FREE LECTURE: Forced Assimilation of Indigenous Peoples: Is reconciliation possible?.

Forced assimilation of Indigenous peoples: Is reconciliation possible?

Curtin University of Technology, The University of Western Australia and Bringing Them Home Committee (WA) have the pleasure of inviting you to a free public lecture by a delegation from the Assembly of First Nations, Canada.

Phil Fontaine National Chief, Assembly of First Nations

Mr Fontaine is Anishinabe from Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba and was first elected National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in 1997. He has played a central role in negotiating agreements and legislation on behalf on Canadian First Nations people with communities, industries and provincial and federal governments. He has been honoured with a number of prestigious awards including two honorary doctorates.

Charlene Belleau Director, Residential Schools Unit, Assembly of First Nations

Ms Charlene Belleau is a member of the Secwepemc Nation. She is centrally involved in the initiatives towards justice and healing for the Indigenous Canadians who were removed as children to Residential Schools. Ms Belleau also works with federal and provincial governments to establish a stronger role for traditional Aboriginal justice systems, aimed at overcoming violence and abuse within communities.

Kathleen Mahoney Chief Legal Advisor to the Assembly of First Nations

Professor Mahoney, a non-Indigenous Canadian, has published extensively on human rights, constitutional law and women’s rights, judicial education and the social context. She acted as chief legal advisor in the negotiations between the Canadian Government and the Assembly of First Nations to resolve the grievances of the Indigenous Canadians taken from their families and brought up in Residential Schools.