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MUN has to weed out false Indigenous claims, report says — but the path forward is unclear

First peoples group report on indigenous verification draws ire of nunatukavut community council.

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An independent consultant has given Memorial University its final report on Indigenous verification. Now it's up to the university to decide who is Indigenous and who is not, and in Newfoundland and Labrador, that's no easy question.

The university hired First Peoples Group, a Canadian Indigenous advisory firm, to hold consultations with Indigenous groups and make recommendations on future identity policy.

Neil Bose, vice-chancellor and interim president of the university, said at this juncture the recommendations are just that. 

"We need to determine the best course of action going forward, but we have made no decisions yet," said Bose in an interview Thursday. "Any decisions that we do take will be through the full process of consultations and policy protocol development."

• MUN hires external consultant to help develop Indigenous verification policy

The report recommends verifying an Indigenous collective through a two-pronged approach: federal government recognition under Section 35 of the Constitution Act and/or acceptance by other federally recognized Indigenous groups.

The stakes are high in getting it right, Bose said, as identity policy will determine who can and cannot access Indigenous scholarships and jobs.

The university currently works on an honour system of self-declaration. 

"We need to come up with some kind of protocol because during all of the process, we actually have Indigenous students applying for Indigenous scholarships. We have Indigenous faculty teaching Indigenous subjects," he said.

A difference of opinion

What's clear from this report is that there is a wide spectrum of opinion.

Some participants said the university shouldn't police identity at all, while others said allowing the potential for false claims is colonialist.

A report for MUN recommends how the university should determine who is Indigenous

The report cited one instance in which Memorial University hired a non-Inuk throat singer to perform at the university. 

"This performer had learned throat singing from an Inuk and then exploited this teaching, which was shared in good faith to benefit professionally and financially," the report said.

"Furthermore, this person misrepresented themselves and Inuit whom they learned from. Participants felt that this incident could have been prevented by an Indigenous verification protocol."

But perhaps the biggest point of contention is over which collectives should be included at all.

"Many participants voiced that Memorial University will lose credibility with legitimate Indigenous collectives from partnering with and granting opportunities to unrecognized collectives such as NCC [NunatuKavut community council]," the report said.

NunatuKavut President Todd Russell called the report "useless."

"It is biased, it is prejudicial to the rights and interests of NunatuKavut Inuit," he said Thursday afternoon.

Russell, whose group says it represents about 6,000 Inuit in central and southern Labrador, says the process was flawed at the outset.

He said he was called by Catharyn Andersen, vice-president of Indigenous matters, last year in the wake of former university president Vianne Timmons's departure. Timmons left the institution after a CBC News investigation raised questions about her previous statements about her Indigenous ancestry and membership in an unrecognized band. 

• CBC Investigates | Walking the line

Russell said Andersen told him NunatuKavut would not be included in an Indigenous roundtable on the matter. The roundtable was later scrapped in favour of a the First Persons Group report.

Until then, Russell said, the university had a burgeoning relationship with NunatuKavut.

"It is a report that … arrives at a particular conclusion around NunatuKavut Inuit that we feel panders to the political campaign against NunatuKavut Inuit by some other Indigenous organizations," he said.

"And we feel that the Office of the Vice President for Indigenous has been complicit in this process."

In a statement Thursday afternoon, MUN spokesperson Courtenay Griffin said there was a discussion with Russell about NunatuKavut being excluded from the roundtable. 

"Universities across the country have been in conversation about Indigenous verification, and several universities now have new policies in place that, at their core, rely on federally-recognized Indigenous groups," Griffin wrote.

"As a result, we decided to proceed with four federally recognized groups in the province."

Following feedback from NunatuKavut and others, the university decided against the roundtable, Griffin said. 

"To date, NCC has participated in all of our independent consultation processes on Indigenous verification."

'A difficult situation to be in'

The Innu Nation, national Inuit organization Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Nunatsiavut government — which represents Inuit in five communities on Labrador's north coast — have for years disputed those claims and the legitimacy of NunatuKavut's Indigenous status .

Innu leaders are contesting a 2019 memorandum of understanding in which the Canadian government recognized NunatuKavut as an "Indigenous collective."

• Innu Nation disputes Canada's recognition of NunatuKavut in Federal Court

The Innu Nation did not respond to an interview request from CBC News on Thursday. The Nunatsiavut government said it is still reviewing the report. 

While Bose said those issues extend beyond the university, it is now up to the institution to deal with them. 

"That's a difficult situation to be in. It's not just the one group, actually, there's more than one group and on the island actually," he said. "That's why it's not going to be a fast process. We need to listen to both sides of that."

Bose would not put a timeline on when such a policy would be developed. 

