Words from Elders in the academic context: Explorations of learning


Sophie M. Lavoie, University of New Brunswick; Margaret M. Kress, University of New Brunswick

Within the context of the TRC's Calls to Action, many university communities are turning towards Elders to augment their curricular offerings, with the inherent tensions this choice brings. This paper will explore the possibilities and limits of learning and exchange through the example of a case study of a Land-Based academic course held in Mi'kmaki. During this course, graduate students visited various Indigenous communities in the territory to receive teachings and learn from generous Elders, on and off the land about aspects of Mi'kmaw worldviews. Ceremony, language, culture and livelihood embody the storied experience and the sub/conscious reflection and action of students and faculty. We will present and analyse how these critical exchanges took place and how communication challenges faced by those who conceptualized the academic experience, impacted themselves, the Elders and the students. At the forefront of the discussion will be the inherent friction between the Western-based academic system and the community-based oral nature of the Elder's knowledge and sharing.

This paper will be presented at the following session: