Photo credit : Shuana Niessen
Emerging Elder-in-Residence
Emerging Elder , Cree knowledge keeper , storyteller , musician , and artist , Joseph Naytowhow did a residency at the University of Regina with the Elementary Education Program as part of PLACE from January 26 to February 6 . Joseph is knowledgeable of treaty , oral history , storytelling , protocol and much more . He was at the U of R to work with faculty , sessionals , and students in the Year 3 of the elementary program . Joseph made himself available and accessible to students who wanted to talk with
him . The following are excerpts from those interviews .
Brandi Ottenbreit : Interview with Joseph Naytowhow
What influence does place have on your identity ? “ It is a big question . Place is where you need to be . When the Cree people were placed out here , it was because it was a place that they could thrive , as a people , as a culture , where they could practice their ways . They were given exactly the place that they needed to be . That is how we understand it . We are blessed by the Creator , a kind God , to live where we are . The direct translation from Cree is that we are literally ' dropped into this place .' That is one way of understanding place and that is where your identity would come from .”
What can we learn from the land ? “ For me , because we have a relationship based on the language , the land replenishes us , in different ways , whether it is food or whether we just need to have some time to ourselves .
As a child , I learned that land will provide the medicines for physical , mental , or spiritual disease . I learned that in the early stages of my life . The land is a very important place where you go to perform ceremonies – outdoors . You can make a good life out of understanding the land and what it has to give .
If you have a relationship with the land , as your mother , which is how I was raised , you have a unique relationship , so you take care of this land . You don ’ t destroy it in any way , which probably happens today , as it has happened since the day I was born . If you don ’ t respect the land , it won ’ t provide you with what you need or with what your children need in the future . You have to really take care to honour and respect the land . Before you take anything you offer something , whether it be tobacco or prayer .
I was asked as a child , ' What would you like to be when you grow up ? Bus driver , fire truck driver , police officer ?' Hmmmmm . That didn ’ t make much sense to me . I ’ m not sure what I want to be . I just want to be at peace . I just want to be happy . Why do you have to be something to determine who you are ? I learned much later in life the things that are important to who I am , that I walk this land and I am given what I ’ m given from the land , and whatever I ’ m given , I share with the rest of the world . It is not for me to hang on to .” �
Meagan Dobson : Reflects on her interview with Joseph Naytowhow
“ During our conversation , I asked Joseph if he would be willing to share some insight surrounding ways in which to teach about challenging ( discomforting ) topics in a middle years classroom . His response was geared towards kind and gentle teaching , specifically using the arts as a way to communicate content and experience . This was something that I had not previously considered and I am wondering why I have overlooked this approach . As Joseph continued to share his personal narrative and pedagogy , I felt strong emotions welling up from within myself — I was honoured to receive this knowledge and greatly appreciated his courage to share his experience . Joseph speaks of his experiences with such eloquence and forgiveness . Despite all of the unfortunate things that have occurred in his life , he is dedicated to creating a future filled with love and respect for all people . Joseph ’ s pedagogy moves far beyond an “ us and them ” mentality ( I think this perspective is something that ALL educators … going even further , ALL PEOPLE … could benefit from embracing ), which I think is vital if we are to meaningfully move forward , united as one – through the process of healing and reconciliation . His selfless demeanour was inspiring ; he shared with us that ' out of tragedy comes beauty '– an empowering statement that reinforces the importance of resilience and something I will keep with me as I continue navigating through the challenges in my journey .
Thank you , Joseph for sharing your narrative with me — your words will continue to inspire the ways in which I learn and live . I will share your teachings with my future students as a way to honour your story ." �
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