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Story Topic: Education Levels

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Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 5 – Dry Scraping the Epidermal Layer

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Steffany Salloum

In Part 5 of the series, the Buffalo People Arts Institute demonstrate scraping the epidermal layer of the hide.

This video reveals the physical, mental, and emotional challenges involved in days of scraping a buffalo hide. The endurance of the people scraping reveal a strong mind and strong spirit which help them arrive at the next phase of buffalo hide tanning.

Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway and Lorne Kequahtooway are artists and leaders behind the Buffalo People Arts Institute (BPAI). Founded in 2015, BPAI became a non-profit organization whose mission is to share traditional Indigenous teachings and knowledge in order to raise social consciousness and create awareness of the power and strength drawn from blood memory and our connection to the buffalo.

In collaboration with NCCIE and Common Weal, BPAI documents the process of and teachings about buffalo hide tanning. This series of stories entitled, Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings, takes you on a journey of exploring connection to the buffalo while also reflecting on the social and historical realities of the buffalo and the people who rely on its survival.

Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 6 – Braining a Buffalo Hide

Posted on by Steffany Salloum

In Part 6 of the series, the Buffalo People Arts Institute demonstrate how to prepare the buffalo hide for braining, how to brain the hide, and how to scrape a brained hide.

This video reveals the physical, mental, and emotional challenges involved in days of scraping a buffalo hide. The endurance of the people scraping reveal a strong mind and strong spirit which help them arrive at the next phase of buffalo hide tanning.

Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway and Lorne Kequahtooway are artists and leaders behind the Buffalo People Arts Institute (BPAI). Founded in 2015, BPAI became a non-profit organization whose mission is to share traditional Indigenous teachings and knowledge in order to raise social consciousness and create awareness of the power and strength drawn from blood memory and our connection to the buffalo.

In collaboration with NCCIE and Common Weal, BPAI documents the process of and teachings about buffalo hide tanning. This series of stories entitled, Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings, takes you on a journey of exploring connection to the buffalo while also reflecting on the social and historical realities of the buffalo and the people who rely on its survival.

Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 7 – Smoking a Buffalo Hide

Posted on by Steffany Salloum

In Part 7 of the series, the Buffalo People Arts Institute smoke a buffalo hide.

On Day 15 of buffalo hide tanning, the Buffalo People Arts Institute show how to smoke a buffalo hide with punk wood. While sitting around a camp fire they reflect on the process of hide tanning and how they learned the tanning method.

Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway and Lorne Kequahtooway are artists and leaders behind the Buffalo People Arts Institute (BPAI). Founded in 2015, BPAI became a non-profit organization whose mission is to share traditional Indigenous teachings and knowledge in order to raise social consciousness and create awareness of the power and strength drawn from blood memory and our connection to the buffalo.

In collaboration with NCCIE and Common Weal, BPAI documents the process of and teachings about buffalo hide tanning. This series of stories entitled, Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings, takes you on a journey of exploring connection to the buffalo while also reflecting on the social and historical realities of the buffalo and the people who rely on its survival.

The Story of wesakecāk and sihkos

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Steffany Salloum

This is the story of how the weasel was able to change the colour of its pelt.

Simon Bird is the Director of Education for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and he shares his wealth of knowledge teaching Cree. At the Regina Elders Gathering held in February 2020, Bird encouraged audience members to engage in his Cree Bingo game. During the game he teaches Cree words and will often tell stories. This time, Bird shared the story of how the weasel’s pelt changes colour in different seasons.

On Natural Law – What are you dressed up in?

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Steffany Salloum

By believing in practicing all of the components of Natural Law we are able to protect ourselves from being vulnerable.

Vee Whitehorse of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation presented at the Regina Elders Gathering in February 2020. Whitehorse is a leader at Leading Thunderbird Lodge where he supports Indigenous youth who are struggling with addictions. The holistic youth treatment centre offers opportunities for youth to connect with their culture, explore their identities, and heal. At the Elders Gathering, Whitehorse frames his discussion around the question: What are you dressed up in? He suggests that language, kinship, ceremony, and Mother Earth/heavens create a Natural Law and when you practice these components you will be less vulnerable,  insulated or ‘dressed up’ and can protect yourself.  

