Author Archives: Maxim Fishman

Module 2 – Post 5 – 21st Century Challenges

Once of the most critical aspects of cultural preservation is the need to preserve the memories, language, philosophy, and artistic heritage of a people. Wilma Mankiller is a leading exponent of the importance of overcoming these challenges in the 21st century to ensure that Indigenous culture does not disappear from the world in the face of aggressive Western media and social conformity. Underlining this speech is the idea that Indigenous peoples need to assert their rights to both land, culture, and political sovereignty.

http://vimeo.com/25331850

Module 2 – Post 4 – Aboriginal Portrayal in Media

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The docudrama Nanook of the North shows clearly the stereotype of the simple, noble savage that has been popularized in western culture. That film was shot in 1922, but have societies changed their view much since then? Of course we would like to think so, but is that true? In a study of the portrayal of Aboriginal peoples in film and television, the media literacy charity Media Smarts conducted a study of this subject to see how much depictions have changed over the years. The most common problems uncovered can be best classified as mis-representation. They usually are: Romanticization, Historical Inaccuracies, Stereotyping by Omission, and Simplistic Characterizations. These flaws in the depictions of Indigenous peoples have the affect of skewing the portrayal of these groups in an manner which does not dispel myths and stereotypes but may actually increase them by providing confusing and improperly researched information to audiences. This article is very good at identifying the most significant issues on this subject.

http://mediasmarts.ca/diversity-media/aboriginal-people/common-portrayals-aboriginal-people

Module 2 – Post 3 – Preservation of Language

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One of the hallmarks of a distinct culture is its distinct language. Indigenous peoples of North America have struggled to preserve their language in the face of strong western influences and the legacy of colonialism. Speakers of traditional languages become fewer and fewer with each passing year. Groups such as the Indigenous Languages Institute are working to try to restore the role that these languages have in Indigenous culture in the preservation of unique cultural practices and history. Whats interesting about the approach taken by this group is that they embrace traditional learning methods of teaching as well a computer based/seminar education in order to help a wider range of students rediscover the language. Interestingly, this approach exposes people outside of Indigenous groups to these languages who do not have the same attachement to Place as a Aboriginal learner would. The goal is to make the language relevant to all people by increasing awareness to the languages vibrant nature as well as its deep historic traditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzOkn0PRxNM

Module 2 – Post 2 – Protecting Indigenous Knowledge

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On the wider discussion of what is Indigenous knowledge and why it requires protection is a difficult subject for those without extensive experience within the subject. A very interesting guide was created in 2001 by the Canadian department of Indian Affairs and North Development which seeks to explain in a wider context what is this knowledge, what sets it apart from Western knowledge, why it needs protection, and what can be done. This document is in part a workbook that allows the participant to engage in reflection and exercises that may assist in coming to better terms with the subject. The workbook components also provie the reader with tools to help preserve and promote Indigenous knowledge while being able to spot abuses of this knowledge. A good primer to be used in collaboration with other sources.

http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/R2-160-2001E.pdf

Module 2 – Post 1 – Understanding Storytelling

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Storytelling is a central component to Indigenous culture and the spreading of Indigenous knowledge. The methods by which storytelling can be used as a tool within the classroom is a challenge that educators have embraced. Indigenous communities have traditional used storytelling as a means of contextualizing traditional knowledge. The Aboriginal Education Research Network in Saskatchewan comissioned a facinating study in regards to the use of storytelling as an education tool and how it is used by Aboriginal communities in the transmition of knowledge and how its benefits can be realized within education as a whole. A very insightful document for those who are looking to understand the function of storytelling as a practice.

