A recently published book explores how modern treaties are being put into action across Canada through case studies and reflections from Indigenous governments and policymakers.
Kwedoo: Best Practices in Implementing Modern Treaties – co-authored by Dr John B Zoe, a senior advisor to the Tłı̨chǫ Government, and Dr Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox – aims to “develop more nuanced understandings of treaties and transform the conversation around what is possible when it comes to their implementation.”
Stories from the Gwich’in Tribal Council, Tł̨ıchǫ Government and Délįnę Got’įnę Government are included in the book.
In a Thursday news release, Hotıì ts’eeda said the book was the culmination of a broader project that spanned seven years, concluding this March, and received $2.5 million in federal funding for a collaboration between the Tł̨ıchǫ Government, Carleton University and the Land Claims Agreements Coalition.
“The implementation of modern treaties supports self-determination and wellbeing,” said Zoe.
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“With Kwedoo, we hope to build understanding of these important organizations and their transformative potential for Indigenous communities across the NWT and in Canada, and transmit important knowledge to today’s youth, who will be responsible for leading modern treaty organizations into the future.”
As part of the research, 60 graduate and undergraduate students received training through “hundreds of hours of presentations,” publications, webinars, conferences, and workshop events.
Zoe was also one of 60 contributors whose work featured in the book Working as Indigenous Archaeologists, which was published last September.
In the chapter Dè Goı̨zı̀, he writes about the meaning of place names, their connection to the land and Indigenous history.
