Out of all the stories I most enjoyed Andrea Bear Nicholas's story. Her material can be summed up with: "The writing of history is a political act designed for the purpose of controlling the present and maintaining the social order."-Michael Parenti.
All these hundreds of years false truths have been written about us and forced on us through the public school system. Its up to us, as parents to see that these falsehoods are removed from the curriculm.
My youngest daughter is in Grade 6 now, but when she was in Grade 4 she came home with some false information and she wouldn't answer her questions based on the information she was given because she knew it wasn't true. We wrote a note to her teacher and we were told this is the information he was given as part of the Grade 4 curriculm. So she just never answered those questions and received a poor mark for that particular assignment.My older daughter was in Grade 6 at the time and told her sister that by Grade 6 the information will be corrected. She has always been vocal, and she challenges the Principal to change these inaccuracies.I am so proud that my two daughters will not accept the false information they are given at school and will fight for it to be removed from their school.
This is just one example of what Andrea Bear Nicholas is saying in her work. This misinformation really does an injustice to our people. Non native people that are not in close contact with us, grow up believing this information leading to hatred and misunderstandings.It really is up to us to change the history books.
Another piece of work I enjoyed was by SophieMcCall. I loved reading about Rebecca Belmore. Rebecca Belmore makes it clear through her work that written accounts and audio and video recordings are not always reliable sources of information.They can be taken out of context and used to tell a warped version of events. T.V. media is a great example of this.T.V. pretty much controls waht we see and newspapers can misinterpret facts to use for their own interpretation. Just as the history books tell only one side of a story, media is capable of doing the same today. Rebecca reminds us to pay more credence to the Oral history passed on directly to us. Iwas reminded of this while doing my oral history project. By writing the stories of my interviewees, it is possible that I may have misinterpreted the meanings of some stories.If inforamtion is taken out of its true form, it is possible that the true meaning may be lost. I struggled with the interpretation of knowlege, however I knew that if I presented the interviews in their entirety, my presentation may have went on for hours.My interview with Lillian Marshall lasted all afternoon.In it were bits and pieces of other stories of interest to me but not necessarily on the topic I was discussing. I choose the information that I thought reflected my topic.However by editing my information I in fact put my own spin on things.But I guess thats the whole point: to take the facts presented to you and present them in a way unique only to you. And thats what Rebecca Belmore has done through her art. Not everyone will get the same end message.
The last story I enjoyed, came at the beginning of the book. The Preface by Stephen Augustine. He reminds us of the importance of collective knowledge that we all possess. That we all play a part in our history through every story we've ever been told.I find his discussion on the word egsoen very interesting. He says the word means liar and that the first three letters sounds like the letter X. At a certain time in history Mikmaq people used the letter x to sign treaties. In Mikmaq culture people signing with the letter x were liars. Interestingly enough we're still fighting over these treaties.When I first say the word egsoen, I immediately thought of the word Ego.Ego is not a word I would relate to my Mikmaq Identity however it goes hand in hand with the word liar.It also is a good word to use to describe the Europeans that we signed treaties with.
Sunday, 7 August 2011
Monday, 1 August 2011
Membertou First Nation Circle of Excellence
Membertou Band realized their people had no future to look forward to. They decided to get the books balanced and start looking for a management plan that would take them in the direction they wanted to go.They wanted to get away from the dependance on the Government.They developed their policies and got ISO certification,in doing so they were able to find business partners. Today they are a thriving community heading in the direction of Self Government. The fact that their Chief and Council has stayed pretty much the same these past several years makes it easy for the changes they made to stick.
Tsawwassen First Nation Law and Policy
This video was about the Tsawassen First Nation and their development of their own Constitution. First they developed a plan of action. This was the direction they want their community to take, how they would deal with problems,what role would the Federal Gov't play and membership policies. It was no easy undertaking and took a lot of collaberation and compromising. In they end they worked out a Constitution that seems to be working for them.
Governance and Cultural Match
How does a First Nation match governance with their culture and traditions?
Use culture and tradition as its guide. Structure governance to reflect who we are. The present system of Chief and Council was not our chosen form of governance it was forced on us. We need to explore traditional forms of governance and develop somethnig that is culturally true to our identity.
Use culture and tradition as its guide. Structure governance to reflect who we are. The present system of Chief and Council was not our chosen form of governance it was forced on us. We need to explore traditional forms of governance and develop somethnig that is culturally true to our identity.
Implementing Independant Governance
This video asked the question:How does a First Nation implement their right to self government?
First its important to recognize that all First Nations were independent soverign nations before the whiteman "honoured" us with his presence. We had a whole network set up: a spiritual system, a governing body and natural laws we followed. Every individual played a part. We need to go back to this system and combine it with the present day system and create something that will work for us. What works for one may not work for all. Each Band has different needs, access to different resources, and different perspectives of what self governmnet is. Its important to find what will be the right fit for every band.
First its important to recognize that all First Nations were independent soverign nations before the whiteman "honoured" us with his presence. We had a whole network set up: a spiritual system, a governing body and natural laws we followed. Every individual played a part. We need to go back to this system and combine it with the present day system and create something that will work for us. What works for one may not work for all. Each Band has different needs, access to different resources, and different perspectives of what self governmnet is. Its important to find what will be the right fit for every band.
Guest Speakers Blog
Cathy Martin presented to us different ways that oral traditions can be passed down. She shared her stories, she shared a chant, and she shared her gift of creativity, her video. She shared her experience of going to the U.S. to bring home the remains of Anna Mae Aquash. She shared her connection to my father and related the deep level of respect she has for him. (I am so very grateful to have heard this) So many things that she said resonated with me. She related that she believes that the leadership qualities my father posessed, no longer exsist in our leaders of today.I've had many conversations in the last 15 years since my father passed on with different members of the Mikmaq community, and they've always shared this same belief.Cathy is very knowledgeable about our culture and we are blessed to have her pass on her knowledge. SHe is a very gifted story teller. She also told us about blood memory, how we have in us knowledge about the past, we've only to call on it.
Norah Ward presented us with the work she does with the Atlantic Policy Congress. She discussed Indegenous Diplomacy, Treaty Making, Treay Denial, Treaty Litigation and Treaty Recognition. These are the steps involved in proving our Treaty Rights. She discussed our alliances with other tribesand the meaning of the Wampum Belt. She discussed the 1867 North American Act that put us on reserves. She talked about "understanding where we came from. All the different clues that are in each story." That basically sums it up. The importance of the hidden information in every story we've ever heard and taken for granted. We must realize the importance of these stories and the valuable information they hold. The main thing I took away from this was: section 35(1) The exsisting aboriginal and treay rights of the aborignal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed. When I saw this on the screen when Norah Ward was presenting I thought we all really should have that hanging in every Public building in every First Nation community. I know I'm going to hang that in my house so I'm reminded of it everyday.
Of all the presenters I think John Sylliboy's was the most thought provoking. He shared with us just what an "Oral Ttradition" is. I had come to think of it as Oral expression, as in speaking,chanting or singing. But really its about the total experience.Its about the events going on since the beginning of the time.The physical embodiment,the actions of our ancestors, and the energy they leave behind in everything they touch or create.
Its in the basketmaking process.Its in the wood we use to make baskets, the tools used to create the splints.The story of the basketmaker.The story of the person cutting the splints. The experience of collecting sweetgrass to incorporate into the basket.The knowledge of the locations to pick sweetgrass.
Its in the way we fish and hunt. The areas we hunt and fish in,the knowledge of these areas. The hunting and fishing tools,the creation of these tools.The knowledge of where to fish and hunt at certain times of the year.The stories passed down from father to son while on their hunting or fishing expedition.
Its in every action, thought,object every made,story,dance,garment ever made. Theres so much more to add to that list.Its about the 4 layers of knowledge: finding it, discovering it, identifying it, and living it spiritually.Also he related a video of an Elder Gathering that defined the 7 gifts a person must have to gain the title of Elder. This presentation helped me to wrap up my project.It was a valuable source of information.
Norah Ward presented us with the work she does with the Atlantic Policy Congress. She discussed Indegenous Diplomacy, Treaty Making, Treay Denial, Treaty Litigation and Treaty Recognition. These are the steps involved in proving our Treaty Rights. She discussed our alliances with other tribesand the meaning of the Wampum Belt. She discussed the 1867 North American Act that put us on reserves. She talked about "understanding where we came from. All the different clues that are in each story." That basically sums it up. The importance of the hidden information in every story we've ever heard and taken for granted. We must realize the importance of these stories and the valuable information they hold. The main thing I took away from this was: section 35(1) The exsisting aboriginal and treay rights of the aborignal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed. When I saw this on the screen when Norah Ward was presenting I thought we all really should have that hanging in every Public building in every First Nation community. I know I'm going to hang that in my house so I'm reminded of it everyday.
