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Indigenous Voices Highlighted in Constitution Express Talk

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The Victoria Historical Society is hosting a significant event that aims to amplify Indigenous voices in discussions surrounding the Constitution. On October 23, 2023, Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams, a prominent figure in Indigenous education and advocacy, will deliver a talk at James Bay New Horizons, located at 234 Menzies St. Williams will focus on the historical initiative known as the Constitution Express, which emerged in response to the exclusion of Indigenous leaders from the constitutional repatriation talks led by then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in 1980.

Historical Context of the Constitution Express

The Constitution Express was an Indigenous-led movement aimed at ensuring that the voices of Indigenous peoples were integral to the constitutional process. During the late 1970s, as Canada sought to repatriate its Constitution from Great Britain, Indigenous leaders were largely sidelined. In a powerful response, the Constitution Express saw two passenger trains transport Indigenous activists to Ottawa, enabling them to advocate for meaningful participation in shaping policies that profoundly affected their communities.

Williams, who was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2020, played a vital role in these efforts. She is a professor emeritus of Indigenous education, curriculum, and instruction at the University of Victoria, where she has significantly contributed to Indigenous language revitalization and education. Williams led the development of both bachelor’s and master’s degrees focused on Indigenous language and initiated a mandatory Indigenous education course for all teacher education students in British Columbia.

Event Details and Significance

The upcoming talk at James Bay New Horizons will begin with an opportunity for coffee and conversation at 7:15 p.m., followed by Williams’ presentation at 7:30 p.m.. This event not only serves as a reflection on the past but also highlights the ongoing importance of Indigenous voices in Canada’s constitutional framework and education system.

Williams’ insights promise to provide a deeper understanding of how the Constitution Express was a pivotal moment in asserting Indigenous influence and ensuring that their perspectives are included in discussions that affect their rights and futures. This talk is particularly relevant as Canada continues to confront its historical injustices and seeks to build a more inclusive society.

Community members, educators, and those interested in Indigenous rights are encouraged to attend this important event, which seeks to foster awareness and dialogue around the vital role of Indigenous voices in shaping Canadian law and society.

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