Metis Experience Could Help Indigenous Japanese

Metis Experience Could Help Indigenous Japanese

Friday, September 18, 2009 at 13:04

 

 

A researcher and professor from Japan says studying Métis culture could help him initiate change in his country.

 

Dr. Shunwa Honda has been at the First Nations University of Canada to research strategies the Métis used to be recognized by the federal government.

 

He wants to take this information back to the Ainu people of Japan.

 

The Ainu are an indigenous people who are not recognized by the Japanese government.

 

Honda says his research could help the Ainu people be recognized.

 

“Maybe some of the Metis strategy could be used to assist the Ainu. I do not use the Metis as a model, but look for similarities that can be strategically used,” Honda says.

 

He says both the Metis and the Ainu have been subjected to coercive assimilation policies in their respective countries.

 

Dr. Honda says he hopes his research will raise awareness about the Ainu.