In the Words of our Ancestors: Métis Health and Healing

111 Pages·2008·2.64 MB·English

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TheMétisCentreisanational,non-profit,Métis-controlledcentreoftheNationalAboriginalHealth n
d
Organization (NAHO). The Métis Centre is dedicated to improving the mental, physical, spiritual, H
e
emotional and social health of all Métis in Canada. We are a centre devoted to promoting Métis a
l
i
n
healthissuesthroughpubliceducationandhealthpromotion. g
The Métis Centre has adopted and refined NAHO’s objectives to reflect, from a population health
perspective,theuniquehealthresearchandpolicyneedsofMétis.Ourobjectivesaretoimproveand
promote the health of Métis in Canada through knowledge-based activities; to promote health
issuespertainingtoMétisthroughcommunicationsandpubliceducationactivities;tofacilitateand
promoteresearch,anddevelopresearchpartnerships,relatingtohealthissuesofMétis;tofoster
therecruitment,retention,trainingandutilizationofMétisintheAboriginalworkforceinthedelivery
ofhealthcare;andtoaffirmtraditionalhealingpracticesthroughvalidatingholistictraditionalpractices
andmedicinesandensuringsuchpracticesreceiverecognition.
MétisCentre
NationalAboriginalHealthOrganization
220LaurierAvenueWest,Suite1200
Ottawa,Ontario K1P5Z9
Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll-Free: 877.602.4445
Dedication to Marion Larkman
OAAPH[knownastheNationalAboriginalHealthOrganization(NAHO)]
receivesfundingfromHealthCanadatoassistittoundertakeknowledge-based
activities,includingeducation,researchanddisseminationofinformationto
promote health issues affecting Aboriginal Peoples. However, the contents
and conclusions of this report are solely that of the authors and are not
attributable,inwholeorinpart,toHealthCanada.
Copiesofthispublicationmaybeobtainedbycontacting:
MétisCentre
NationalAboriginalHealthOrganization
220LaurierAvenueWest,Suite1200
Ottawa,OntarioK1P5Z9 ThisbookisdedicatedtoMarionLarkman(1926-2006).
Phone: [phone] MarionwasknownacrossCanadaasa‘Grandmotherof theMétisNation’.Even
Toll-free: 1-877-602-4445 though she has passed on,many consider her ever-present.The knowledge she
Fax: [phone] sharedandthestoriesshetoldliveon.Marionwasalwayseagertoshare,notonly
Email: [email protected]
theknowledgeofherancestors,butalsotheknowledgethatshefeltsheacquired
Website: www.naho.ca/metiscentre
from her children and grandchildren. As an Elder, she was passionate about
engagingwithyouth.
ISBN978-0-9809579-1-4
©2008MétisCentreatNAHO
SomememoriesofMarion:
Pleaseciteusingthefollowingformat:
“MarionLarkmanwasamentor,comradeandadearfriend. Shepresentedmea
MétisCentre,NationalAboriginalHealthOrganization(2008).
beadedbadgewiththelettersN.V.,NativeVeteran,andabeadedpoppyonit.”
InTheWordsofOurAncestors: MétisHealthandHealing.
