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.
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