PDF 3 - Engaging With Indigenous Stories Flashcards
(15 cards)
PRINCIPLE 8: WORKING WITH
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ORAL TRADITIONS
Indigenous style recognizes Traditional Knowledge and Oral Traditions as Indigenous cultural property, owned by Indigenous People and over which Indigenous People exert control. This recognition has bearing on permission and copyright, and applies even when non-Indigenous laws do not require it.
When can we use Indigenous Literature?
- While we may study responsibly published Indigenous Literatures freely, we must be careful with any story that is the cultural property of Indigenous Peoples (E.G. creation stories).
- Some stories belong to the communities they are from, and it is not respectful or responsible to use them for exercises in a class.
Oral Traditions
Oral Traditions comprise the stories that have been told for generations, many of which are Sacred Stories.
Traditional Knowledge
- Traditional Knowledge is a wider category
- Includes: Indigenous architecture; forest management with fire; medicines and herbology; and knowledge about climate patterns and animal migrations.
- Traditional Knowledge also includes Oral Traditions.
- For the most part Traditional Knowledge is not sacred–but some of it is.
- Mostly information.
THE FOUR R’s BY KIRKNESS AND BARNHARDT
Respect
- The foundation of the Four R’s
- Recognizing the inherent value and dignity of all people, including Indigenous peoples and their knowledge
- Involves acknowledging and honouring the history and traditions of Indigenous peoples
Respecting Indigenous people’s stories, traditions, and knowledge
THE FOUR R’s BY KIRKNESS AND BARNHARDT
Responsibility
- Means recognizing the role that non-Indigenous people have in creating a more just and equitable society for all
- Involves acknowledging the harms of colonization
- Working towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples
- Taking action to address the ongoing social, economic, and environmental issues facing Indigenous communities.
Taking responsiblity for harm and taking actions to right wrongs
THE FOUR R’s BY KIRKNESS AND BARNHARDT
Relevance
- Recognizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and culture in today’s world
- Indigenous knowledge is grounded in centuries of lived experience and is deeply connected to the land and environment
Indigenous knowledge and culture is very important in the world today
THE FOUR R’s BY KIRKNESS AND BARNHARDT
Reciprocity
- Means recognizing that relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples must be based on mutual respect, understanding, and benefit
- Involves giving and receiving in equal measure
- Recognizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge and culture in shaping our collective future
Relationships between Indigenous and non Indigenous people must be equal
Jo-ann Archibald’s Seven Principles of Indigenous Storytelling
Respect
Show respect for animals, elders, and nature. Research is a way of showing respect.
Jo-ann Archibald’s Seven Principles of Indigenous Storytelling
Reverence
Show reverence for oratory and storytelling and for the ideas they share with you.
Jo-ann Archibald’s Seven Principles of Indigenous Storytelling
Responsibility
Take responsibility for listening. Use your three ears for figuring out what stories mean to you.
Jo-ann Archibald’s Seven Principles of Indigenous Storytelling
Interrelatedness
Look for the ways in which the story relates with what is outside the text. How the story relates with you. How the story relates with ideas in the world. How the story relates with who has told it.
Jo-ann Archibald’s Seven Principles of Indigenous Storytelling
Synergy
- The idea that different things come together to operate as a whole
- Synergistic interaction between storyteller, listener, and story is part of how we figure out meaning in a text
- How does the story and its telling interact with you? How does listening to the story through your lens create a distinct meaning when reading the story?
- We must listen or read while a story is being told with three ears—two to hear with on the side of our head, and one on our heart.
Jo-ann Archibald’s Seven Principles of Indigenous Storytelling
Holism
- The Indigenous philosophical concept of holism refers to the interrelatedness between the intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical realms to form a whole healthy person
- Onself < family < community < nation < intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual
Jo-ann Archibald’s Seven Principles of Indigenous Storytelling
Reciprocity
Consider what a story prompts you to share in return as a result of the synergy between you and the text, interrelationships you see, and the ways in which it affects you. The story gives its meaning. Give back yours.
