Tag Archives: Elders

5 Helpful links-Indigenous Ways of Knowing

I hope you find some of these links useful as you take your journey.

Cyber-Traveler’s Reflections (Module 1)

http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/woodland-art-symbolism.html

The Meaning of the Woodland Art Symbolism. When Norval Morrisseau first began painting, his intention was to re-introduce the Anishnaabe world view into the contemporary consciousness. The Ojibwa culture had been all but obliterated by the imposition of external governance and the influence of Christian churches. Morrisseau painted the spiritual reality that had been the foundation of Ojibwa life for thousands of years. Raised by his shaman grandfather, Norval was familiar with the symbols used on the midewiwin birchbark scrolls.

http://archive.millelacsband.com/Page_culture.aspx?id=125

An elder of the Mille Lac Band of Ojibwe Reservation writes about the culture and traditions surrounding death and funerals.  He writes from his own experiences.

http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/alanis-obomsawin-tells-the-legend-of-nanabozho

A radio story found in CBC digital archives.  “The Legend of Nanabohzo”  is the story of Nokomis, her daughter Winona, and Winona’s son Nanabozho. It’s one of thousands of legends Canada’s aboriginals have passed down the generations to tell stories about tribal ancestors and to teach children how to behave. Storyteller Alanis Obamsawin relates the Ojibwa legend for CBC Radio.

http://www.nosm.ca/communities/aboriginal_affairs/general.aspx?id=4102

On this website The Northern Ontario School of Medicine explains how the medical school engages and works with Indigenous Elders.  For NOSM Indigenous students, the presence and work of Elders can be a key factor which contributes to student success.

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/plants-native-uses/

This article outlines the many uses of plants to the Indigenous Peoples. These include food, medicine, utility and spiritual.

Native Art in Canada: An Ojibway Elder’s Art and Stories

Native Art in Canada: An Ojibway Elder’s Art and Stories

A website that deals with many facets of Ojibway life including art.  There are sections on the Woodland School and a page devoted to Morrisseau’s life and influence on Ojibway art.  The information is presented in a story teller style which may be of interest to classroom teachers as a resource.

http://www.native-art-in-canada.com/

Module 3 post 3

Module 4.5 Four Directions Teachings

This is an interactive website which includes five First Nations across Canada:  Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk and Mi’kmaq.  You are able to listen to elders or traditional teachers as they share stories from their perspective about their cultural traditions and values.  I really liked that downloadable transcripts are available for teachers and students as well as a teacher’s resource guide full of activities, photographs and audio narrations.  A valuable, user-friendly resource for teachers and students!

http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/transcripts.html

Module 4.2 Indigenous Science Education

This video highlights the Indigenous Science Education Program put together by Macquarie University.  The goal is to engage Indigenous students through science by providing positive role models.  The program is part of the science curriculum at Maclean High School.  The program was started at the request of local elders as they were noticing an increase in high school drop-outs by grade 12.  Uncle Ron (an elder in the program) comments, “There was an outcry from a lot of the Aboriginal people. They weren’t getting a fair go at school. The white system was only meant for all the white people so we decided to do a system that was meant for both you know?” The program recognizes and respects Indigenous culture.  Andrew Ford, a science teacher in the program mentions how the elders are the driving force and that the elders give a lot of the verbal knowledge while he gives that scientific back up.  He also states: “but the elders basically drive what we do out here on the field. This is their country, this is their knowledge”.

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3576726.htm

Module 2-Post 4: Medicines to Help Us by Christi Belcourt

While researching Nancy Turner and Christi Belcourt’s works, I stumbled upon a book with a title called Medicines to Help Us by Christi:

“Christi Belcourt fuses her evocative artwork with Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and Western Science. With contributions from Métis Elders Rose Richardson and Olive Whitford, as well as key Michif phrases and terminology, Medicines to Help Us is the most accessible resource relating to Métis healing traditions produced to date.”

See here: https://gdins.org/product/medicines-to-help-us-book-only/. I guess I would need a hard copy here.

Module 2.5 Path of the Elders

Path of the Elders is a a free, online educational resource that explores Cree and Ojibway history and culture, in particular the signing of Treaty no. 9.  Not only is it a game for youth to celebrate and explore their culture, but it is also an amazing resource with archives of historical and cultural materials from photos, historic audio recordings, and video interviews with Elders.
One example of a resource from this game is a section where one can compare the experience of watching the media coverage to watching the Elders’ videos on Path of the Elders.