Teaching The Next Generation

Many of you are mothers and fathers, aunties and uncles, and grandmothers and grandfathers. How and when do you explain to the next generation what it is to be indigenous in Canada?  How do you describe the turbulent waters of our past and reconcile our present for the next generation?  

Age and maturity level are critical of course. Direct or immediate relevance is also important to consider. But at some point, is it not imperative that the next generation understands how we arrived here?  Should our children not recognize the journey that has been taken to reconcile Indigenous rights in Canada? How will we make the next generations stronger, smarter, and better?

In short, knowledge is power. As the general and strategist Sun Tzu said, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” We must therefore educate the next generations in order to empower, embolden, and help them stand resolute in their convictions. We must give them the knowledge to make informed decisions and solve problems effectively.

Knowledge helps us to adapt, evolve, and adjust. It also boosts self-confidence and drives innovation. Overall, knowledge empowers simply by providing the tools to understand, navigate, and shape the world around us. It's a valuable asset that can open doors and lead to success in various aspects of life.

So, when the child is age-appropriate, will you educate your child on how settler society has dismantled Indigenous knowledge and governance systems while expropriating our lands and resources? Will you illustrate why the promise of reconciliation remains so elusive?  Will you teach the next generation to demand a more ethical and rewarding path to reparations and co-existence?

Ultimately, the goal is to empower our children with the knowledge and skills to make safe decisions and navigate an increasingly complex world (while also being aware of the unique challenges they may face due to their identity.) This topic is admittedly vast and potentially disturbing, so discussing it may seem daunting, but it’s important to have age-appropriate conversations about inequality and prepare children to become the next generation of adults who can bring justice to the world.

Indigenous people and communities are thriving today so ensure your kids see many positive examples of present-day Indigenous success stories, characters, and real-life people. Make sure the stories they’re exposed to aren’t just about overcoming racism and trauma—introduce happy, successful, relatable storylines. There is also not one “pan-Indigenous” identity. It’s therefore also important to demonstrate that there are hundreds of Indigenous nations, each with their own language, culture, traditions, and relationships with the land and other nations.

We need to activate our children’s sense of fairness and empathy. When age-appropriate, if discussing historical injustices, we should always aim to double the amount of positive, modern-day representation of any group whose oppression we’re discussing. That way, the overall proportion of what kids take in won’t inadvertently emphasize trauma narratives. Also, choose language that puts the accountability on the people who did the harm, not the people who experienced it.

It’s important to acknowledge negative feelings but don’t dwell on them. These are hard, unfair situations, and in some ways, many of these same injustices continue today in a different form. It’s healthy and authentic for kids to see that you feel bad about them, but the goal isn’t to have them wallow in feelings of guilt or sadness.

The chief goal is to empower our children to strive for justice in the world. So, whenever you discuss injustice, always empower children by moving forward into concrete action. The power of resistance and involving your children in these actions will empower them, preparing them to be caring, engaged citizens who will help repair harm and build a more equitable world.

We must embrace our noble heritage as our cultural richness is our strength. Together we have the power to shape a better future. Be the change.


RESOURCES:
If you know someone interested in gaining a greater familiarity with Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationships - the University of Alberta offers a free 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies (https://www.ualberta.ca/admissions-programs/online-courses/indigenous-canada/index.html). The course explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course examines the complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism

#Be the Change

The Legacy of Black Elk

Nicholas Black Elk was a famous Lakota (Sioux) Indian spiritual leader and medicine man who lived from 1863 to 1950. He was born into the Oglala Lakota tribe on the Great Plains of North America, in what is now South Dakota. Black Elk played a significant role in preserving and sharing indigenous wisdom and culture.

Black Elk is best known for his book "Black Elk Speaks,"[1] which was published in 1932. In this book, he recounted his life experiences, including his visions and spiritual journey. His writings provide valuable insights into Lakota spirituality, their understanding of the interconnectedness of all things, and their deep reverence for the natural world.

Black Elk's visions and spiritual journey were the foundation of his teachings and influenced his understanding of the world and his role within it. According to his account in "Black Elk Speaks," he had his first visionary experience when he was just nine years old. In this vision, he was taken to the spirit world and encountered the "Six Grandfathers" (spirits representing the sacred directions), who bestowed upon him spiritual gifts and guidance.

Throughout his life, Black Elk received several more visions and revelations, which he believed were messages from the divine. These visions often had themes of unity, connection, and the importance of living in harmony with all aspects of creation. His visions guided him in his spiritual practices and shaped his understanding of the human experience and the role of indigenous people.

One of Black Elk's most profound visions occurred during a time of personal crisis in his late teens. In this vision, known as the Great Vision, he saw a representation of the sacred hoop of his people being broken and the buffalo disappearing. This vision symbolized the decline and upheaval faced by many indigenous nations due to colonization and suggested the need for spiritual revival and cultural preservation.

Black Elk's vision also revealed to him the importance of the hoop of all nations coming together in unity, embracing their unique traditions, and supporting each other for the betterment of humanity. He believed that healing and balance could be achieved by restoring this unity and bringing harmony to the world.

As a young man, Black Elk participated in key historical events, such as the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876 and the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. These events had a profound impact on his understanding of the struggles and displacement faced by his people due to settler colonialism.

Throughout his life, Black Elk travelled widely, sharing his spiritual teachings and participating in ceremonies and rituals. Black Elk incorporated the teachings and symbolism from his visions into his role as a spiritual leader. He conducted ceremonies, shared his insights, and acted as a bridge between his people and the wider world, striving to maintain the spiritual and cultural connections that had been eroded by colonialism. 

He promoted an understanding between his people and non-Native communities and his efforts contributed to both the preservation of Lakota traditions and preserving indigenous knowledge and culture.

Kȟuŋšiyetuŋpi tuŋšiyokšičiya opičiyapi

#BlackElk #Lakota #

[1] Black Elk Speaks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Elk_Speaks