MISS FAITH DECONTIE

Biography

Professional Background 

Faith Decontie is First Nations Canadian. She has spent the past several years working with First Nations communities, in the Canadian Public Service and with Canadian National Indigenous Organizations.

Academic Background 

Faith is currently completing a PhD programme in Anthropology. Her research is focused on Indigenising policy practices in the colonial Canadian settler state. Her dissertation reflects the importance of combining current on-going colonial systematic governing processes with First Nations community-based policy practices.

Prizes and Awards

Tammy Chen Memorial Scholarship 2022 – 2023, The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund; 

Tammy Chen Memorial Scholarship 2023 - 2024, The Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund;

Research Overview

Indigenising (Indigenizing, Canadian spelling) policy practices is a concept that has emerged because of Indigenous people working with the Canadian colonial settler systems to ensure equitable advancement of Indigenous communities.

The focus on Indigenising policy practices means to integrate First Peoples’ (First Nations and Inuit) ancestral protocols with current settler governing practices in order to address current needs and understand the realities of First Nations living on-reserve (or Inuit among their communities).

The research I will be conducting will focus on 'Indigenous game changers' specifically, First Nations (status Indians) that are directly shifting systematic approaches through policy development to improve accessibility of services for their reserves and people.