Indigenous Knowledge, History, and Reconciliation: Key Concepts and Figures

Allegiance to Gratitude

From Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Potawatomi).

Expresses thankfulness to nature before taking or acting.

Humans are part of nature, not above it.

Encourages balance, gratitude, and sustainability.

Counters colonial ideas of dominance and ownership.

Colonization

Control and exploitation of Indigenous lands and peoples by Europeans.

Methods: Land seizure, suppression of language and ceremonies, residential schools.

Impacts: Loss of land, identity, and culture; intergenerational trauma.

Goal: Assimilation into colonial society.

Decolonization

Process of undoing colonial systems and restoring Indigenous ways of knowing.

Examples: Language revival, land reclamation, truthful education.

Restores cultural pride, sovereignty, and identity.

Both personal (learning truth) and political (system change).

The Indian Act (1876-Present)

Federal law created to assimilate and control Indigenous peoples.

Defined "status" and governed band councils/reserves.

Banned traditional ceremonies.

Created residential schools.

Still affects Indigenous governance and identity today.

Reciprocity

The principle of giving back for what you take.

Everything is connected—mutual respect for people, animals, and Earth.

Example: Offering tobacco when harvesting plants.

Ensures balance and gratitude.

Thanksgiving Address (Haudenosaunee)

Also called "Words That Come Before All Else."

A ceremonial greeting of thanks to all living beings: people, Earth, waters, plants, animals, sun, moon, and Creator.

Promotes unity, gratitude, and respect for creation.

Reflects balance and interconnectedness.

Doctrine of Discovery

1400s European law claiming non-Christian lands could be "discovered" and owned.

Used to justify colonization, land theft, and genocide.

Basis for colonial land claims in North America.

Rejected today as unjust and racist.1400s European law claiming non-Christian lands could be "discovered" and owned.

Used to justify colonization, land theft, and genocide.

Basis for colonial land claims in North America.

Rejected today as unjust and racist.

UNDRIP

(United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007)

Recognizes Indigenous rights to land, language, and self-determination.

Includes Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) before using Indigenous land.

Canada officially endorsed it in 2016.

Framework for reconciliation and justice.

Genocide

Intentional destruction of a cultural or ethnic group.

Includes killing, forced assimilation, or removing children from families.

Canada's residential school system = cultural genocide.

Caused lasting trauma and loss of language and traditions.

TRC - 94 Calls to Action

(Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 2015)

Created to address harms from residential schools.

94 recommendations across: education, justice, health, culture, and media.

Goal: Reconciliation through truth, respect, and systemic change.

Key step in acknowledging Canada's colonial past.

Credit River

(Missinnihe)

Located in southern Ontario.

"Missinnihe" means "Trusting Creek."

Traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Represents land acknowledgment and ongoing Indigenous presence.

Language Reclamation Efforts

Reviving Indigenous languages lost to colonization and residential schools.

Why: Language holds culture, identity, and worldview.

Methods: Immersion schools, elders teaching youth, digital learning.

Examples: Reviving Cree, Anishinaabemowin, Michif.

The "R's"

Respect - Honor all living things.

Reciprocity - Give back what you take.

Relationship - Everything is connected.

Responsibility - Care for land and others.

Relevance - Keep learning meaningful.

Dish With One Spoon Wampum

Peace agreement among Indigenous nations (Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee).

"Dish" = shared territory.

"Spoon" = cooperation and sharing.

Symbolizes peace, balance, and respect for the land.

Two Row Wampum (Guswenta / Gaswéñdah)

Early treaty (1613) between Haudenosaunee and Dutch settlers.

Two purple rows = Indigenous canoe & European ship traveling side by side.

Meaning: Peace, friendship, and mutual respect—no interference in each other's paths.

Foundation for nation-to-nation relationships.

Treaties

Formal nation-to-nation agreements to share land and resources.

Supposed to be mutual and respectful, but often broken or misunderstood.

