Although the university, located in Kingston, Ont., Refused to release to the public the names of all individuals and groups who participated in the review process that ended in mid -March, the CBC found that Ardoch Algonquin First Nation belongs to the group. consulted, despite its involvement in a controversy.

The issue went to the head in June 2021, after an anonymous whistleblower claimed that six people affiliated with Queen’s University had made deceptive or false statements about their Indigenous identity.

Three of the people named in the information are Algonquins members of the Ardoch First Nation, a non -status community in eastern Ontario.

Queen’s University initially defended these people, but later changed its position after nearly 100 North American Indigenous scholars and leaders signed a letter asking to take the allegations seriously. .

The letter specifically asked Queen’s University to reject the Ardoch First Nation, but the Ardoch First Nation appears to have been the main representative of the Anishinabe group in subsequent consultations with autochthony dialogues.

They are not recognized by the Anishinaabe Nationsaid Veldon Coburn, a professor of Indigenous studies and political science at the University of Ottawa, who strongly criticized Ardoch’s legitimacy.

[Ardoch] emerged from a group of settlers and non-Anishinabe […] This is not historical. It is a contemporary society. It’s not just Algonquinadded Mr. Coburn.

Unrecognized community

Ardoch is not a recognized federal community or First Nation. The Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation Tribal Council does not consider Ardoch as an Anishinaabe Nation, nor do the Algonquins of Ontario-which includes 10 status and non-status Anishinaabe communities.

Mr. Coburn, who himself is a graduate of Queen’s University, said he was disappointed that the institution had not made further attempts to contact Anishinaabe First Nations.

Another Concordia University scholar said the appointment of a self-review panel was possibly problematic.

This lack of transparency can perpetuate the belief that there is a conflict of interestsays Moshe Lander, an economics lecturer who specializes in management policy.

” Why can’t you tell us who is on this committee, or who guides some of the decisions? “

As part of the review process, Queen’s University conducted at least 17 sessions together and 13 sessions individual until March 18.

However, the university declined to disclose which groups were involved in hosting each of the meetings, citing reasons for confidentiality.

According to its website, they are members of the Akwesasne Mohawk School Board, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Katarowki Grandmother’s CouncilAlderville First Nation, Tungasuvvingat Inuit, atIndigenous Women’s Association of Ontario.

In a statement to the CBC, Queen’s University said it was satisfied with the review process, and said the results would be released in May.

We are aware of the concerns associated with Ardoch and those associated with this communitythe university added in the statement.

Meanwhile, five out of six people accused of misrepresenting indigenous identity remain in their posts at the institution.

Lack of transparency and security

In recent years, the question of who qualifies as Indigenous, and is therefore eligible for particular jobs and grants, has become a hot topic in academia.

Although Queen’s University has posted public updates on its website about the dialogue sessions that took place, few details have been provided on how it was conducted, or what emerged from them. .

Janice Hill, Associate Vice-Principal of Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation at Queen’s University, said turnout for dialogue sessions on the topic was low in March.

” The accessibility of the sessions, personal connections to the issues discussed, and feelings of safety or insecurity are reasons why other Aboriginal members may be reluctant to participate. “

Regarding the university’s initial response to the allegations, Ms Hill added: I believe our initial instinct for protection has begun, and it is about protecting unknown defendants..

However, he mentioned the potential consequences if people were proven to have made false allegations, which would go from dismissal to change of assignment at the university, for those who do not meet the new requirements set by [l’Université] to the Queen.

Most of those involved are still teaching

Amid the controversy, Queen’s University ended its relationship with a former partner.

Morris Blanchard, who also called himself Onagottaylost his status as a popular entertainer on campus, after his own family disputed his claims he was a victim of the 1960s Scoop.

Other people involved remain active at the university level.

Robert Lovelace – one of the scholars whose Indigenous identity has undergone intense scrutiny – remains on the faculty roster permanent auxiliary at Queen’s University. He helped found the Ardoch Nation, founded in 1921, and he was one of the founders of the university’s Native Studies department.

This year he teaches a course called Indigenous theory. According to the description available online, students can expect to study definition of indigenous identity and the process of re -instinct.

Ardoch’s council declined to comment on the case, but said in June that its history is well documented in colonial records and in oral tradition.

Based on text by Michelle Allan of CBC