The Sun Dance: Connecting with the Children (Media and the Great Debate)

A controversy has erupted in Manitoba. The first time since the 1960s a Sundance ceremony has been recorded. There have been many negative and positive comments about this. APTN the Canadian National Aboriginal TV Network did a three part mini series in June 2013. What are some of the reasons against or for sharing the Sundance ceremony?

At the end of the Sundance with my boys

In the 19th century up until the mid 20th century many of the traditional ceremonies were recorded both in word, but visually with photos and later in video. Many of those doing this recording were anthropologists, Indianophiles and in the 1950s and 60s Indigenous peoples themselves. There was a tendency after the 1900s to start hiding the ceremonies because religious officials and government agents would take children during the ceremonies and they had been declared illegal both in Canada and the United States. 

To see the video

The Principles of Tsawalk: An Indigenous Approch to Global Crisis

Dr Atleo

This is a podcast conversation with Umeek / Dr E Richard Atleo about his new book Principles of Tsawalk: An Indigenous Approach to Global Crisis.

Dr Atleo discusses his world view of the Nuu-chah-nulth. It is the idea of interrelationship between all life forms; human, plants and animals. Tsawalk means one and this idea allows people to regard ideas of social, political, economics, constitutional, environmental and philosophy in both the material and meta-physical worlds as a whole. He offers profound criticism of Western science and the way we are dividing the world. 

 For Dr Atleo there is a current global crisis, but many still believe they can shut themselves off from the world. Dr Atelo presents a very well defined world view that brings into question the idea that we can be separate from our environment both physical and metaphysical.  There is a need to have greater understanding of different ways of viewing the world and the reality we have created. 

I can see the book being a challenge to those who are not familiar with a holistic perspective of the world. Tsawalk will have greater resonance with people already working in the Indigenous field. This is a shame because the book would greatly benefit politicians, leaders of corporations and military leaders allowing them to better understand their actions and the effects it has on people and the world around them. 

Perhaps someone should send a copy to PM Harper. Who knows, it might keep him up at night or help him sleep.
Office of the Prime Minister (free postage)
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

To Learn More: (interview & podcast)

Part I: broadcast June 17, 2013
http://archive.org/details/RichardAtleoMixdownMp3  

Part II: broadcast June 24, 2013

https://archive.org/details/1stDraftMixdown 

Citations

Dr Michael Hart: Canada Research Chair in Social Work

This is a conversation with Dr Michael Hart (Fisher River Cree Nation) of the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. Dr Hart discussed his research into aging, elder’s experiences and graduated student’s experiences. He also discusses his important work in the field of ethics surrounding Indigenous peoples and how and why ethics in research is of prime importance to all peoples. Dr Hart was recently appointed a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledges and Social Work at the University of Manitoba.  

Dr Hart's Research Interests:

Indigenous Ways of Practice; Mental Health and Indigenous People; Oppression, Colonization, and Resistance; Anti-colonialism and Indigenism; Disparities in Health and Social Services; Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenist Research Methodologies; families and fathering.

To Learn More:
http://archive.org/details/DrMichaelHartCanadaResearchChairInSocialWork
Citations

APA

Ouellette, Robert-Falcon. (Director) (2011. December 19). At the Edge of Canada: Indigenous Research. Dr Michael Hart: Canada Research Chair in Social Work [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.attheedgeofcanada.com  

MLA

Ouellette, Robert-Falcon, dir. "Dr Michael Hart: Canada Research Chair in Social Work ." At the Edge of Canada: Indigenous Research.. N.p., 19 2011. web. December 19, 2011. < http://www.attheedgeofcanada.com ›