On Nov. 5, The Matriarchs, Clan Mothers, Aunties, and Allies group held a demonstration at the University of Saskatchewan to bring attention to Indigenous identity fraud and call on the U of S to investigate fraud, examine remedies and make reparations.

Over 100 students, staff, faculty and members of the Indigenous community gathered outside the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre for the peaceful demonstration. The gathering came in response to the recent CBC investigation of Carrie Bourassa, U of S professor and scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health, which called into question her claims of Indigeneity. Bourassa was recently put on leave from both the U of S and CIHR.

Marilyn Poitras, U of S Indigenous Law Centre director and one of the speakers at the event, demanded reconciliation in reclamation. 

“We want to reclaim land. We want to reclaim children. We want to reclaim women’s voices. And now, we’re here to reclaim our identities. We want to stop the extraction of everything we have,” Poitras said. 

“Our hope has to remain.”

Winona Wheeler, a U of S Indigenous studies professor, was one of the speakers and one of the people who investigated Bourassa’s lineage. At the event, she recognized how far the university has come since she first joined as faculty in 1989, but called on the university to act on its promise of reconciliation.

“Know that we are watching, know that you can’t sneak anything by us anymore. Be honest and open because reconciliation is not about putting bright orange lights all over buildings,” Wheeler said. 

“True indigenization, true decolonization, means changing the system and structures that we are mandating you to do today.”

Bourassa has denied all allegations against her identity in a public statement on Oct. 27, maintaining her claims to Indigeneity through her adoption by a Métis man, but has provided no proof of Indigenous ancestry thus far.

Several students attended the demonstration. Layton Willick, a third-year student and SUNTEP Student Representative Council president, called on the university to address and resolve the issue.

“It’s just really unfortunate because it reflects poorly upon the university,” Willick said. “How can the university not have to do something about it? They are responsible because they’re the one that hired her in the first place.”

Michael Trottier, another third-year SUNTEP student, says he has attended speeches and displays held at the university in honour of truth and reconciliation in recent months. He says Bourassa’s situation feels like the university administration just went back on their word regarding truth and reconciliation. 

“Especially since it’s coming after our first [National Day for Truth and Reconciliation], it’s just disturbing,” Trottier said. 

Wheeler and other speakers at the demonstration demanded the university involve Indigenous people and policies in conducting reviews of Indigenous identity fraud, reminding  the university that self-identification is not enough. 

“Our message to the university today is [that] you’ve got at least 40 Indigenous faculty on this campus that you can consult with, that you can talk to, that you can learn from,” Wheeler said. 

“Don’t talk down to us on our own territory. This land knows us. This land speaks to us. Our ancestors’ bones are here. We are from here. Treat our people with respect. Learn who we are.”

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Wardah Anwar

Photos: Aleshba Naseer/Photo Editor