A Road to Understanding Indigenous Culture
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Language TERMINOLOGY 1 The most common languages in this area include Anishinaabemowin (which in turn, includes Indigenous: Overarching term to describe Non-Status Indian*: An Indian person who Métis*: People of mixed First Nation and the dialects of Ojibwa, Odawa and Potawatomi); also included is the Delaware language r the descendants of the original inhabitants is not registered as an Indian under the European ancestry who identify themselves e v called Lunaapeew. Métis people have their own language called Michif, while Inuktitut is the i of a country or a geographical region. Indian Act. as Métis are distinct from First Nations, R UNDERSTANDING CULTURAL IDENTITY language of Inuit people. There are also many dialects of each language. These languages Indigenous people practice unique Inuit and non-Aboriginal people. They have le Native American: A term in use during the b often function differently from English; for example, Indigenous languages tend to name traditions and retain social, cultural, a distinct language called “Michif”. *In Indigenous people are on many different Spirituality sa 1960s in place of the term “Indian” as that Au objects by describing them, compared to a singular name an object is given in English. economic and political characteristics word began to be considered derogatory. April 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada paths and stages of their journey in Each individual Indigenous community that are distinct from those practised ruled that Metis and non-status Indians are staying connected to and reclaiming their understands that spirituality is an essential Seven Grandfather Teachings by the dominant societies in which they Anishinaabe/Anishinaabeg: Refers to those considered “Indians” under Section 91(24) of culture. This includes traditional values, component of their culture. Some of the The Seven Grandfather Teachings contain traditional knowledge given to the Anishinaabe live. This is the term used throughout this Indigenous people who speak a wide variety the Constitutional Act. beliefs, clan systems, spirit names and practices of this spirituality include sacred people by the Creator. They are used together in ceremony and by each individual in daily document to refer to First Nation, Métis of Algonkian language dialects such as the traditional territories. Inuit: An Aboriginal people in Northern LAKE HURON ceremonies such as smudging, sweat lodges life. They are principles to live by and are essential for living a good and healthy life. and Inuit peoples. Odawa, Ojibwa, Potawatomi, Cree, Mi'kmaq, etc. The word Anishinaabe also has a direct Canada, who live in Nunavut, Northwest Many Indigenous people are revitalizing and fasting. Aboriginal Peoples: The descendants of reference to the Creation Story with its Territories, Northern Quebec and their culture by learning their languages Each nation on Turtle Island (North America) RESPECT the original inhabitants of North America. Northern Labrador. and participating in ceremonies. They are meaning of “the one lowered to earth”. has its own teachings and stories of how the Respect all of creation, including The Canadian Constitution Act recognizes discovering more about traditional foods, Unceded: Territory not surrendered by universe came to be. These teachings guide Elders and all other people. three groups of Aboriginal people-Indians, Lenape/Lunaapeew: Lenaape (or plural: Sarnia music, dance, clothing and diet. With all of Lunaapeew) is pronounced “Leh-NAH-pay” Indigenous people to the Crown either by their ways of knowing and understanding Métis and Inuit. These are three separate treaty or an Indian Act surrender. this, they are learning about a way of living the world and how they interact with HUMILITY London LOVE peoples with unique languages, cultural and it means “the people.” The nation is called “Mino Bimaadiziwin” which means it. There are key components of these To be humble is to know Love yourself, all practices and spiritual beliefs. also known as the Lenni Lenape (“true Colonization: The action or “Living in a Good Way”. This is endeavouring teachings and creation stories that are yourself as an equal others, and all people”) or the Delaware Nation named process of settling among to follow the Seven Grandfather Teachings in First Nation: A term that came into interwoven throughout cultural practices part of creation. of creation. after the Delaware River, which runs through and establishing control over every part of one's life. common usage in the 1970s to replace the traditional Lenni Lenape territory. (New the Indigenous people of an within each nation. Most importantly, there word “Indian”, which some people found 2 is an understanding between nations that York/Manhattan Island) area. Colonization