Memorial University follows many other Canadian academic institutions grappling with the same issues. Many have commissioned similar reports in the wake of high-profile professors having claims to Indigenous identity debunked .

"Obviously we are watching what happens elsewhere. We're also noting that things have not been perfect elsewhere," Bose said. 

There are approximately 1,100 self-identified Indigenous students studying at the university, both on campus and online. NunatuKavut estimates it has more than 100 students currently enrolled at Memorial University. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Investigative reporter

Ariana Kelland is a reporter with the CBC Newfoundland and Labrador bureau in St. John's. She is working as a member of CBC's Atlantic Investigative Unit. Email: [email protected]

• Follow Ariana Kelland on Twitter

Related Stories

• Indigenous leaders adopt declaration condemning identity theft
• Innu Nation federal court challenge over NunatuKavut deal with Ottawa begins
• Congress of Aboriginal Peoples accuses Inuit leader of lateral violence against Labrador group
• Innu Nation pulling out of N.L. premier's Indigenous roundtable
• Inuit leader warns of Labrador group's 'illegitimate claims' to Inuit identity

The top 10 attractions in Newfoundland and Labrador

Things to do

Newfoundland and Labrador is where centuries of history and quaint fishing villages live alongside modern design and outdoor adventure. These attractions hit all those stops.

Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada

What if I told you that much of your daily life was influenced by what unfolded on a hill in St. John's, Newfoundland? The  Signal Hill National Historic Site External Link Title  is not your everyday landmark. British and French soldiers battled for control of this strategic site during the final battle of the Seven Years' War. Then, in 1901, Guglielmo Marconi received the first ever transatlantic wireless signal on Signal Hill, making communications history and kicking off the innovation that would ultimately led to the mobile phone you might be reading this on. Today, this history is put on display for visitors. Listen to the firing of cannon and muskets as the Royal Newfoundland Regiment re-enacts centuries-old military drills in what's known as the Signal Hill Tattoo. Take a self-guided tour to learn about the military history of the site and Marconi's achievements. Hike some of the five kilometres of surrounding trails and enjoy spectacular views of St. John's and the ocean--and maybe even a few whales or icebergs as they pass by.

Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site of Canada

Have you ever felt an entire country at your back? This is the unique opportunity provided by the  Cape Spear Lighthouse External Link Title . The most eastern point of Canada, a rugged cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, is also the site of the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland. Originally built in 1836, the Cape Spear lighthouse has been restored to its early appearance. Take a self-guided tour and see how the Cantwells, the family who ran the lighthouse for 150 years, lived in its attached residence. During World War II, a fort was built at Cape Spear to keep an eye out for German U-boats. Remains of the bunker still exist, but instead of watching for breaching submarines you can instead keep an eye out for breaching whales. Enjoy the edge of the world.

East Coast Trail

No matter your fitness level, skill level or preferred terrain, the  East Coast Trail External Link Title  has a path designed for you. Do you want to take an easy walking path along the water? You've got it. Want to trek between a series of lighthouses? You can. Would you rather get a good workout climbing up rocky terrain? Oh, there's loads of that. From a 50-metre suspension bridge to geysers and archeological digs, the 545 kilometres of developed and undeveloped East Coast Trail provide you with plenty of opportunities to find the hike you're after.

Gros Morne National Park

If Jurassic Park ever actually came to be, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more appropriate setting than  Gros Morne National Park External Link Title . It took 485 million years for the forces of nature to shape this park into a jaw-dropping wonder. Images can hardly do justice to the beautiful green river valleys sitting between vast cliff sides. These distinct mountains of flat rock are actually the exposed crust of the earth, and the site allowed geologists to prove their theory on tectonic plates. Gros Morne is really a hiker's dream, full of marked and unmarked trails to be explored and enjoyed. The forests, lowlands and bogs all house a variety of rare plants and animals, so keep your eyes peeled. Bring your camping gear; you're probably going to want to stay a while.

Fogo Island

Fogo Island External Link Title  is the largest island of Newfoundland and Labrador's lengthy coast. While the province is often seen as a destination for outdoor adventurers and cultural explorers, Fogo Island has become a unique, stand-out destination for lovers of art and architecture. Central to that shift is the Fogo Island Inn, a truly beautiful luxury hotel set next to the sea along the rocky coastline. The hotel features rooftop hot tubs, a library and decor based on local traditions, but in an award-winning designed building and in a setting you simply won't find anywhere else. While on Fogo Island, you can take an island tour with a friendly Islander, explore the local artist studios, feast on simple but delicious Newfoundland specialities and tasty locally-foraged treats, and enjoy some traditional music and storytelling.

