RECN ōtēnīkān wiyascikeyin Research Group

How we came to be

ōtēnīkān wiyascikeyin ᐅᑌᓂᑲᐢ ᐤᐃᔭᐢᒋᑫᔨᐢ is a Cree word that was given to us to name our Nation Rebuilding program by Elder Mabel Head from Red Earth Cree Nation (RECN). This is a Cree word that means a group of relatives will put onto paper, plans for the future generations. It’s a verb, signifying the action-oriented nature of Cree knowledge. Each Cree community describe who they are in relation to the land itself and in the Red Earth Cree Nation, Cree translation: Mihkoskiwakak Nēhiyawak ᒥᐦᑯᐢᑭᐤᐊᐦᑲᐠ ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤᐊᐠ. Here in we will use the terms, Red Earth Cree Nation, Mihkoskiwakak Nehiyawak and RECN interchangeably to discuss the community and proposal of the Red Earth Cree Nation.

Our Work

RECN ōtēnīkān wiyascikeyin Research Group is a tribute to the work of RECN to conducts community consultations. It is our idea that to accomplish Nation Rebuilding a space is needed to establish a way for RECN to document, distribute, and archive community consultation on governance structure and policy.

The RECN Circle of Indigenous Knowledge (“RECN Circle”) is a proposed solution to allow succession of information to various leadership, the information shared in community consultations, discussions and the documentation of Indigenous knowledges regarding RECN history, and policy development of RECN. Relating to the previous funding asks, this will enable a process to help RECN formally recognize a partnership framework to take on more responsibility, department by department, and allow for a gradual transition to self-determination and eventually self-governance. Ethical sharing of knowledges that are culturally significant and incorporate partnerships aimed at the skill development and archiving research is needed. A shared sense of purpose derived from Cree Laws and land stewardship in documenting governance discussions will give a clearer understanding and agreement on priorities for action and responses to issues. In turn a stronger voice in shaping RECN laws, policies and programs require a phased-in process to establish a recognized Centre for RECN Indigenous Knowledge.