Modern movements aim to honor original intent.

Examples: Numbered Treaties, Robinson Treaties, Treaty 7.

Michif

Métis language blending Cree, French, and English.

Reflects Métis culture, resistance, and survival.

Language reclamation keeps Métis identity alive.

Louis Riel

Métis leader of the Red River and North-West Rebellions.

Founder of Manitoba.

Advocated for Métis and Indigenous rights.

Executed for treason; now seen as a hero and defender of Indigenous rights.

Turtle Island

Indigenous name for North America.

Comes from creation stories where Earth formed on Turtle's back.

Symbolizes life, balance, and connection to the land.

Teaches respect and responsibility toward the Earth.

"Skywoman Falling"

Haudenosaunee creation story.

Skywoman falls from the Sky World; animals help her create land.

Earth forms on Turtle's back.

Teaches cooperation, generosity, and the sacredness of life.

Medicine Wheel

Symbol of balance, unity, and healing.

Four directions and aspects:

East (Yellow): Beginnings, spirit, childhood

South (Red): Emotions, youth, relationships

West (Black): Introspection, adulthood

North (White): Wisdom, elder stage

Represents harmony between mind, body, emotion, and spirit.

7 Sacred / Grandfather Teachings

Love (Eagle) - Love yourself and all creation.

Respect (Buffalo) - Honor all living things.

Courage (Bear) - Face fears with strength.

Honesty (Sabe) - Be truthful with yourself and others.

Wisdom (Beaver) - Use knowledge for good.

Humility (Wolf) - Know you're part of creation.

Truth (Turtle) - Live all teachings together.

Sacred Medicines (The Four Medicines)

Tobacco - Used in prayer and as an offering.

Sweetgrass - Symbol of kindness; brings positivity.

Sage - Cleansing and protection.

Cedar - Healing and purification.

Used in ceremonies to bring balance and spiritual connection.

Chippewar

Anishinaabe street artist and activist.

Uses bold art and graffiti to challenge colonial symbols.

Focuses on identity, resistance, and Indigenous pride.

Promotes decolonization through art.

Wab Kinew

Anishinaabe author, musician, and politician (Premier of Manitoba).

Books: The Reason You Walk, Go Show the World.

Themes: Healing, leadership, and reconciliation.

Inspires Indigenous youth and communities.

Niigaan Sinclair

Anishinaabe writer, scholar, and journalist.

Promotes Indigenous storytelling and education.

Advocates for reconciliation, awareness, and truth-telling.

Focus on decolonization through knowledge.

David A. Robertson

Cree author of When We Were Alone and The Reckoner series.

Writes about identity, family, and truth.

Uses stories to build understanding between cultures.

Promotes reconciliation through youth literature.

Richard Wagamese

Ojibwe novelist (Indian Horse, Medicine Walk).

Focus: Healing, spirituality, and the power of storytelling.

Highlights trauma and resilience from colonization.

Celebrates connection to land and community.

Christi Belcourt

Métis artist and environmental activist.

Known for beadwork-style paintings celebrating land and life.

Advocates for environmental protection and Indigenous rights.

Art reflects beauty, resistance, and renewal.

Rita Joe

Mi'kmaq poet and residential school survivor.

Famous poem: "I Lost My Talk."

Wrote about reclaiming identity, language, and pride.

Voice for healing and cultural survival.

Common Paragraph Response Themes

Connection to Land & Gratitude: Allegiance to Gratitude, Thanksgiving Address, Reciprocity.

Colonization & Decolonization: Indian Act, Doctrine of Discovery, TRC Calls to Action.

Language & Identity: Language Reclamation, Michif, Rita Joe.

Reconciliation & Justice: Treaties, Wampum Belts, UNDRIP, TRC.

Contemporary Voices: Belcourt, Kinew, Wagamese, Robertson, Chippewar.

Core Values: The R's, Medicine Wheel, 7 Teachings, Sacred Medicines.