MAC Masterclass: The politics of indigeneity with Bonnie Leask

 

Bonnie Leask presented the first Margaret Anstee Centre event of 2025 with a Masterclass held on 21 January, on the lives and rights of indigenous people in Canada, with experiences drawn from her own life and career.

 

Bonnie is a member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, which is signatory to Treaty 6. Treaty 6 in Canada was signed between the Crown and First Nations leadership to recognize and honour their role as First Peoples of Turtle Island.

 

When the country of Canada was founded in 1876, treaties such as Treaty 6 were signed between the Crown and many tribes of indigenous people. These treaties were intended to be fair and reciprocal agreements, honoured by traditional ceremony. The treaties remain enormously important to the indigenous people, who continue to fight for the treaties to be upheld. The Indian Act was also introduced at this time. It was next reformed in 1951 and has had various amendments since then.

 

Bonnie spoke about her life and career, the importance of family and community, access to education and political organisation. She highlighted key events and mechanisms which have impacted on the lives of indigenous groups in Canada in living history, such as the pass system, the terrible history of the Residential Schools, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 2015 and the shooting of Colten Boushie in 2016 and the impact of the subsequent trial of his killer.

 

Bonnie has worked in both the public service and private sector and has had first-hand experience working closely with those in government. The central/federal government in Canada has responsibility for indigenous people, however the provincial government has powers over key services such as education, this lack of coherence, coupled with lack of political will, has caused critical problems in access to education, and other rights, for indigenous people. She talked about her challenges working with and through these different sectors of government and institutions, how demands for recognition and restitution are curtailed, and the importance of grassroots leadership in sustaining demands and mobilising towards them. 

 

Bonnie drew parallels with the experience of indigenous people in Australia and New Zealand. The impact of the settlers and life post-contact and how communities are still learning to live together, seeking the truth from the past but also looking to the future. In Canada there are three groups, the Inuit people who live in the far north of the country, the First Nations and Métis. The link between the indigenous people and the Crown is of great importance and Bonnie spoke with optimism about this relationship and Charles III's commitment to the environment and interest in the land, which aligns with the priorities of the Cree Nation.

 

Bonnie brought an amazing perspective, rich with stories and insight. The event was very well attended and we are very grateful to her, Chris Pechawis and Ellen Quigley for joining us.

 

Masterclasses are a new initiative at the Margaret Anstee Centre seeking to bring practitioners, organisers, policy-makers in conversation with scholars, and in so doing, bridge the siloes of theory and practice.