Indian (Anishinabe) Control of Indian Education

This is a document about a film called "Waasa Inabidaa" and the policy paper on "Indian Control of Indian Education".  It was told in the film that at the beginning, our people were taught things from oral tradition.  Our children were educated by means of storytelling by the elders and special teachers.  It was very important that the children listened to these stories and teachings.  One of the main focuses for the children to learn was "respect".

Young girls would follow the women - grandmothers, mothers and aunties and the boys and young men would follow their fathers, grandfathers and uncles.  Everybody would contribute to the family.  This was done by means of gardening, hunting, fishing, making clothes etc.  They had discussed how the seeds of the garden were distributed.  The first four rows were for those in need, the next two rows were for the family and other row's for next year's crop.  All the family members were involved in harvesting their crop.  These values were instrumental in the culture of our people.  Their were special teachers (usually an elder) that taught ceremonial teachings and the offering of tobacco.  However, there is a proper way of giving tobacco.  You must first know what it is that you are seeking or asking before approaching these special teachers.

Our ways of being educated had eventually changed over time once missionaries started to visit our  reservations back in the 1800's.  They had come to spread the white mans religious beliefs and customs.  Many First Nation children were taken away from their homes when the Residential Schools were built.  These schools were suppose to educate the Indian children, however, many of them were abused physically, emotionally, spiritually and  mentally.  Many social problems with Anishnaabe people are from the effects of these Government and Church run Institutions

One of our inherited rights as Anishinaabe People according to treaties that were signed was education.  Many policies were not adhered too.  As an Anishnaabe woman myself I would think that by educating the non-native people about our language, customs and culture they would better understand many of the social issues that we face.  Alot of non-native people view Anishnaabe people as lazy and wanting free education and financial handouts from the Government which is so not true.  Each child both native and non-native have a right to their education.  First nations have their own unique policies on how they want to run their social programs.

Meegwetch,

Jennifer

References:

Film -  "Waasa Inabidaa"

Manifesto -  Indian Control of Indian Education