University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2015 Honouring the Kaswenta (Two Row Wampum): A Framework For Consultation With Indigenous Communities In Canada and Australia Ashley Sisco University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Sisco, Ashley, Honouring the Kaswenta (Two Row Wampum): A Framework For Consultation With Indigenous Communities In Canada and Australia, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, 2015. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/4345 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Indigenous Australians are advised that this article may include images or names of people now deceased. Continue HONOURING THE KASWENTA 1 Honouring the Kaswénta (Two Row Wampum): A Framework For Consultation With Indigenous Communities In Canada and Australia Ashley Sisco, B.A. (Honors Specialization in Anthropology), M.A. (Canadian Studies), 2015 A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Wollongong Faculty of Education March 2015 HONOURING THE KASWENTA 2 Advisory to Indigenous Australian Readers Indigenous Australians are warned that this document may contain names or images of people who are now deceased. Statement of Originality This thesis reports the original work of the author, except as stated. It has not been previously submitted for a degree at this or any other university. Ashley Sisco October 2013 Statement of Shared Copyright This thesis shares copyright—the right to reproduce the intellectual property herein— among the Faculty of Education (now School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences) and Faculty of Law (now School of Law, Faculty of Law, Humanities and The Arts) at the University of Wollongong, Carcross/Tagish First Nation (C/TFN) Executive Council, and Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation (PPAC) in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Appendix A. Please note that this MOU was signed in May 2012, during consultation with the C/TFN regarding our research relationship. At that time, a separate agreement (Appendix B) had been signed to govern my research relationship with PPAC (in November 2011). However, PPAC was included in this MOU (following consultation with the community Chairperson) to ensure that both communities retain the same rights and benefits from our relationship, including shared copyright of this thesis. HONOURING THE KASWENTA 3 Acknowledgement One of the lessons I have learned from this journey is the significance of honouring those things for which we are grateful. As such, I have decided to provide a traditional acknowledgment in the way I have been taught from the Elders with whom I have been fortunate to work. While I have not listed every essence to which I owe some part of this journey, I have tried to highlight some of the most influential, including my teachers— Mother Earth, Ceremony, the Storytellers, and Intuition. First, I would like to acknowledge the place where I began my journey, the traditional territory of Attawandaron First Nations peoples of Turtle Island and neighbouring territory of the Munsee-Delaware Lenni Lenape, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Chippewas of the Thames First Nations peoples. The colonial name for this place is London Ontario, Canada. Thank you to the green, lush Grasses, Brush, and soft Earth for holding me up while I learned to walk and run and for providing a soft landing when I fell. Thank you to the many types of Trees—Maple, Birch, Hickory, Ash, Pines, and Elms among others—for providing me with fresh, clean Air to breath, a cool place to rest in the summer, and a beautiful scene to gaze upon and lift my spirits in the autumn. Thank you for teaching me about strength and resiliency, withstanding the harshest of winters only to bloom again fragrant and colourful in the spring. Thank you to the Crawlers, the Four Legged Animals—the Beavers, Racoons, and White Tail Deer, among others—who care for the Earth, Plant Life, and Animals on which we depend. Thank you to the Human Beings of my hometown, who helped shape my character and perspective. Second, I would like to acknowledge the place that first profoundly transformed my life, called Arviat (which translates into “place of the Bowhead Whale”, in Inuktitut), traditional territory of the Inuit. Thank you to the never-ending, white, flat Horizon for humbling me in your presence. Thank you to the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun for HONOURING THE KASWENTA 4 your magic and beauty. Thank you to the wise Eskers for sharing your stories of the past with me. Thank you to the cold, harsh climate for teaching me about the precariousness of life. From this I gained an appreciation for the resourcefulness of the original peoples of this place, who have survived. Thank you to the creatures