Of all the presenters I think John Sylliboy's was the most thought provoking. He shared with us just what an "Oral Ttradition" is. I had come to think of it as Oral expression, as in speaking,chanting or singing. But really its about the total experience.Its about the events going on since the beginning of the time.The physical embodiment,the actions of our ancestors, and the energy they leave behind in everything they touch or create.
Its in the basketmaking process.Its in the wood we use to make baskets, the tools used to create the splints.The story of the basketmaker.The story of the person cutting the splints. The experience of collecting sweetgrass to incorporate into the basket.The knowledge of the locations to pick sweetgrass.
Its in the way we fish and hunt. The areas we hunt and fish in,the knowledge of these areas. The hunting and fishing tools,the creation of these tools.The knowledge of where to fish and hunt at certain times of the year.The stories passed down from father to son while on their hunting or fishing expedition.
Its in every action, thought,object every made,story,dance,garment ever made. Theres so much more to add to that list.Its about the 4 layers of knowledge: finding it, discovering it, identifying it, and living it spiritually.Also he related a video of an Elder Gathering that defined the 7 gifts a person must have to gain the title of Elder. This presentation helped me to wrap up my project.It was a valuable source of information.
Class Lectures
1. I learned what Treay Rights are and why they are so important to protect.
2. I think its a very important part of who we are.By continuing to do the things our ancestors did it proves our link to the natural resources and our claim to them.I think its important to note as well that as times change, the things we do with our natural resources change.Just as non-natives ways change and adapt, ourways change and adapt. Its not fair to put limitations on the definition of the uses of the natural resources.We should be able to use the resources in different ways, reflecting our need for them.
3.Oral history is always going to be on our side. We've only just began gathering our Oral history it will be interesting to see just how much we'll have in the next several years.I know we've just tapped the surface.
4.The cases are valuable sources of information and recognition. We should continue to go over them with "fresh eyes" to see what we may have missed.Different people have different perspectives, and someone may take notice of something that was overlooked.I think its important that this information is constantly reviewed.
5. We need to keep gathering information, keep asking questions, and keep practicing our traditions.
6.If Treaties were honoured and implemented, our Mikmaq Nation would be rich with resources and pride. Our children, and our children's children would be able to take pride in their Identity. They could be the first generation that the whiteman hasn't been able totarnish the reputation of our people. WE would have control of the teachings of our history and wipe out the stereotypes that have plagued us for years.
7.I enjoyed everything. I love learning about our rights and treaties. I enjoyed the films and guest speakers. I enjoyed the little stories we learned from each other when we had to come up with little stories we've heard over the years.Some I've never heard before. Our project made me aware of something thats been missing in our community these last few years. We don't visit each other enough. This is something I plan to start doing more of.
2. I think its a very important part of who we are.By continuing to do the things our ancestors did it proves our link to the natural resources and our claim to them.I think its important to note as well that as times change, the things we do with our natural resources change.Just as non-natives ways change and adapt, ourways change and adapt. Its not fair to put limitations on the definition of the uses of the natural resources.We should be able to use the resources in different ways, reflecting our need for them.
3.Oral history is always going to be on our side. We've only just began gathering our Oral history it will be interesting to see just how much we'll have in the next several years.I know we've just tapped the surface.
4.The cases are valuable sources of information and recognition. We should continue to go over them with "fresh eyes" to see what we may have missed.Different people have different perspectives, and someone may take notice of something that was overlooked.I think its important that this information is constantly reviewed.
5. We need to keep gathering information, keep asking questions, and keep practicing our traditions.
6.If Treaties were honoured and implemented, our Mikmaq Nation would be rich with resources and pride. Our children, and our children's children would be able to take pride in their Identity. They could be the first generation that the whiteman hasn't been able totarnish the reputation of our people. WE would have control of the teachings of our history and wipe out the stereotypes that have plagued us for years.
7.I enjoyed everything. I love learning about our rights and treaties. I enjoyed the films and guest speakers. I enjoyed the little stories we learned from each other when we had to come up with little stories we've heard over the years.Some I've never heard before. Our project made me aware of something thats been missing in our community these last few years. We don't visit each other enough. This is something I plan to start doing more of.
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