Quechua People, their Indigenous Identities and their Potential Collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples

Abstract

This study examined the relationship that Quechua immigrants living in Tkaronto, Ontario, have with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The objectives were twofold: to explore the engagement of Quechua people with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Nations; and to examine how the Indigeneity of Quechua people can help them engage in collaboration. Indigenous Quechua immigrants are Indigenous Peoples who are originally from Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and, to a lesser degree, Colombia and Argentina. I interviewed Quechua people as part of my research. I also interviewed one Kishwa immigrant: Kishwa people are Indigenous Peoples who originally shared roots with Quechua people from Ecuador. In this dissertation, the participants and I took a reflective stance to consider what it means for Quechua people to settle in these lands and, from these positionalities, explore forms of collaboration that might be more suitable for Quechua people. The results of the research indicate that we need to address the oppression perpetuated by social structures as well as discrimination at the individual level that Indigenous immigrants experience. In this case, white allies need to address these forms of discrimination towards Indigenous immigrants. I contend that if the oppression of racialized people, such as Indigenous people from other lands, is not addressed, it is difficult for them to cope even when they are also complicit in settler colonialism. Racialized immigrants’ oppression must be addressed while they also take on their responsibilities to collaborate. Any decolonization moves must be led by First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, and ideally coordinated with other racialized and white ally settlers.