replaces GENEROSITY TRUTH offensive. Although the term First Nation is traditional political systems all creation stories are considered to be widely used, no legal definition of it exists. with the colonizer’s system. Its equally true. Share what you Be truthful with Status Indian: A political definition that purpose is to take the title of A ROAD TO UNDERSTANDING have with others. yourself and with refers to a person who is registered as the land, subjugate its people To do this in a others. Consider an Indian under the Indian Act. There are and ultimately assimilate them. INDIGENOUS CULTURE good way is to your own walk ek legal reasons for the continued use of the re be generous. before judging C r r another's. term “Indian”, first used by the colonizers e TRADITIONALe a TERRITORY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT v B who believed North America was the sub- i R WISDOM BRAVERY continent of India. We acknowledge that the land and water on which we are r i Gather knowledge from life. To have Believe what your heart tells you is a gathered is part of the traditional territory of the Chippewa/ l balance in these principles is to have right. Stand strong no matter what C Ojibwa, Odawa, Potawatomi and Lenape Nations. wisdom in body, mind and spirit. the outcome may look like. These Indigenous Nations, known as the Anishinaabeg and t er iv See http://ojibwe.net/projects/prayers-teachings/the-gifts-of-the-seven-grandfathers/ S Lunaapeew, agreed through their ancestral languages to the R FACTS AND FICTION es mutual sharing of the land, with obligations and responsibilities a m REGIONAL AND CULTURAL DIFFERENCES Th to the environment. Today these responsibilities and obligations Fiction: Indigenous people are all the same. There are four distinct First Nation 3 Bkejwanong First Nation (Walpole Island) extend to all Peoples. Fact: Communities within Sarnia/Lambton/ Unceded territory located near Wallaceburg, Chatham-Kent. They are Aamjiwnaang at the mouth of the St. Clair River. Bkejwanong The term Indigenous is used to describe three distinct groups of First Nation, Kettle and Stony Point First people: First Nations (Status & Non-Status), Métis, and Inuit. Each (where the waters divide) is comprised of Fiction: All Indigenous people have alcohol problems. Nation and Bkejwanong First Nation, six islands that are occupied by the Ojibwa, has a unique history, culture, language, perspective, and spiritual which are members of the Three Fires Potawatomi and Odawa peoples. These beliefs. A growing trend is the use of specific nation names such as Fact: Humour Confederacy. The fourth is the Lenape Nations also represent the Council of the Anishinaabeg, Métis, Haudenosaunee, Cree, Algonquin, etc. because Although alcohol abuse is a problem within some Indigenous Nation at Moraviantown. Each community Three Fires, which is a military and cultural Used as a means of teaching, gentle teasing these are the most accurate descriptions of the people in question, communities, not all Indigenous people suffer from such addictions. is a part of a distinct nation that has a confederacy that has survived the test of time. is intended to bring attention to behaviour and this helps to differentiate between cultural groups. Many Indigenous people who live by their traditional teachings do unique culture, tradition, belief, history, that needs to be changed and/or to show not consume alcohol or other mind-altering substances; traditional political affiliation, experience and Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit affection. It can be used to cover great pain 4 Fiction: First Nations people do not pay any taxes. healing is a proven way to help people with addictions and other perspective. There are also many different (Delaware Nation at Moraviantown) 3 and difficult situations with smiles or jokes. It peoples from other bands dispersed 4 Fact: underlying issues. Located on the southern shores of the is a common concept that “laughter is good among the four communities. Thames River, near Thamesville. Home medicine” and a way to cope. Most First Nations people pay taxes. Income earned by those working on-reserve is exempt from income tax, but must be paid if the work is Fiction: Wiiwkwedong (Kettle Point) and of the Lenape (Lunaapeew) People of the 1 Indirect Communication & Non-Interference The Role of Silence done off-reserve. First Nations people living off-reserve, for the most Aazhoodenaang (Stony Point) Delaware Nation, called the grandfather All Indigenous people are on welfare or receive government assistance. nation by the other Anishinaabeg nations It is important to understand that there is an Silence plays an important role in many part, pay the same taxes as the rest of Canadian society. Located on Lake Huron in Bosanquet because they are the original people from unspoken understanding