Ottawa: NationalAboriginalHealthOrganization. —EarlScofield
Design&Layout “AlloftheEldershadagreattimeatBatocheinJuly,2005(duringalaunchof
BeatStudios theoriginalMétisEldersandtraditionalknowledgebooklet.)Iremember
www.beatstudios.ca MarionLarkmansaying,‘Ifeellikeamoviestar’,signingthebooklet.Itwasa
greatprivilegetogettoknowherandalsoalltherestoftheElders.Wehavegrown
tobeabigfamily.” —AlmaDesjarlais
In the Words of Our Ancestors:
Métis Health and Healing
table of contents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .....................................................................................................................5
PREFACE.........................................................................................................................................7
MÉTIS THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES .................................................................................................8
METHODOLOGY ..............................................................................................................................10
CHAPTER 1 — SHARING OUR GIFTS: MÉTIS ELDERS AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ...........................13
CHAPTER 2 — LIVING MICHIF: LII MICHIF NIIYANAAN.......................................................................29
CHAPTER 3 — MÉTIS WOMEN AND FAMILIES: WE GOT A MOOSE, MOM!.............................................55
CHAPTER 4 — LAND AND WATER: EVERY LIVING THING NEEDS WATER...............................................83
AFTERWORD.................................................................................................................................107
INDEX .........................................................................................................................................109
PHOTO CREDITS ...........................................................................................................................112
MÉTIS HEALTH AND HEALING 3
Acknowledgements
“I would like to thank you right from my
heart, for what you have done for us, to
bring us in a circle like this, to talk about
life, to discuss everything.”
—FrancisDumais
The Métis Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization supported a series of Métis
Elders’gatheringsheldbetween2003and2006.Anoutcomeofthesegatheringsisthisverybook,
IntheWordsofOurAncestors:MétisHealthandHealing.
The Métis Centre would like to thank all the Elders who attended and shared their wisdom with
us at the Métis Elders’ gatherings: Angus Beaulieu, Rose Boyer, Angie Crerar, Albert Desjarlais,
AlmaDesjarlais,FrancisDumais,FrancisFisher,MarionLarkman,MichelMaurice,TomMcCallum,
JackMcIvor,MarileeNault,EarlScofieldandLorraineTordiff.
ManythanksareduetoanumberofexpertguestswhoparticipatedintheMétisElders’gatherings:
Rita Flamand, Sonny Flett, George Fleury, Norman Fleury, George McDermott, Rose Richardson,
ElmerRoss,GraceZoldy,LauraBurnoufandKaronShmon.
The project facilitators were Lois Edge and Tricia Logan. Sara Fryer and Tricia Logan were the
editorsofthisbook.TheMétisCentreisdeeplygratefulfortheirhardworkanddedicationtothis
importantproject.
MÉTIS HEALTH AND HEALING 5
Preface
“We can say we are sharing ‘the words of
our ancestors.’ These are the teachings of
our ancestors. Our ancestors taught us
to do it this way.”
—TomMcCallum
ThisbookcontainsthewordsofMétisancestors The Métis Elders stressed that awareness of
and Elders from the past and present. The historical, cultural and Aboriginal language
narrative form is used to share conversations perspectives must be attained to better under-
theEldershadwitheachotherandtherestofus standtraditionalculturalprotocols.MétisElders
abouttraditionalknowledge.Thiswastheirwish. tell us that Métis health and well-being is
dependent on the land and water as well as
A series of Métis Elders’ gatherings were held a wide range of social, cultural, political and
between 2003 and 2006 to recognize, share, economicinfluences;allofwhichinformMétis
protect,affirm,useandrevitalizeMétistraditional traditional health knowledge. The following
health and healing knowledge and practices. themesemergedfromElders’discussionsabout
Thewisdomthatwasgraciouslysharedatthese traditional knowledge and are explored in
historic meetings is the basis for this book, IntheWordsofOurAncestors:
In the Words of Our Ancestors: Métis Health and
Healing.MétisEldersaskedtheMétisCentre“to 1. revisitingMétishealthandhealing;
sift through” the knowledge and “present it in 2. livingMichif;
a way that is respectful of everybody who has 3. theimportanceofMétiswomenand
contributed.” It is hoped that In the Words of familiestocommunityhealth;and
OurAncestorsmanagesthisfeat. 4. landandwaterascentraltoMétis
healthandwellness.
