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An Exploration of Collaboration in Indigenous Language Revitalization in a First Nation Community

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An Exploration of Collaboration in Indigenous Language Revitalization in a First Nation Community Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 4-16-2019 11:00 AM An Exploration of Collaboration In Indigenous Language Revitalization In A First Nation Community Sara General The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Pollock, Katina E. The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Education A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Education © Sara General 2019 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Educational Leadership Commons Recommended Citation General, Sara, "An Exploration of Collaboration In Indigenous Language Revitalization In A First Nation Community" (2019). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 6115. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/6115 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT This dissertation explores how Indigenous language leaders at Six Nations of the Grand River can collaborate for the purpose of revitalizing Indigenous languages. Using an Indigenous research study approach, I conducted single 45-60 minute semi-structured interviews with 10 Indigenous language leaders from the Six Nations of the Grand River. To develop an understanding about the concept of collaboration informed by Haudenosaunee epistemologies, I explored three cultural stories that generally constitute the foundation of Haudenosaunee philosophy and worldview. Together, insights from both the participants and the cultural stories informed this study and supported the development of my conceptual framework, which includes six components of collaboration: vision, problem-solving, partner engagement, purpose, roles and structure, and resources. Findings indicate that Indigenous language leaders understand collaboration and processes of collaboration in mostly similar ways; as a process through which individuals and groups who experience a shared problem can work together towards a common goal. The vision, problem domain, purpose, roles and structure, and resource needs of the collaboration are further clarified and affirmed through discussion and dialogue. Indigenous language leaders identified strategies they use and challenges they experience engaging in collaborative work. According to Indigenous language leaders, two main challenges include a lack of human resources (specifically language speakers), and financial resources. Throughout the process of analyzing the data, I explored two themes: (1) complexity and variation in the work of Indigenous language leaders, (2) Indigenous language leaders’ perception of a gap in interaction and coordination between language programs and initiatives at Six Nations of the Grand River. I discuss the role of colonialism in relation to these challenges and emerging themes, and argue that frameworks for collaboration found in Haudenosaunee cultural stories can help navigate these challenges and provide support to collaborative efforts in Indigenous language revitalization. Keywords: collaboration, Indigenous educational leadership, Indigenous language revitalization, Haudenosaunee cultural stories, Indigenous language leadership ii Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................. ix List of Tables .......................................................................................................................... xi List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ xii List of Appendices ................................................................................................................ xiii Dedication ............................................................................................................................. xiv PROLOGUE ............................................................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 5 Purpose of the Study......................................................................................................................... 6 Research Questions .......................................................................................................................... 7 Context of the Research Study ........................................................................................................ 8 Nation to nation. ........................................................................................................................... 10 Six Nations of the Grand River. ................................................................................................... 11 Problem of Practice ........................................................................................................................ 13 Significance of the Study ................................................................................................................ 15 For individuals ............................................................................................................................. 16 For First Nation communities ...................................................................................................... 16 For organizations .......................................................................................................................... 16 For existing collaborations ........................................................................................................... 16 For Indigenous language leaders .................................................................................................. 16 For the field of educational leadership ......................................................................................... 16 Organization of Chapters .............................................................................................................. 17 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................... 18 Exploring Educational Leadership ............................................................................................... 18 Indigenous leadership. .................................................................................................................. 20 Indigenous educational leadership. .............................................................................................. 22 Haudenosaunee concepts of leadership. ....................................................................................... 24 The work of Indigenous language leaders .................................................................................... 26 iii Defining language revitalization. ................................................................................................. 26 Building speaking proficiency. .................................................................................................... 27 Setting the vision and mission. ..................................................................................................... 28 Advocacy...................................................................................................................................... 28 Capacities. .................................................................................................................................... 29 Concept of Collaboration ............................................................................................................... 30 Awareness of a shared problem ................................................................................................... 30 Partner Engagement ..................................................................................................................... 31 Setting common goals .................................................................................................................. 32 Structuring/Implementation ......................................................................................................... 32 Resources ..................................................................................................................................... 34 Implications for leadership ........................................................................................................... 34 Challenges to establishing and maintaining collaborative partnerships ....................................... 35 Haudenosaunee Cultural Insights Regarding Collaboration ........................................................ 36 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................................. 36 Defining the components of the conceptual framework............................................................... 38 A framework for organizing and synthesizing my learning ......................................................... 39 Chapter Summary .........................................................................................................................
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