{"id":3848,"date":"2023-05-18T02:21:41","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T02:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elbowlakecentre.ca\/?post_type=quills-posts&p=3848"},"modified":"2023-12-18T08:00:30","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T13:00:30","slug":"a-spirited-epistemology","status":"publish","type":"quills-posts","link":"https:\/\/elbowlakecentre.ca\/quills\/a-spirited-epistemology\/","title":{"rendered":"A Spirited Epistemology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
We recommend inviting a Knowledge Keeper or community member into the learning environment to help students understand the spirited epistemology of local Indigenous groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Image taken from commoxvalleyschools.ca<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spotlight on Language:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that students can go onto the online QUILLS dictionary to hear these word.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The way the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe view water is an example of how local Indigenous groups view BOTH biotic and abiotic things as spirited. To learn more about this the class can examine the following quotation from respected Haudenosaunee Elder Tom Porter: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWater is not just water, it is sacred. Every water is sacred. Every water is holy everywhere in the whole world. The water has spirit, it has a soul, it has life in it. The Creator said to the water, \u2018And your job, Water, is to move, to look for the humans, look for the birds, look for the bears, look for the deer.\u2019 That is why the water is moving. It\u2019s doing its job, going looking around for the life. And then it goes into the big river and then into the big ocean and then back into the clouds. Around and around refreshing because it is alive. It is refreshing because it gives life. That is what the waters do, they quench our thirst, and they clean and purify our body so that we may have a healthy, good life. Then when you listen to the oceans and the big lakes, you hear the heartbeat of the water. You see that it is living. The big waves come, and they hit Mother Earth. It is the same thing as what is going on right in your heart. It is beating with a rhythm because it is living.\u201d<\/em> Tom Porter- And Grandma Said <\/p>\n\n\n\n Spotlight on Language:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that students can go onto the online QUILLS dictionary to hear these word.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndigenous cultures have a sacred and spiritual ecology or relationship with nature. We understand that all living beings have a spirit, and we acknowledge that the stones have had a journey and a long life. They have seen many generations of human hands over such a long time. We communicate our respect by calling them Grandmothers. This is a term of kingship, endearment, and affection. When we are preparing to use the grinding stones, we offer tobacco and express our greetings and intentions. We also smudge the stones with sacred cleansing medicines. We give gratitude and thanksgiving for our ancestors that used and created this tool, we give thanks to the spirit of these Grandmothers, and we thank them for continuing to teach us and share their ancient wisdom.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Rocks:<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n