Latest news with #IndigenousKnowledge
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Vancouver's growing marine traffic is putting Indigenous canoe culture at risk, says First Nations researcher
Marine researchers in British Columbia are weaving together traditional, Indigenous knowledge with science to protect the province's waters, and preserve a First Nations sport that holds deep cultural and historical significance. Leading the research is the Tsleil-Waututh Nation's Zoe George, a participant of Clear Seas' Indigenous Internship Program investigating the effects of marine traffic on Indigenous communities and their access to vital traditional territories and practices. At the centre of George's research is the cultural importance of canoeing to First Nations communities, and how the dwindling health of local marine ecosystems doesn't merely present a threat to nature but to the cultural identity and connection to the environment of local First Nations. 'There is a part of war canoeing that is like being a living culture, there are a lot of spiritual and Indigenous epistemologies that go along with war canoe culture and that's been since time immemorial,' says George. 'But then you have parts of colonialism and secular colonialism that really changed parts of war canoeing, and what that is for us.' George nods to the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) North Vancouver Canoe Club who struggle to access the shoreline at Sen̓áḵw, an area historically home to the nation. 'Where they paddle from they have to weave around huge ships, huge shipping containers, and it's actually quite dangerous for them to be paddling there, but it's the only place that they have access close to their home and to their reserve,' she says. George, who typically paddles every day for six months of the year, says there are around 30 different First Nations communities in the Lower Mainland alone hosting races and training throughout the year who would be impacted by a rise in marine traffic. 'It's a very big community,' she says. George's research is the basis of an exhibit at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, táywilh | snəxʷəɬ, designed to promote reconciliation and share the rich history and cultural significance of Coast Salish canoeing with the wider public. Ensuring there is ample education for the wider public on the importance of canoeing to First Nations communities is the first step towards protecting Indigenous culture for future generations, she says. 'Just having the public be interested in, and knowing and understanding the truth behind what we're living through means a lot, and a step forward in the right direction.'
CBC
08-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Aspiring Indigenous 'wise women' become UNESCO chairs to promote traditional knowledge
Social Sharing Two Indigenous women from opposite sides of the globe are partnering together with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to protect Indigenous knowledge and move toward matriarchal values to achieve that goal. Scholars Amy Parent and Sonajharia Minz will spend the next four years as the first UNESCO co-chairs in Transforming Indigenous Knowledge Research Governance and Rematriation. "I want to work with as many strong Indigenous women as possible," said Parent of her partnership with Minz. Parent, who is Nisga'a and her traditional name is Noxs Ts'aawit, said their plan is to focus on policy changes that allow Indigenous people to decide how research is conducted, what knowledge is shared, what language is used and who is involved in the process. Those priorities of respecting Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty also connect to rematriation: the process of returning stolen items while respecting matriarchal values. While Parent led the way in applying for the position with UNESCO, she approached Minz early on in the process thanks to elder and s cholar Lorna Williams who put the two in touch. Minz, a member of the Oroan Tribe which is one of over 700 Adivasi (Indigenous peoples) from India, said it was an "utter privilege" to have Williams recommend her to Parent. "First I was surprised, and second I was delighted," Minz said of being approached by Parent to apply for the position. "I not only consider it as a responsibility, but I consider it as a justice journey for four years." As a mathematician, computer scientist and traditional language speaker, Minz said she hopes to use some of her time as co-chair to build an archival system to provide opportunities for Indigenous people to access information — especially their own languages. "I think Indigenous people worldwide have had a common experience. India or Canada or New Zealand, no exceptions. Everywhere it has been the same," she said. Digital platforms for Indigenous languages could help preserve cultures, Minz said, but only if Indigenous data sovereignty is respected. She said in the past, colonizers reaped the benefits of natural resources and land that were stolen while Indigenous peoples did not. Today, she added, Indigenous people face the same effects of colonization with technology — particularly when it comes to language. Part of her work with Parent will focus on ensuring Indigenous people remain beneficiaries of their own knowledge, especially as it's used more and more often in the fight against climate change, she said. 