Governance
Indigenous Governance is equivalent to Natural laws, the Creator, our Ceremony and Prayers.
In our Culture the whole Idea of
Reciprocity
was also a very sacred teaching that we practice. And that idea of reciprocity needs to be shared, needs to be practiced at all levels, with the many communities, with the organizations as well. When it comes to intellectual property we need to be given credit for sharing our thoughts, for sharing our ideas as well. If you want to share that story in the future, publicly, or with your family, you’ll always make a reference to where that story comes from. Say, for example, “My uncle shared this story with me,” and you’ll name that. So you give your uncle that credit because the story came from your uncle. And that’s how practices and protocols operate within our culture.”
- Alice Kaquitts
Why is it important to protect sacred stories/intellectual property?
While the Elders Knowledge Circle Society has shared content in this handbook, in their book, and in their video, not all shared knowledge or ceremonies can or should be documented. Face-to-face discussions, following protocol, are encouraged to explain how the information will be documented and utilized. Traditional Teachings must also be protected from cultural appropriation. Should you re-tell a Grandparent’s story or experience, it is always best to acknowledge them by name.
Our culture comes from the spirit, so knowing that practices and protocols are what protects our Intellectual Property, such as songs, through those practices, so we’ve always had a belief and our own version and understanding of Intellectual Property.”
- Alice Kaquitts
Indigenous Governance is equivalent to Natural laws, the Creator, our Ceremony and Prayers. The Smudge always comes first, and Indigenous jurisdiction comes from the Creator.
The Elders knowledge is protected by the Smudge or Pipe with parallels with written contracts to protect the knowledge of the Elders Knowledge Circle Society.
Oral Policies: Smudge, Stories, Songs, Pipe, Language, the People and the Circle we follow. As Indigenous People we believe in Creator’s power, the Smudge and our Spirit is tied to the Smudge. If we misappropriate our oral policies there are consequences to those actions. Eg. Treaty Songs are held by Knowledge Keepers who have been transferred the rights to carry and sing those Songs.
When you make reference to Intellectual Property, in our worldview, intellectual often refers to the thoughts, the ideas, and in our world these ideas may come in many different forms. Say, for example, ideas, thoughts, dreams, often come through dreams.”
- Alice Kaquitts
Elders Knowledge Circle: Video seriesAlice Kaquitts
What is indigenous intellectual properties?
Indigenous + Western Paths
moving in parallel
WHAT DOES BEING A GOOD RELATIVE MEAN AND LOOK LIKE?
To be a Good Relative is how do we survive together how do we work to survive. The trees and the dirt and the animals and the birds, they are made from the same magic dust. They give their lives to help us to survive how do we help them how do we include them in our Smudge, in our prayers to Creator so that they also have a good life.”
- Rose Crowshoe
IF I AM NOT INDIGENOUS, I CAN CONSIDER MY RESPONSIBILITY TO SHOW UP AS A WITNESS, A LEARNER, AND A LISTENER.
Sitting, listening, making space, interacting, and building relationships with Grandparents or Knowledge Keepers requires humility, patience, and respect. Since the beginning of colonization, Western society has been very extractive, taking knowledge, wisdom, stories, ceremonies, and more for its own benefit.
Elders Knowledge Circle: Video seriesRose Crowshoe
Why is the elders story project so important?
Just being, kind, in our word
Kimmapipitsin
means kindness for everybody, for the Plants, the universe, for people, everybody.”
- Rose Crowshoe