The teachings that emerged from the
conversationstheEldershadandtheirpurpose BydiscussingMétistraditionalhealthknowledge
insharingknowledgevariesdependingonwhom with each other, the Elders agreed that this
youspeakto.Forexample,FrancisDumaistells collaborationenhancedtheirhealthandallowed
ushispurposeforsharingknowledge: them to contribute to health and healing in
theircommunities.Itishopedthatthissharing
Thisbookthatweareputtingtogether,itisnot of Métis traditional health knowledge may,
justgoingtobeforalittlewhile.Itisgoingtobe in turn, contribute to the health of future
foralongtime,foryearstocomeintothefuture. generations.
Itcanbeusedespeciallybyyoungpeople.
—FrancisDumais,November2006
MÉTIS HEALTH AND HEALING 7
PREFACE
Métis Theoretical Perspectives
“Knowledge is no good if it’s not shared.”
—GeorgeFleury
The Métis Elders gatherings were originally
designed to share traditional knowledge and
inform the Métis Centre on guiding principles
foraMétishealthframework.Thesegatherings
provided the Centre with content and
guidance for their health research and also
helpedtobuildadialogueonconductingMétis-
specific research. The Elders represented every of the endangerment of the Michif language
Métis region in Canada and each helped to andtheyworktoencourageMétistolearnfrom
inform the Métis Centre on the needs of their oralhistories,traditionalknowledgeandElders
ownMétiscommunities. intheircommunity.
Whiletherewereseveralregionalvariationsin Elders have a critical role to play in
traditions,language,customsandwaysofsharing passing on traditional knowledge.
knowledge,therewerealsoseveralsharedbeliefs KnowledgesharedbyEldersinMétiscommunities
that helped to create a theoretical framework. is held in the highest regard. The Elders/old
The following understandings about Métis people’sroleinMétiscommunitiesis,inpart,to
research involving Elders and traditional keepandtoshareoralhistoriesandtraditional
knowledgearosefromthegatherings: knowledge.
Old people know Métis history We must pass Métis traditional
and the Michif languages. knowledge on because some of it is
Elders are strong advocates of a language and becoming scarce.
culture perspective. Elders and seniors are in Elders,especiallythoseinvolvedinthisresearch,
somecasestheonlyspeakersofMichifandMétis arewellawareofhowessentialitistoacknowledge
languages.Sincetheyareamongtheonlyspeakers, thescarcityofMétistraditionalknowledgeand
they are also often the only people who hold thestateofendangeredlanguages,likeMichif.
the stories and histories transmitted through Elders that attended the gatherings informed
thoselanguages.AnagingpopulationinMétis the Métis Centre’s health content but they
communitiesholdsmuchofMétishistoryand always reinforced the critical importance of
language. Métis Elders and teachers are aware passingonthecontenttoothers.
8 IN THE WORDS OF OUR ANCESTORS
PREFACE
Honour the knowledge and the
memories of relatives who gave
us this wisdom.
Eldersreinforcedthatagreatdealofthestories,
oralhistoriesandtraditionalknowledgepassed
onisanaccumulationofknowledgefromtheir
ancestors.TheEldersoftenspecificallyreferenced
theirownparentsandgrandparentsinstories.
By attributing the accumulation of knowledge
to specific family members, they wished to
honour the memory of their parents, grand-
parents and families, as well as the knowledge
itself.
Métis cultural practices are diverse.
Protocols for approaching and inviting Elders
were accepted and/or adapted to suit the
individuals at each of the four gatherings due
tothediversityofMétistraditionalknowledge
practices.Staffmembersandmeetingattendees
shared expectations and teachings with one
anotherandprotocolsthatwereobservedatthese
traditionalknowledgemeetingswereadaptedto
meettheexpectationsofeachgroup.Protocols
changed from meeting to meeting but in all
cases,giftswerepresentedandappreciationfor methodsandintegrationofseveralstylesallowed
theknowledgetobesharedwasacknowledged. for an original Métis style of conducting
traditional knowledge research. This often
Elders provided the framework occurredspontaneouslybutitcanbeconsidered
for every gathering. to be a truly ‘Métis’ method; re-creating,
Elders adapted the format and content of the adapting and reformulating a style that best
meetings. Essentially, staff re-designed each suited Métis interests. Métis are known for
meetingformatforeachgroupbasedontheir working with what they are given and
requests.Useofthemostlogicalandacceptable maintainingtheirdistinctivestyle.