'Storming the British Museum' Parent, who is an associate professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., and also Canada research chair in Indigenous education and governance, was part of the group that travelled to get a totem pole returned to Nisga'a territory from a Scottish museum in 2022. She said through that process she learned a lot about how museums and Indigenous people approach rematriation differently. Internationally, there's "no clear cut policy for the return of cultural belongings taken during times of genocide or colonial theft," according to Parent. She and Minz hope to change that. Parent said working within the UNESCO network has its advantages. "It is a really beautiful experience to be able to work with such a diverse group of people, but also to have such a strong communication network ready to support the work that we're doing," she said. "There's over 200 million tribal peoples in India and I'm thinking with those numbers and our experience of kicking down the door in Scotland, that we're going to have no problem storming the British Museum." While Minz and Parent come from different cultures, they share views about the importance of uplifting matriarchal values and practices. In some Advasi communities, women who uphold traditional knowledge and pass it on to future generations are called wise women, Minz said. She said she hopes to inspire more women to undertake this work. "I like to dream that the work that gets started… and that the knowledge systems and the self-determination gets louder. Maybe there'll be more UNESCO chairs," Minz said.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Real Canadians: Indigenous grandmothers pass teachings down to young mothers
Five Indigenous grandmothers are sharing traditional teachings with young Indigenous mothers to help give them and their children a healthy head start. The health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples is closely tied to cultural identity, which is established at a very young age. Residential schools and other colonization traumas disrupted the transfer of traditional knowledge, leading to long-lasting consequences to the physical and mental well-being of many Indigenous people in Canada. 'As a survivor of residential school, I lost all my connections to my culture, and I had no traditional parenting knowledge to share with my children,' explains Blackfoot Elder Jackie Bromley of the Kainai Blood Tribe, Treaty 7. 'Many younger people remain disconnected from their culture, and they don't know what they should do when they have a baby.' A group of five Indigenous women from Treaty 6, 7 and 8, and the Métis Nation of Alberta are working together in collaboration with University of Alberta researchers to develop a booklet to share traditional teachings and cultural practices with new Indigenous mothers. Elder Darlene Cardinal, Elder Lorraine Albert, Elder Muriel Lee, Elder Jackie Bromley and Knowledge Keeper Norma Spicer originally came together for a panel discussion at a health conference, but the group collectively felt there was more they could do. With the help of Dr. Stephanie Montesanti, associate professor with the University of Alberta's School of Public Health and funding from the Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), they formed the Grandmother's Wisdom Network and worked together to create a booklet of traditional teachings for new Indigenous mothers. 'Connection to culture through the sharing of traditional knowledge improves health and enhances wellness across generations as mothers share knowledge and traditions with their children,' Montesanti says. 'Supporting Indigenous children's development and well-being starts during pregnancy by helping mothers develop stronger connections to culture.' Grandmothers and Elders are highly respected in Indigenous communities. They have a vital role in preserving traditions, transmitting wisdom, and guiding communities by passing on traditional knowledge. 'There is no greater teacher in Cree culture than a kokum or grandmother,' explains Elder Muriel Lee of Ermineskin Cree Nation, Treaty 6. 'Grandmothers are the real knowledge keepers, and the Grandmothers' Wisdom Network has given each of us an avenue to share traditional knowledge.' Though traditional knowledge varies between cultures, all of the grandmothers share one common belief — that caring for a new life is a sacred duty. 'It's so important that we teach young mothers how to care for their children,' explains Elder Lee. 'Each of the grandmothers shares their knowledge in their own way. In Cree culture, we believe a child belongs to the Creator and is only on loan to the parent.' 'There is no greater teacher in Cree culture than a kokum or grandmother.' – Elder Muriel Lee Beginning in spring 2025, the grandmothers will provide the new booklet to Indigenous mothers and their families. Future work will involve health-care providers using the booklet to enhance understanding and awareness of cultural aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and early life among Indigenous Peoples. 'This has been the most meaningful and purposeful task I have undertaken in my life,' says Elder Lee. While working on this project, the grandmothers have supported each other, shared knowledge and discussed ways to share traditional knowledge in each of their respective communities. They plan to continue working together for the foreseeable future. Take Action: Do one thing that brings you personally closer to reconciliation. There are many options — have an Indigenous tourism experience, attend a powwow, or learn some Indigenous words used by people in your area. Debbie Olsen is an award-winning Métis writer and a national bestselling author. If you have an idea for a story that could be featured in Real Canadians, email realcanadians@
