Kiya Waneekah: (Don’T Forget)
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Kiya Waneekah: (Don’t Forget) by Dennis Davey A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Manitoba in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Arts Department of Native Studies University of Manitoba Winnipeg Copyright © 2017 by Dennis Davey Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Kiya Waneekah: Don’t Forget Who You Are ............................................................................................. 3 Insurgent Response ................................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter I ...................................................................................................................................................... 17 Getting Started: Family as Network ............................................................................................................ 17 Research Organization and Planning: ..................................................................................................... 20 Applying Methodology in Boggy Creek ................................................................................................... 21 Kitchen Table Methodology .................................................................................................................... 26 Shared Cultural Experiences ................................................................................................................... 31 Testing Methodologies: Research as Activism ........................................................................................ 36 Utilizing Social Media as Methodology ................................................................................................... 40 Positionality in Research ......................................................................................................................... 41 Research Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 44 Looking Back ........................................................................................................................................... 47 Looking Ahead ......................................................................................................................................... 48 Chapter II ..................................................................................................................................................... 53 The Spirit of Gift Giving: .............................................................................................................................. 53 Small Gifts Mean a Great Deal .................................................................................................................... 53 Meaning-making: Indigenous Spirituality ............................................................................................... 56 Chapter III .................................................................................................................................................... 66 Seeking Our Language Speakers: ................................................................................................................ 66 Importance of Language. ............................................................................................................................ 66 “We Don’t Use Miigwech Around Here”: Learning to Say “Thank You” in a Cree-French Village ......... 71 Progress, Loss and the Market Economy ................................................................................................ 76 Missionary and Other Cultural Events .................................................................................................... 84 Untangling the Myth ............................................................................................................................... 90 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................. 103 Second Chances: ....................................................................................................................................... 103 Community Resilience Takes a Stand ....................................................................................................... 103 Families Stick Together: Moving Forward as Community Co-researchers ............................................... 105 One Small Success Story: The Path to the Future ..................................................................................... 107 Kinships are the Ties that Bind .................................................................................................................. 111 List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................. 118 Glossary ..................................................................................................................................................... 118 Bibliography .............................................................................................................................................. 119 Appendix i ................................................................................................................................................. 123 Appendix ii ................................................................................................................................................ 131 Appendix iii ............................................................................................................................................... 136 Abstract In this paper, I discuss how I planned to implement an Insurgent Research methodology articulated by Métis scholar, Adam Gaudry in his article “Insurgent Research.”1 I organized my historic Métis community using an insurgent research model as methodology along with storytelling, community meetings and ‘kitchen table’ discussions to challenge the narrative set in motion by the justice system for San Clara and Boggy Creek Manitoba. I briefly discuss a 2011 court decision, R v Langan, that denied the traditional and re-emergent identity of San Clara. I implemented a community-based co-researcher model grounded in a culture of mutual respect and relationship building. I include scholarly writings that recommend recording local histories and community and family relationships. I received several gifts and I discuss the meaningful experiences found in this culture of gift giving. I relate how I mobilized the community, the stories people shared and the lessons I learned as an inside researcher. My community co-researchers have expanded to included thirty-eight people who have signed consent forms and together we plan to ‘push back’ against the injustice of denying our historic status as a traditional community. We will conclude this research project by submitting a written document of our local history, and cultural activities and establish our heritage in the literature as a historic Métis community in Manitoba. 1 Adam Gaudry, “Insurgent Research,” Wicazo SA Review, Spring 2011: Project MUSE: Today’s Research. Tomorrow’s Inspiration. Accessed 17 September 2016, https://adamgaudry.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/gaudry- insurgent-research-wicazo-sa-26-11.pdf 1 | P a g e Acknowledgements I am indebted to many people who have supported this research and have helped me through the years. Dr. Sherry Farrell Racette has worked closely with me sharing ideas and offering encouragement as my graduate advisor. Dr. Peter Kulchyski facilitated my insights into the daunting process of scholarship applications that animate and made this research possible. Funding from the Manitoba Research Alliance (MRA) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) allowed me to plan and commute to participate in community activities. I am grateful to Dr. Jarvis Brownlie, whose support instills confidence in me that this work is important. Dr. Fred Shore whose understanding and compassion for Métis issues and generous support has made me incredibly lucky to know and work with him. Many other scholars influenced and shaped my ideas that informed my methodology. Most importantly, I am sustained by the support of the San Clara and Boggy Creek community and others with historic ties here, who, generously gifted their traditional knowledge and ideas through social media, family and community meetings. These collective efforts enabled this community research to happen. I value all thirty-nine co-researchers (and counting) who took the risk and trusted me that our story is important and that it should be told. The storytellers from this Métis community are my extended family and friends and they share their worldview and hospitality as I am invited into their homes to record, photograph and listen to their stories of survival, community and family life. Lastly, to my family