Project: Indigenous Spiritual Biography as the Matrix for Reconciliation

By Shane Patterson, 1st year MDP student

Hau mitakiyapi, iyuha chante waste nape chiyuzapi-Greeting my relatives, I greet you all with a heartfelt handshake. My name is Shane Patterson and I come from the original lands of the Ihanktowan Oyate also known as the Yankton Dakota reservation. I am part of the Seven Council Fires of the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota speaking people. Our Ihanktowan Tribe are known as the ‘People of the End Village’ identified as the band that stood at the eastern doorway in the camp. I have resided in Canada for the last 20 plus years obtaining dual citizenship in 2010. I was adopted by my tanke Katherine Whitecloud and into the Whitecloud tiwahe through a hunka ceremony. This hunka ceremony spiritually and culturally connects to the community of Wipazoka Wakpa also known as Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

This year I connected with Dr. Mark Ruml building a relationship with him as a mentor while in the MDP program. Dr. Ruml has given me the opportunity to work on a research project titled ‘Indigenous Spiritual Biography as the Matrix for Truth and Reconciliation.

This project examines spiritual biographies and teachings of Indigenous healers as well as spiritual leaders as part of the matrix for reconciliation. It focuses on documenting the spiritual biographies of well-known Indigenous healers and spiritual leaders. Throughout the summer, Dr. Ruml and I have been conducting video interviews healers and spiritual leaders within Winnipeg and southern Manitoba. The project goal is to interview 100 healers and spiritual leaders. Some activities I have been involved with are: scheduling interviews, collaborating, and facilitating interviews, transcribing, presentations, networking, taking ethics training, and attending sundances. These activities provided insight on the usage of audio and video equipment that were required for usage of the project.

Shane and Mark Ruml

This research grew out of a book project that the late Don Daniels, from Long Plain First Nation, and Dr. Ruml were collaborating on: "Don Daniels: The Life and Teachings of an Anishinaabe (Ojibway) Healer." This research project examines the spiritual biography and teachings of Indigenous healers and spiritual leaders. Documenting the spiritual biography of well-known Indigenous healers, spiritual leaders, and those who have embraced Indigenous spirituality is an act of reconciliation itself. It values their life story and the significant contributions that they have made to the survival of their people and to Canadian society.

The project uses an Indigenous advisory circle to ensure that the research is conducted in a culturally respectfully approach. This project has been thoroughly rewarding and enriching especially listening to Indigenous knowledge keepers who have doing amazing and wonderful work at the community level. I will continue being apart of interviews, being apart of the Indigenous Advisory Circle, and supporting the research project with the continued guidance of Dr. Ruml.

 

Acimowin

By Christy Bird, 2nd year MDP student  

Boozhoo! I am excited as I wrap up my final field placement as a part of my MDP studies. I appreciate the opportunities I have had assisting Dr. Shailesh Shukla in community-led research of a traditional food guide with and for Fisher River Cree Nation. 

Last year I had a remote field placement due to the ongoing pandemic, but this year I was excited to be in the community and, most importantly, listen to stories from community members about their community and the traditional foods harvested in their community. As a part of building relationships is sharing stories; a highlight for me was speaking to community members who shared stories of my Murdock grandparents, as my Papa was a fisherman for many years in Fisher River. In addition, it was exciting to visit with youth that encompasses knowledge of the land and sustainable harvesting and take pride in their story of the history of Fisher River and their vision for a healthy community.  

The education I obtained through the past two years and last year's field placement enhanced my awareness of the importance of ethics and Indigenous research methods that ensured that I adhered to the ethical practice of community-led research and to ensure that value, respect, reciprocity, and honour were at the forefront of the research. Fisher River is a strong Cree community, and the work Fisher River is completing reinforces that Indigenous-led wellness has to be community-led and specific to their community. 

Again, I am thankful for all that was shared with me; it has greatly influenced the work I will embark upon as I exit my studies. Ekosi. Miigwech. 

And All Other Duties as Required

By Chelsie Parayko, 1st year MDP student

When signing up for the MDP program, I did not envision what exactly working with community would look like, and I would imagine typically that’s not something that most people consider. It is likely that most of us thought about the great work in research we will do, the positive impacts we may potentially have and maybe, just maybe, we think about how community will change us and impact who we are. 

On Blackfoot traditional territory during the Pathways Annual Gathering: “Land-based learning and healing”

What we don’t talk about is how sometimes we have to roll up our proverbial sleeves and drive a 15-passenger van down a windy highway, be a cheer leader for a young artist who is unsure of her talents, run bear-watch, or how we might have to become hosts to elders and run to ensuring their dinner is everything they expect, and their water is always topped up.

We have been told to “check ourselves at the door” and to enter a community with humility, understanding and with no set idea of how your time will turn out to be, but this is just the beginning of that story. As Dorothy says, “we are no longer in Kansas anymore,” we are here for the community and most of our preconceived notions are proven to be completely incorrect.

Elder Mabel Horton sharing teachings in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation

Our job as researchers is to disrupt the norms and to be the community’s biggest advocates. During a fire-side-chat, Bonnie Healy, of the Blood Tribe, said that “we are all aware that Indigenous peoples have been researched to death, but it is our responsibility as Indigenous researchers to research ourselves back to life.” This is true for both Indigenous researchers and our allies as well.

I have had the great pleasure of working with Nanaandawewigamig this summer and I have seen this happen in its truest form. The staff in the Research Department have an extremely long list of experience, western education and what seems like endless knowledge of and appreciation for Indigenous ways of knowing and being. 

This group of individuals make up some of the foremost Indigenous researchers, however when tasks need to be taken on, they are always the first to roll up their sleeves and do what needs to be done. I am perpetually in awe of this group of people and feel incredibly privileged to have had to opportunity to learn from and to have worked along-side them.

Traveling North - Pisew Falls, MB. (B-F) Rachel Bach, Stephanie Sinclair & Chelsie Parayko