When you picture small coastal fishing towns, the image in your head probably isn't too far off from  Bonavista External Link Title . The town is etched in history as the historic site of Cabot's landing, where Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto first discovered North America in 1497. Today, Bonavista is a quaint town of colourful homes along rocky shores and pebbled beaches. There are number of heritage attractions in the area, from old buildings and museums to classic coastal lighthouses, but the oldest thing you'll see on your visit are the 20,000-year-old icebergs as they float on by. Keep an eye out for whales, and, of course, visit the full-size replica of Cabot's ship.

L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site

While we're on the topic of history and discovery, it's at  L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site External Link Title  that you'll find the very first evidence of a European presence in North America. Long before Cabot, Newfoundland and Labrador was visited by Vikings, and at L'Anse aux Meadows you can see the remains of one of their settlements. Dating back to the 11th century, the excavated wood-framed and peat-turf buildings are similar to those found in Greenland and Iceland during that period. Immerse yourself in this history with the help of costumed guides, see the 1,000-year-old artefacts, and live like a Viking for a day in a truly appropriate setting, surrounded by cliffs, coastline, and bogs.

Twillingate

Seafood and scenery are words you'll find come up a lot when talking about  Twillingate External Link Title . This small, colorful fishing town, located on islands of the same name, is one of those places where fish comes fresh from the water and right onto your plate. It's also the iceberg capital of the world, and a great outdoor adventure destination, with whale-watching, beaches, and kayaking to pass the time. Hiking in particular draws in many visitors, as you can walk the rocky coastline trails, picking wild berries on your way to a scenic lighthouse. And if you can time your trip to the last week of July, make sure you stop by the Fish, Fun and Folk Festival External Link Title for music, bonfires, fireworks, and more.

Red Bay National Historic Site

It has only been a few years since UNESCO named the  Red Bay National Historic Site External Link Title  a World Heritage Site, but that title was really earned over the last five centuries. In the 1500s, thousands of Basque whalers would hunt the marine beasts for blubber in the waters of Red Bay. The whaling town remains where they first set it up, and you can still explore remnants of their ovens and other equipment. Visit the education centre to see a 26-foot "chalupa," a boat used in the whale hunt, and then compare it to the far larger whale skeletons on site. Then head out on your own to hike the beach or kayak the waters, and keep an eye out for any big shadows moving underneath.

Battle Harbour

"The salt fish capital of Labrador" might not seem like a particularly meaningful tagline, but for  Battle Harbour External Link Title  this moniker made it the social and economic hub in the region. Here, two centuries of history have been preserved or restored, from fishery buildings to churches and homes, many of which are yours to stay in. You can sleep in a former merchant or policeman's home before heading out on the town to explore their workplaces and other historic structures. Then settle down for a fresh meal and enjoy the same entertainment that they've enjoyed in Battle Harbour for the last 100 years. You might come for the orcas, icebergs, and hiking, but it's the atmosphere that will keep you around.

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Building more child care spaces for families in Newfoundland and Labrador

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

News release

Every child deserves the best start in life. But for young families, including Millennial and Gen Z parents, the costs of child care can add up to a second rent or mortgage payment. This makes it harder to start and support a family, and as a result, parents—especially moms—often face impossible choices between their careers and child care fees.

May 15, 2024     St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador     Employment and Social Development Canada Every child deserves the best start in life. But for young families, including Millennial and Gen Z parents, the costs of child care can add up to a second rent or mortgage payment. This makes it harder to start and support a family, and as a result, parents—especially moms—often face impossible choices between their careers and child care fees. Fairness for every generation means ensuring parents, especially moms, do not have to choose between a career and starting a family. The Government is taking action to make life cost less for young families and to build a Canada where every generation can get ahead. Already, all provinces and territories are offering or are on track to offer $10-a-day regulated child care. This progress, made possible by nearly $40 billion in federal support since 2016, including the transformative investment of nearly $30 billion in Budget 2021, is making life more affordable for young families. Women’s labour force participation is now at a record high of 85.7%, meaning more families are bringing home more income and contributing to Canada’s economic growth, while saving thousands of dollars on child care every year. But more families need access to affordable child care. That’s why, today in St. John’s, the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Seniors, and the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, joined the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Education, to announce $13.7 million over four years, including approximately $9.8 million through 2025-2026, to help build more inclusive child care spaces across the province through the Government of Canada’s $625 million Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund. This investment will help Newfoundland and Labrador reach the shared goal of building 5,895 new child care spaces by 2026. Through this Fund, all provinces and territories will be able to make further investments in child care , so more families can save up to $14,300 on child care every year, per child. These investments will aim to support families in rural and remote communities, as well as families in communities that face barriers to access, such as racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, official language minority communities, and children, parents and employees with disabilities. Funding may also be used to support infrastructure to provide care during non-standard hours. Across the country, over 750,000 kids are already benefiting from affordable, high-quality child care, with some families saving up to $14,300 per child, per year. Alongside provinces and territories, the Government of Canada has also announced over 100,000 new spaces, well on the way to reaching the goal of creating 250,000 new spaces by March 2026. Investing in affordable child care is about helping more families save thousands of dollars on child care and ensuring that every child has the best start in life. The measures highlighted above complement what the Government of Canada is doing in Budget 2024 to build a fairer Canada for every generation. The Government is building more homes, strengthening public health care, making life cost less, and growing the economy in a way that is shared by all—to make sure every generation has a fair chance at building a good middle-class life.