of this Land, Water, and Sky, who filled my days with curiosity, wonder, and sometimes terror. Thank you to the Inuit— Ahairmiut, Padleimiut and Kitikmiut—for teaching me about how to be a Human Being and for moving my spirit in a way that I can never forget. Third, I would like to acknowledge the place where I began my PhD journey, called Wollongong, traditional territory of the Dharawal peoples of Australia. Thank you to Mount Keira and Mount Kembla for watching over me while I was far from home. Thank you to the warm weather and the beautiful Plants and Trees for making me smile. Thank you to North Beach and the hilly Coasts for encouraging me to relax and enjoy the moment. Thank you to the Kookaburra’s morning song for ensuring I started every day laughing, regardless of yesterday. Fourth, I would like to acknowledge Whitehorse and Carcross, the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dun and Tagish/Tlingit First Nations, respectively. Thank you for helping us to fall in love. Thank you for your beautiful snow-capped Mountains, enfolding us in your care; the fast-moving Yukon River, the life-source and gathering place of the city; the Mountains, Hills and Trees that guided me to Carcross, for providing me with a sense of calm on my daily journey. Thank you to Emerald Lake, for sharing your reflections of these guides in intense shades of green. This sight took my breath away every morning and afternoon, and invited pause for reflections of my own. Thank you to the Carcross Dessert, gatekeeper to the community, for reminding me that life is full of mystery and surprises to which we must surrender ourselves. Thank you to Bennett Lake, soul of Carcross, for keeping me of good heart, mind, and spirit. Fifth, thank you to Point Pearce Narungga Bookayana territory of South Australia. Thank you for healing our hearts during a difficult time. Thank you to the warm weather, Sunshine, and cool Breeze for making it difficult to feel sadness. Thank you to the quiet serene Beach and the vast Fields for providing calm and making our worries seem insignificant in your presence. Thank you to the Fires that cleared pastures and set the Sky ablaze in hazy orange and red at sunset. Thank you to the red Earth and the long Grass for keeping the many poisonous Snakes and Spiders discrete during our stay. HONOURING THE KASWENTA 5 Sixth, I would like to acknowledge the Ancestors and Elders who guided me on this journey. Thank you to my Grandad, Lionel Thomas ‘Lal’ Pearson, whose memory encourages me to write. Thank you to my Grandma, Dora Sisco, for modelling how to walk gently on this Earth and always treat others kindly. Thank you to Mary for our time together, which I will always cherish. I loved to hear your stories. To my Elders, foremost, thank you to my Nana, Mary Elizabeth ‘Betty’ MacMillan Pearson, a strong Scottish woman and Matriarch of our family. Thank you for your constant inspiration of womanhood—strength, intellect, compassion, grace, beauty, and unapologetic sass. Thank you for never compromising what is right and for upholding and teaching us to uphold our Clan MacMillan motto (Misesris succerere disco/ I learn to succerere the unfortunate) through your actions. Thank you also for teaching me to trust my intuition, and stand up for what is right. Thank you to Joe Karetak, an Inuk Elder from Arviat, Nunavut, who continues to teach me about being a Human Being. Thank you to Mark Wedge, who awoke my Spirit, and guided me back onto my rightful path. Your knowledge and wisdom has been invaluable to this project and transformative personally. Thank you for believing I can change the world. Thank you to Uncle Muddy, Aunty Lizzie, and Aunty Peggy for sharing your Stories with us. Thank you to Dan Smoke–Asayenes, Seneca Nation, Kildeer Clan, from Six Nations Grand River Territory and Mary Lou Smoke-Asayenes, Ojibway, Bear Clan, from Batchawana Bay. Together you have taught me the importance of being like Sweetgrass, flexible, strong, and always honouring our greatest gift from the Creator, kindness. I will carry this teaching and others you have shared with me in my sacred bundle. Seventh, I would like to acknowledge the communities of Point Pearce Narungga and Carcross/Tagish First Nation. A special thank you to Papa George Walker, Kaa Shaa du Heni Danny Cresswell, and Mark Wedge (again), who generously hosted my fiancé and I during our stay. Thank you to Danny Cresswell, John Buckskin, Michael O’Loughlin (“Muddy”), and Peter Stockings (“Soxy”) for your ongoing support. Thank you to Ros Allen and Trevor Allan for opening your home to us. Thank you to Geraldine James for your leadership on this project. Thank you to Rex Angie who showed us around in Point Pearce, Ron Watson for showing me around the school, and Karen Brine for all of your time and effort supporting this project.