MÉTIS HEALTH AND HEALING 9
PREFACE
Methodology
“This book we are putting together,
it is not just going to be for a little while.
It is going to be for a long time, for years
to come, into the future. It can be used
especially for young people.”
—FrancisDumais
Territories and Métis Settlements of Alberta.
Métis Elders gatherings A total of 21 participants who self-identified
The2002MétisHealthPolicyForumidentified as Elders, seniors and/or healers attended
arealneedtobringMétisElderstogetherfrom these gatherings between 2003 and 2006.
throughout Canada to discuss Métis-specific Fifteen participants were identified by their
traditional health knowledge. By 2003, the respective provincial Métis organizations and
Métis Centre started to plan a series of Elders’ sixothersattendedbasedupontheirextensive
gatherings.Withguidancefrommembersofthe knowledgeofaparticulartopic.
MétisCentre’smemberorganizations,anumber
of Elders were identified to participate in a Métis cultural protocols
seriesofMétisElders’gatheringsheldbetween TheMétisCentreasked if culturalprotocolsas
2003and2006. practiced by some of the Métis Elders during
the initial planning meetings could be used
Planning meetings were initially held with throughout the four Métis Elders’ gatherings.
Elders from across Canada to develop a method After a thorough discussion, as well as sharing
and framework to conduct this research on experiences and understandings of traditional
traditional health and healing knowledge. practices,thegroupcametoagreement.Certain
Thesemeetingswereinstrumentalinidentifying cultural protocols were observed when and
specific themes that the Elders wanted to wheretheyweredeemedtobemostappropriate.
explore.Afterwards,Elders’gatheringsrelatedto
health and healing, Michif language, women During the initial meetings a talking circle
andfamilyandlandandwaterwereplanned. approachwasadoptedtoencouragediscussion
Those Elders that had expertise or interest in andensureequalopportunitiesforparticipation.
aparticulartopicareawereaskedtoattend. Everyonewasinvitedtoparticipateinopening
and closing prayers, purification or smudging
These four Métis Elders’ gatherings brought ceremonies, talking or sharing circles, pipe
togetherMétisfromruralandurbanareasacross ceremonies,theofferingoftobaccoandcloth,
thecountryincluding:BritishColumbia,Alberta, and at one meeting, a sweat lodge ceremony.
Saskatchewan,Manitoba,Ontario,theNorthwest Initially, some of the practices and protocols
10 IN THE WORDS OF OUR ANCESTORS
PREFACE
wereneworslightlyunfamiliartosome Elders. In some cases, the Elders gave direct guidance
Ateachmeeting,thegroupworkedto find the ontheprotocolsthatshouldbefollowedduring
bestforthatsettingandgroup. the proceedings, while in other meetings the
staff decided ahead of time what would be
Based on decisions made at the initial Elders deemed appropriate and the Elders agreed to
gatherings, protocols at the smaller working theformatbeforethebeginning.Eldersateach
groups were created based on the needs and of the four gatherings were presented with a
requestsofeachgroup.Appropriateprocedures writtenagendaandformatforthemeetingand
for inviting Elders, obtaining consent, making atthattimetheyeitherrejectedoracceptedthe
offerings for shared knowledge, prayers and format for the gathering. For example, during
sharingcircleswerefolloweddifferentlyateach the ‘health and healing’ gathering, the Elders
of the four meetings. Staff members made requested that staff change the format and
decisionsonwhatprocedureswouldbefollowed content of the meeting in order to more
andbasedtheirdecisionsonwhowasinvolved appropriately conduct their teachings on the
andtheknowledgetheyweregoingtobesharing. subject.
MÉTIS HEALTH AND HEALING 11