“Young families who don’t yet have access to affordable child care spaces are paying as much as a second rent or mortgage payment for unregulated child care. This is unfair to today’s generation of parents, especially Millennial and Gen Z parents, who need and deserve the relief of $10-a-day child care. We are working with provinces and territories to build more spaces across the country, so that more families can access affordable child care and save thousands of dollars every year.” – The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance 

“Every family should have access to high-quality, inclusive child care. More child care spaces mean more high-quality spots for kids, and more relief for parents as they access affordable child care. The Government of Canada remains committed to working with Newfoundland and Labrador so children in Canada have the best possible start in life. The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund will help child care providers across the province so they can continue to provide access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care to underserved communities.” – The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“We look after each other around here. More child care spaces means more support for young families. And that’s good for us all.” – The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Seniors

“Whether parents work in an office or on a shop floor, in Labrador City, St. Anthony, or St. John’s, everyone deserves access to reliable child care. With this continued investment today, we are helping Newfoundland and Labrador build more daycare spaces so families have child care they can rely on, no matter where they live.” – The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development

“Newfoundland and Labrador has made child care more affordable for families throughout the province. With over 9,100 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less and an additional 2,200 spaces in development, there is no doubt that momentum is building to ensure that all families in the province have access to the early learning and child care that they need. The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund is a welcome addition to further enhance the resources and supports available to child care providers as they grow their services.” – The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Education

Quick facts

As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of more than $27 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners. 

Combined with investments since 2016, including investments in Indigenous early learning and child care, the federal government has announced investments of nearly $40 billion in early learning and child care.

To date, eight provinces and territories are delivering regulated child care for an average of $10-a-day or less, including Quebec and the Yukon, which achieved this prior to the Canada-wide system. In all other provinces and territories, fees for regulated child care have been reduced by at least 50% on average. Provinces and territories are working toward lowering fees for regulated child care to $10-a-day on average by March 2026.

• Canada-wide early learning and child care is saving families, per child, up to $6,000 in Nova Scotia, $13,700 a year in Alberta, $8,500 in Ontario, $6,900 in Saskatchewan, $6,600 in British Columbia, $6,300 in Newfoundland and Labrador, $4,170 in Prince Edward Island, $3,600 in New Brunswick, $2,610 in Manitoba, $7,300 in the Yukon, $9,120 in the Northwest Territories, and $14,300 in Nunavut.

As part of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system, the Government of Canada is working with provinces and territories to create 250,000 new child care spaces across the country by March 2026 to increase access to affordable child care options for families, no matter where they live.

• To support this goal, the federal government previously announced the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund . The Fund provides an additional $625 million to provinces and territories to support infrastructure projects for not-for-profit child care spaces in underserved communities, such as rural and remote regions, high-cost and low-income urban neighbourhoods, and communities that face barriers to access, including racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, official language minority communities, newcomers, as well as parents, caregivers, and children with disabilities.
• To further accelerate progress, Budget 2024 announced a new $1 billion Child Care Expansion Loan Program, to help public and not-for-profit child care providers to build more child care spaces and renovate their existing child care centres.

To give every child the best start in life, the federal government is also:

• Giving families more money through the Canada Child Benefit to help with the costs of raising their children and to make a real difference in the lives of children in Canada. The Canada Child Benefit, which provides up to $7,437 per child per year, is indexed annually to keep up with the cost of living and has helped lift half a million children out of poverty since its launch in 2016.
• Improving access to dental health care for children under the age of 12 through the Canada Dental Benefit, and soon for children under 18 with the Canadian Dental Care Plan, because no one should have to choose between taking care of their kids’ teeth and putting food on the table.
• Creating a National School Food Program to ensure that every child has the best start in life, with the food they need to learn and grow, no matter their circumstances.
• Supporting after-school learning with an investment of $67.5 million to help all Canadian students reach their full potential. After-school learning and supports play an important role in helping students succeed in their academic pursuits, especially for at-risk students.

Associated links

• Toward $10-a-Day: Early Learning and Child Care
• Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care
• Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework

For media enquiries, please contact:

Geneviève Lemaire Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development [email protected]     

Media Relations Office Employment and Social Development Canada 819-994-5559 [email protected]

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