MNIDOO MNISING—Youths from Mnidoo Mnising travelled to Aotearoa (New Zealand) and presented at the International Indigenous Research Conference from November 12 to 15. The Maori hosted this academic conference, which took place at the University of Auckland. A welcoming ceremony was held in the Waipapa Marae, a Maori ceremonial building located on campus and kicked off this four-day conference.
Before the conference, one group developed a graphic poster that illustrated their findings, which was shared with the Elders they interviewed. Nevada Anwhatin, Kristen McGregor, Kyanna Sinclair-McKeever and Miles Sutherland described their experiences interviewing Elders about intellectual property rights.
During her presentation, Kyanna Sinclair-McKeever stated, “It was crucial for us to communicate to the Elders that this project respects their wisdom and recognizes the importance of protecting our cultural knowledge.” This emphasis on the Elders’ wisdom instills a deep sense of respect and appreciation for their knowledge.
Ensuring free, prior and informed consent was critical to the interview process. The youth interviewers conveyed this to the Elders at the start of each interview. Once they received knowledge, Kristen McGregor noted, “As learners, we have a responsibility for the knowledge we learn including earning, respecting, and safely transferring the knowledge that we are given.” The appropriation and misuse of intellectual property is a concern shared by Anishinaabek knowledge carriers.
Miles Sutherland summarized the Elders’ thoughts about losing cultural knowledge: “There was an overwhelming concern about losing [knowledge] and sharing it. What I mean by that is, when you share it, how is it going to be used and will it be exploited? Losing it in the sense that if you don’t share it then it gets lost.” Navigating the tension between preventing the loss of knowledge and sharing it can be challenging for both Elders and learners.
Nevada Anwhatin concluded their presentation by saying: “It’s important to listen to the Elders you visit with and ask these questions. Can we share and who can we tell? Most of the time, what the Elders share is meant for you. Other times, they will let you know what’s okay to share.” The audience asked the youths questions when they finished, indicating high interest in their well-timed, polished presentation.
Another youth group, including Dionovan Grosbeck, Hillary McGregor, Sterling McGregor, Noah Verhoeff and Nevada Anwhatin, described a board game they created called ‘Gnaaji-wiinge: Anishnaabeg Life Path Resource.’ Based on the Little Roads Teachings, the game serves as a powerful tool to reinforce Anishinaabek identity, values and well-being among young people. Hillary McGregor explained the game’s purpose, “If you know where you came from, if you know who you are, why you’re here, what your purpose is, then you will have a positive vision for the future. You have hope and you can be well.”
The game takes players along the path of life as they work together to resolve challenges. Sterling McGregor described the shkiniijig stage as when young people spend time with Elders and learn about their responsibilities. Sterling shared her personal experience about being in the next life stage called babaayajig, “For me, I’m in the wandering stage of my life and this meant leaving my home community of Whitefish River First Nation and moving 4,000 kilometres away from home to attend the University of British Columbia. This was jarring and completely different from the life I had lived for my first 18 years. Being away really allowed me to realize what was important to me. I was away from my family so I realized how much they supported me. I was away from the land so I realized how much it means to be on the land that knows you, that cares for you, that connects you to all the generations that come before you.”
Nevada Anwhatin, a Wiikwemkoong artist, created the board game images. Nevada described the Woodland style of art as being based on Anishinaabe traditions and stories. She stated, “The flowers represent growth and the new generations. For the rest of the board game and the cards, I put my own artistic style onto it.” The result is a visually appealing board game that is played collaboratively. This is in stark contrast to other types of board games that focus on winning.
Anishinaabe academics mentoring the youths working on the intellectual property rights research project include Dr. Susan Manitowabi, Dr. Deborah McGregor, Dr. Lorrilee McGregor and Dr. Cindy Peltier. Lorrilee McGregor is the principal investigator on a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council research grant. Dr. Deborah McGregor, a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice, mentors the youths working on the board game.
by Lorrilee McGregor
