Wayne Garnons-Williams the Chief Executive Officer of The National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada presented a guest lecture at the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Law Indigenous Law and Rights Conference.
June 6, 2025 Akwesasne, Ontario
This May, Wayne Garnons-Williams, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation, was honoured to participate in the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Law Indigenous Law and Rights Conference. His contribution marked a powerful and timely intervention in the ongoing discourse around Indigenous rights, international law, and the historical injustices that continue to reverberate through generations.
On Day 1, Wayne presented a compelling guest lecture to students and faculty at UVic Law on the history, policy, and law surrounding the Sixties Scoop—a devastating era during which Indigenous babies and children were forcibly removed from their families and communities in Canada. He traced the enduring intergenerational trauma caused by these state-led policies and the international human rights violations they represent.
“A huge thank you to my host, Dr. Patricia Cochran, Associate Dean, Administration and Research, Faculty of Law, University of Victoria, for arranging the guest lecture and subsequent discussions on this international human rights abuse,” Wayne shared.
The lecture sparked critical conversations among faculty and students, bringing awareness to the lived experiences of Sixties Scoop Survivors and reaffirming the importance of Indigenous-led education, justice, and healing.
Day 2 expanded the circle of dialogue internationally, highlighting Antipodean Indigenous legal traditions. Participants heard from Dr. Robert Joseph, professor of law at the University of Waikato in Aotearoa (New Zealand), who illuminated the legal structures of the Māori and their intricate relationships with the British Crown, inter-tribal governance, and international frameworks.
Day 3 explored Asia-Pacific Indigenous rights, with a spotlight on the Ainu people of Japan. Attendees were deeply moved by the visit from the Ainu delegation, including Ichikawa Kaito, Saginaw Hiromasa, and Kajikawa Hiroki of the Raporo Ainu Nation. They shared the continued struggle for recognition of their inherent rights and sovereignty. The session concluded with a traditional Ainu katana dance, symbolizing cultural pride and resilience.
This multi-day conference powerfully reflected the spirit of international Indigenous solidarity, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy for justice. As Wayne noted, these opportunities to speak and listen across cultures are not just academic—they are necessary acts of reconciliation, remembrance, and resurgence.
The final session focused on Indigenous sovereignty in Taiwan, led by Professor Awi Mona of National Dong Hwa University and Jack Hua, Chair of the Splendid Group of Taiwan. Their presentations offered profound insight into Indigenous Taiwanese identity, nationhood, and the challenges of balancing cultural preservation with economic development. Special thanks were extended to Lishsin Angel Liu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, and Deputy Director Jenny Tzeng, for sponsoring the discussions.
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The National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of Canada is proud to participate in and support initiatives that honour First Voice leadership and elevate the experiences and rights of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island and around the world.
#SixtiesScoopHealing #IndigenousRights #UVicLaw #ReconciliationInAction #InternationalSolidarity