Toronto _ The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) and APTN are happy to announce the selection of Archipel Research and Consulting Inc., to lead the Indigenous identity and eligibility consultation process.
Archipel is an Indigenous-owned and women-led company with a diverse team of experts. Archipel is led by CEO Sabre Pictou Lee, who is Mi’kmaq from Eel River Bar First Nation in northern New Brunswick. Sabre is an experienced Indigenous liaison and researcher. She has worked in Indigenous-related research, program development, facilitation, and policy development and analysis.
Pictou Lee will co-lead the consultation process with Monique Manatch (Algonquins of Barriere Lake), knowledge keeper and digital media specialist. Archipel’s multilingual team also includes Aliqa Illauq (from Kangiqtugaapik, Nunavut) and Jeremy Speller (Mi’gmaq from Gespe’gewa’gi), as well as other First Nations, Inuit, and Métis consultants and researchers.
“Their application spoke to everything we wanted to see. In their company and their roster of facilitators they have Inuit, Métis and First Nations representation, as well as Francophone facilitators” said Jesse Wente, Executive Director of ISO.
“Archipel emerged as the best candidate for this work and we are looking forward to collaborating with them,” said Monika Ille, CEO of APTN.
The next steps will be rolled out over the next several months and will include one-on-one interviews with Elders, organizational stakeholders, and leaders with knowledge and expertise in implementing strategies related to Indigenous identity, followed by a broader community consultation process. Upcoming research steps will also include an environmental scan that summarizes relevant press and academic literature on the topic, as well as examples of existing funding eligibility practices.
“When this process is finished, we will have a report providing context on the issue and recommendations for ISO’s eligibility criteria for funding. This will also support other organizations providing Indigenous programs and initiatives,” said Wente.
“We are honoured to have been selected to facilitate this important process. It is essential we conduct these conversations about ISO program eligibility criteria with the utmost respect for the great diversity of Indigenous worldviews and community practices” said project co-lead Manatch.