SBS Australia
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Guest Curator Shelley Ware selects her SBS On Demand favourites
Shelley Ware. Photo by Aaron Wan. Whether you're discovering these stories for the first time or reconnecting with them, Shelley hopes they inspire you and deepen your understanding of what it means to be on country, today and always. Explore Shelley Ware's Guest Curator Collection. These programs celebrate NAIDOC Week's 2025 theme: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy. To find out more about NAIDOC Week, check out Shelley's education resources on SBS Learn . Hosted by Rob Collins, 'The First Inventors' is a groundbreaking series that celebrates more than 65,000 years of innovation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You'll see how ancient knowledge and modern science come together to solve some of humanity's biggest challenges. The series explores how First Nations people shaped country and society, from transforming landscapes to building vast trade networks. These stories are full of resilience, ingenuity and inspiration, and show how Indigenous knowledge continues to influence and enrich our lives today. The First Inventors is now streaming at SBS On Demand . 'Rebel With a Cause' introduces us to four trailblazing First Nations Queenslanders who changed the course of history. Each episode shows how these remarkable individuals broke barriers and created new pathways for future generations. Through their personal journey of leadership and courage, we see what it takes to stand up for what's right. Be inspired by their vision and determination to make a difference for their communities and all Australians. Rebel With a Cause is now streaming at SBS On Demand . 'The Australian Wars' is a powerful documentary series presented by Rachel Perkins that uncovers the untold stories of the battles fought on Australian soil. This series explores the resistance of First Nations peoples during colonisation and the impact of these conflicts on our nation's history. Through interviews, reenactments and original documents, it reveals truths that have long been left out of mainstream narratives. It's essential viewing for everyone wanting to understand our shared history and the legacy of the Frontier Wars. The Australian Wars is now streaming at SBS On Demand . 'Our Medicine' follows First Nations doctors, nurses, and healers working on the front line of Australia's healthcare system. The series shows how they strive for better health in their communities, often overcoming significant challenges. Narrated by Leah Purcell, these stories are filled with dedication, care and triumph. You'll be inspired by the resilience and commitment of those working to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our Medicine is now streaming at SBS On Demand . In this episode of 'Living Black', we'll meet award winning musician Emily Warramurra. Emily shares her journey, her culture and the stories behind her music, giving us an intimate look at her creative process. The episode is all about creativity and strength through song. It's a truly inspiring conversation with one of our brightest talents. Emily Wurramara - Magic Woman Singing is now streaming at SBS On Demand . Emily Wurramara - Magic Woman Singing Discover the incredible story of legendary photojournalist Auntie Barbara McGrady in this episode of 'Living Black'. Auntie Barbara has spent decades capturing the activism, history and everyday life of First Nations peoples through her lens. Her work is driven by courage, passion and a deep commitment to truth-telling. Learn more about the woman behind these iconic images and her impact on our communities. Barbara McGrady - Photographic Philosopher is now streaming at SBS On Demand . Barbara McGrady - Photographic Philosopher 'The Point' is a long-running current affairs series on NITV. In this special episode we explore the fascinating world of Aboriginal astronomy. You'll learn how First Nations peoples have read the skies for thousands of years, using star knowledge for navigation, storytelling and cultural connection. This episode celebrates the deep relationship between country and the cosmos. It highlights the enduring power of science, culture and storytelling in our communities. The Point 's episode from Thursday August 16, 2018, is now streaming at SBS On Demand . SBS's award winning companion podcast. Join host Yumi Stynes for Seen, a new SBS podcast about cultural creatives who have risen to excellence despite a role-model vacuum.
