Though philanthropy and traditions of community caring and sharing long-predate European arrival in North America, the first record of an act of philanthropy in what was to become Canada occurred in the winter of 1535-36. Cartier and his men, so sick that they did not have the strength to bury their own dead, received a gift of medicine from the women of a local Indigenous community referred to as Stradacona near the site of current day Quebec City. At first, sure that it was poison, the men refused to drink the bark tea. However once one of the men did try it and subsequently recovered, the rest madly consumed it, recovering from what was most likely scurvy. There is no record that this was done for any sort of exchange. It was a gift of kindness; an act of philanthropy. Subsequently the crew discovered the medicine tree “as big as any Oake in France [which the crew] spoiled and lopped bare, and occupied all in five or sixe daies” to secure a future source of medicine for themselves, while destroying the source of the gift. [Jacques Cartier, Voyages de découverte au Canada, ed. René Maran, Paris, Éditions Anthropos, 1968, éd. Originale 1843). Translation: The Cure for Scurvy in the Account of Jacques Cartier’s Second Voyage (1535-36) (Ch. 15, 16, 17 in the French account: 13, 14 in the English version)]
The Circle which seeks to transform philanthropy and contribute to positive change with Indigenous communities by creating spaces of learning, innovation, relationship-building, co-creation and activation
Thus begins a complex history of philanthropy in relation to Indigenous peoples in Canada and provides the context for the work of The Circle which seeks to transform philanthropy and contribute to positive change with Indigenous communities by creating spaces of learning, innovation, relationship-building, co-creation and activation. As is outlined in the recent report, Measuring the Circle 2017 Emerging Trends in Philanthropy for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Communities in Canada: A Focus on Manitoba, a great deal of good has occurred in the last 30-40 years. Indigenous “charities” and donors are on the rise and networks are growing to address fundamental social, health and cultural issues. However, it is important for the sector to appreciate that most of the charitable history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada breaks the cardinal rule of charitable work: “Do no harm.”
What harm has been done? There have been many, but for this brief piece we will highlight three examples. First, for much of Canadian history, structures of community caring and sharing which created resilience in First Nations, Inuit and Métis nations have been banned and outlawed. Secondly, despite clearly laid out Treat Agreements to which we are all signatories, Canadians have consistently failed to live up to the promises of equal treatment. The most recent example of which would be the successful 2016 case brought forward by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, which found that the Federal government discriminates against 163,000 First Nations children on the grounds of race and national and ethnic origin. (The Tribunal issued a second order to the Canadian government in April 2016. There has been no indication of action at this time.)
Needless to say, charitable work in conjunction with Indigenous communities cannot make up for inequities in education, health, social services, housing, infrastructure investments. Finally, though government and churches were the main focus of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in relation to residential schools, there is no question that the philanthropic sector played a part in this work and contributed to other efforts such as the 60s Scoop, the systematic removal of children from Indigenous communities by social service organizations. To work in philanthropy with Indigenous peoples it is vital to understand these and other failures to which the sector has been a party.
There is much the rest of Canadian society can still learn from the medicines and teachings of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
The work that The Circle has carved out for itself is no less than the addressing of what is arguably the most significant social issue in Canada, through the rebuilding of systems of community caring, sharing and resilience. This effort is not about those who have, giving to those who don’t. There is much the rest of Canadian society can still learn from the medicines and teachings of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. (To give a simple example of this, the important job of elders to be teachers and mentors is essential to healthy community. We lost this somewhere along the way with the segregation and institutionalization of seniors.) Rebuilding will take time, patience, and understanding of history, difficult conversations and most importantly, trust.
Please visit The Circle for resources and learning opportunities including The Philanthropic Sector’s Declaration of Action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In a circle there is always room for more.