Mini Cree Language Lesson by Doreen Oakes

Posted on by Steffany Salloum

Doreen Oakes offers a mini language lesson for audience members at the Regina Elders Gathering.

Doreen Oakes was a Cree language educator at the First Nations University of Canada in the Department of Indigenous Languages, Arts, and Cultures until June 30th, 2016. In February 2020, at the Regina Elders Gathering, Oakes shared a brief Cree language lesson in this video clip. Oakes invites the audience to introduce themselves by saying hello, my name is and I am from, in Cree. For example, tânisi Doreen Oakes niya Nekaneet First Nation nitocin. Watch the clip for correct pronunciation!

Significance of the Number Four in Indigenous Worldviews

Posted on by Steffany Salloum

Lynn Cote discusses a circular worldview model and discusses the meaning of the sacred number four. 

Lynn Cote was a guest speaker at the Regina Elders Gathering held in February 2020. Cote spoke about the importance of stories and language learning. Lynn Cote is a Saulteaux woman and educator from Cote First Nation, located north of Kamsack, Saskatchewan. In this clip, Cote discusses the importance of the number four in Saulteaux worldview and the importance of the circular worldview model. The worldview defines our relationship with the spirit land and all spirits that inhabit it.

The Seven Sacred Rites of the Lakota Oyate

Posted on by Steffany Salloum

In Lakota ceremonies we pray for good health, happiness, help, and understanding.

Tim Poitras is from Muskowpetung First Nation and is the Sundance Chief of Woptura and the Tiospaye of Pine Ridge South Dakota. At the Regina Elders Gathering held in February 2020, Poitras shares his knowledge and experiences in order to create an awareness of good health, happiness, help, and understanding. In his presentation he discusses the people of the Seven Council Fires, the Seven Sacred Rites of the Lakota Oyate, and the Creation Story. The history and knowledge Poitras shares reminds us to honour those that have left us to the spirit world and respect the knowledge and traditions of our people.

At the Regina Elders Gathering held in February 2020, Tim Poitras, from Muskowpetung First Nation, shared about his role in his community and his understanding of Lakota ceremonies. Poitras provides an overview of the Seven Sacred Rites of the Lakota Oyate including the following ceremonial rights:

  • Canupa: The Sacred Pipe Ceremony
  • Inipi: The Sweat Lodge;
  • Hanblecha: The Vision Quest
  • Wiwangwacipi: The Sun Dance;
  • Hunkapi: The Making of Relatives; The Keeping of The Soul;
  • Ishna Ta Awi Cha Lowan: Preparing a Girl for Womanhood and a Man for Manhood.

Dene Culture and the Catholic Church

Posted on by Steffany Salloum

Comparing and recognizing similarities between Dene beliefs and the beliefs of the Catholic Church.

Margaret Reynolds, a Dene woman from English River First Nation, shares about the differences in Dene beliefs compared to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, with an audience at the Prince Albert Elders Gathering in March 2020. Reynolds explains how the Catholic Church was domineering in the north and people have lived without their traditional culture for a long time. She understands that the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux in Saskatchewan all believe in the same way and these beliefs have parallels  beliefs of the Catholic Church. Thankfully though, a lot of Dene traditional ceremonies, songs, and drum are coming back after being suppressed for so long.

Dene Language Lesson

Posted on by Steffany Salloum

Margaret Reynolds shares a quick Dene language lesson focusing on the t-dialect.

Margaret Reynolds, a Dene woman from English River First Nation, shares the Dene language with an audience at the Prince Albert Elders Gathering in March 2020. First, she explains that Saskatchewan has 2 dialects the k-dialect (Black Lake, Fond du Lac, Stony) and the t-dialect (English River, etc.). She discusses the Denesuline language, sharing some words and meanings between dialects, acknowledging that there are over twenty Denesuline dialects across the country!