The Guardian
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
‘Ayahuasca tourism' is a blight on Indigenous peoples and our environment
In the world of the Ecuadorian Amazon, humans, plants and animals are relatives, and ancient stories reflect real ecological relationships and Indigenous knowledge rooted in profound connections to the land. But one of those connections – ceremonial medicine known as hayakwaska – is now marketed as a mystical shortcut to healing and enlightenment. Behind the scenes of these 'healing retreats' lies a deeper story of cultural erasure, linguistic distortion and ongoing colonisation masked as wellness. The global popularity of 'ayahuasca' has given rise to a new form of spiritual tourism that romanticises and distorts Indigenous cultures. This growing industry fuels the exoticisation of Indigenous peoples, turning our languages, practices and identities into consumable fantasies for outsiders. Sacred rituals are stripped of context, spiritual roles are commercialised, and even the names of the plants are misused, reducing complex cultural systems into simplified, marketable experiences. Aya means the soul of a dead person, skeleton, or corpse. The term ayahuasca is a modern invention, largely used in spiritual tourism. In our language, we say 'hayakata upina' when referring to drinking hayakwaska. Hayak is a short form of hayakwaska and directly means bitter, so the translation means drinking the 'bitter vine'. In contrast, 'ayata upina' would mean 'to drink the soul of a dead person', which no one would say. For this reason, I will use the correct term: hayakwaska. Even the name of the medicine has been distorted. To understand it properly, one must understand our society, its structure, language and deep ties to the land. Unlike English or Spanish, Indigenous languages such as our Runashimi (Kichwa) are rooted in place. Like modern science, our knowledge is based on observation, but through relationships. We live through a social-emotional relationship with the land. In the rainforest, all beings, including humans and the more-than-human world, have roles and responsibilities. Although our yachaks (traditional healers) may treat individuals, their true role is to maintain balance within the community and among relationships between people, forests and all beings. Healing, in our worldview, is collective because we are all interconnected. When yachaks focus only on 'ayahuasca' tourism for profit, abandoning this sacred responsibility, we must ask: what have they become? Tourist-oriented healing centres often prioritise individual experiences, personal growth, ego work and private revelations, detached from community, land and reciprocity. When healing is stripped of its collective foundation, it no longer nourishes true awakening. Instead, it risks becoming a performance that elevates the self, not the whole, opposing the very essence of Indigenous healing, which is rooted in relationship, humility and shared wellbeing. It is not just sad, it is dangerous. When spiritual practices are altered to please outsiders, it shifts the very meaning of hayak and the relationship we have with it. These changes reshape how younger generations understand our traditions, not through lived experience or guidance from elders, but through performances tailored for tourism. What was once sacred, genuine and real becomes scripted. The danger lies not only in losing the essence of our ceremonies but in distorting our collective memory, values and roles. When healing becomes entertainment, and culture becomes spectacle, the spiritual thread that holds our community together begins to fray. Hayakwaska tourism is also a driver of illegal hunting practices. Traditional hunting is rooted in respect and reciprocity, but today commercial demand for animal parts threatens both species and Indigenous ways of life, and this growing tourism industry not only distorts culture but also fuels threats to biodiversity. Recent research highlights how jaguars, already a near threatened species, are being exploited to meet tourist demand. Items such as jaguar-tooth pendants and skin bracelets are sold as mystical enhancers of the ayahuasca experience, endangering both wildlife and sacred balance. Using Indigenous knowledge and medicine carries deep social and environmental responsibility. Without that responsibility, it becomes nothing more than extractivism, another form of colonialism dressed in spiritual language. The real question is: How are 'ayahuasca tourists' giving back? Are they supporting Indigenous rights, protecting ancestral lands, and standing with the people who safeguard this wisdom, often at great personal risk? Too many seek healing from Indigenous medicines while ignoring the lived realities of those who protect the plants, the knowledge, and the territories they come from. These communities continue their struggle amid threats from mining, oil extraction and agribusiness. If there is to be any true healing, it must include justice, reciprocity and solidarity with the people and the land from which this medicine grows. Inspired by their stories and our experiences, I, Nina, created Waska: The Forest is My Family. The film explores the exploitation of Indigenous peoples and the forest. As the granddaughter of a yachak, I wanted to share what it means to live connected to hayakwaska and the land. Nina Gualinga and Eli Virkina are both Indigenous women of the Ecuadorian Amazon, storytellers and land defenders
