendation or recommendation(s) for how the issue might be addressed — this can include a policy recommendation, a political decision, a legal decision. an educational initiative. etc — be creative and think of the best way forward to address the issue.

While this assignment takes the form of a formal letter. it will also be a well-developed research paper that includes a central claim or assertion (a thesis statement). secondary academic sources, clear paragraph structure. and adherence to APA style and format.

In deciding how to situate your research and also what path(s) forward you will recommend. keep in mind some of the tenets of this course with regards to centering Indigenous voices and perspectives. foregrounding Indigenous self-determination, and emphasizing Indigenous worldviews, governance structures, and philosophies.

The letter may be addressed to Justin Trudeau, or other political leaders you deem relevant to the issue under discussion. For example. you may wish to address the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations. Mark Miller. Or perhaps you would rather address the National Cliet of the Assembly of First Nations. RoseAnne Archibald. You may even choose to address a local leader. including the elected Chief of your community. or the mayor of your municipality. Consider what level of government this issue 1s best addressed at. and who you would want to speak to if you had the opportunity.

The issue you might address in your letter can draw on any aspect of Indigenous rights and history we've touched on in this course. The more specific the issue you raise. the better.

Beginning your letter: Introduction

Think of this as a creative research paper in that it includes all the elements of a typical research paper (thesis, evidence, organization), but also allows for some flexibility in form and personal address
Therefore, your intro must do three things:

1. Make the address – ie . Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

2. Introduce your topic (which should include historical contextualization) – ie. I am writing you to address the issue of Indigenous languages. The survival of Indigenous languages have been threatened by over one hundred and fifty years of Canadian colonization, and particularly through the Indian Residential School System. …..

3. Assert your argument and sub-arguments – ie. Drawing on the work of the [Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada], I am asking you to support Indigenous languages in order to help … Three ways you can support Indigenous language revitalization are: [1] respond to Calls to Action x, y, z, [2] implement Bill C-91, An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages, and [3] work with Indigenous communities themselves to assess where further resources are needed.

Outlining Your Letter

Beginning your research and writing process by creating an essay outline is a very effective way to ensure a successful paper.

Intro

Make address (you’ll need to decide who you want to address – I can help if needed)
Introduce topic
Make claim/thesis (ie. what you are asking to be addressed and why)
List sub-arguments (ie. how you suggest it be addressed – which will stem from your research)

Body

Historical Context (ie. in order to understand x, we need to understand the history of ….)
Example 1 of how to address
Example 2 of how to address
Example 3 of how to address

Conclusion