http://www.education.gov.sk.ca/storytelling

Connecting Statement – eLearning and Traditional Indigenous Health Literacy

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Due to systemic neglect and forced efforts at assimilation, the disparities between the health status of the indigenous and non-indigenous population are significant with poorer health outcomes for Indigenous peoples. One of the key obstacles in achieving good outcomes in health care is the health literacy of the individual. Indigenous peoples, with their background of residential schools and exposure to racism have had difficulty in utilizing Western models of health literacy. Our Western definition of health literacy is the ability to read, understand, and use healthcare information to make decisions and follow instructions for treatment. The Indigenous learner, health literacy is defined as being aware of one`s own emotional health and in addressing one`s emotional needs one heals the body. A learner who uses this emotional knowledge model is frequently at a disadvantage in a health care system that is not sensitive to this reality due to a lack of educational resources. The goal of this research project is to create an online eLearning course that will educate and engage the user in the most common issues regarding indigenous health care and what be done at a local level to improve them. This eLearning module will seek to demonstrate unique Indigenous perspectives in the transmission of knowledge regarding emotional health literacy. By using eLearning courseware, this project will serve as a means by which contemporary learning technology can be used as an educational tool for traditional Indigenous practices.

Module 1 – Post 5 – The Altai and the Land

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A vivid examination of the importance of the local Indigenous connection with the land can be seen in the following video:

http://vimeo.com/7111821

The focus in the video is of the Altai people in central Russian and how they are seeking to rebuild their connection with their knowledge and customs that have suffered due systematic neglect and Russian colonization. This short documentary focuses on the environmental knowledge of the Altai, yet one of the most striking aspects of this piece is that it shows how differing types of knowledge is transmitted between members of the community as well as the profound connection that the speakers have to the place they live in. What is inspiring about this video is that it also represents a restoration of traditional knowledge and practice.

This film, sponsored by United Nations Diversity Project is a very effective reference tool in understanding the universal challenges confronting First Nations peoples globally and their struggle to reclaim their ancient heritage and traditions.

Module 1 – Post 4 – Approaches to Healing

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On the journey to understanding the idea of Indigenous knowledge and how it pertains to interaction with technology, I repeatedly came across the term of ‘Traditional Knowledge’. In order to understand this term better, I found a fascinating paper from the International Indigenous Policy Journal that examined Traditional Knowledge, Spirituality, and Lands. It can be accessed here:

http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1042&context=iipj

What’s very interesting about the article is that it explores the means through which knowledge is transmitted throughout Indigenous communities with a strong emphasis on health care. Due to the severe disparities in health care outcomes between Aboriginal and non-aboriginal peoples, the means through which to improve this lies in understanding the proper role and historical context of traditional healing in Indigenous society. This information could be useful as a foundation for the development of curriculum regarding Indigenous health care issues and their possible solutions.

Module 1 – Post 3 – Google Earth and Indigenous Communities

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In our Hare reading, emphasis is placed on the ‘local’ in Indigenous knowledge. However for many of us, who are not of this background, it may be difficult to understand the importance of what “place” actually represents. This prevents us from a more complete understanding of the Indigenous perspective. In aid of this and by utilizing online technology available, a group from Georgia(USA) is using Google Earth and multimedia to demonstrate the geography of the Cherokee. You can view the project here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6IJrxz–AA&list=PLWw80tqUZ5J8tXKFdM6vvTYMK9ibmCQ9Y

This project focuses on revealing the very importance of the landscape itself as central to the Cherokee culture. What’s interesting about this is how useful a publicly available tool such as Google Earth is in providing content to what the relationship that and Indigenous community would have to the land and actual locations. Using a tool such as this, one can show, for example, sacred places, deposits of medicinal herbs, as well as animal migration routes. For those among us who live in larger cities, such a guide is invaluable in providing context.

(note: I am not a fan on the banjo music they play in the clip and have tried hard to not listen to it while appreciating the rest of their work.)

Module 1 – Post 2 – The Importance of “Place”

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One very interesting subject to consider is that of Indigenous science in education and how it differs from more Western educational perspectives. This paper on the role of ‘Place’ in the treatment of Indigenous science is an effective document that outlines the challenges and effective strategies in developing curriculum on this subject.

http://aerc.usask.ca/downloads/Learning%20Indigenous%20Science%20From%20Place.pdf

This information contained within allows one to consider the variety of issues regarding Indigenous science and how it affects perspective. The article seeks to dispel some of the myths surrounding what Indigenous science is and how it differs from Western scientific practice. A very good primer for anyone who wants to understand the basics of this fascinating area of study.

Although the focus of this article is on Saskatchewan First Nations and Métis Communities, it has tremendous relevance to any comprehensive understanding of the Indigenous perspective.