Digital Story: Cowessess First Nation
At the start of each ceremony, event, assemblage, or gathering, it is critical we honour Indigenous peoples and their ancestors whose land we occupy. However, we must examine more closely, inquire, and get to know Indigenous ways of knowing, current and emerging perspectives, and the ways in which they are espoused to the past. This asssignment offers a look at efforts towards Indigenization of both ourselves, our teaching, and the greater society through which we interact; Indigenization moves beyond tokenistic gestures of recognition or inclusion to meaningfully change practices and structures. Equally worth our consideration are efforts towards decolonization; as decolonization is the removal or undoing of colonial elements, the process of decolonization can be a way of healing and moving away from a place of anger, loss, and grief toward a place where Indigenous Peoples can thrive. Through a brief examination of the Cowessess First Nation and my personal connections as a Métis citizen in Alberta, the past and present are brought together in the video presentation that follows.
Technology:
To create my digital story, I utilised the applications doodly and iMovie. Using this technology was an engaging and informative experience for me; I would absolutely use it again for both myself and future students.
I respectfully acknowledge and honour that we are located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut'ina, and the Îyârhe Nakoda. We are situated on land where the Bow River meets the Elbow River, and that the traditional Blackfoot name of this place is Mohkinstsis, which we now call the City of Calgary.
The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III, of which I am a grateful member.
Hi Jaiden! WOW! Your digital story is exceptional. I must recognize the format in which you told you story using doodly. What a great way to keep viewers engaged without looking at the same photo for an extended period of time! This is a tool I am looking forward to using in my upcoming practicum!
ReplyDeleteYou truly touched on all aspects of the history of the Cowessess First Nation. I admire your vulnerability when discussing the personal connections you have as a Metis citizen. Furthermore I appreciate the way you acknowledged ‘shattering the silence’ and the history of residential schools. Your statement regarding the importance of “not to [divorcing] the historical context with present day context” is very powerful and a key concept that we all should recognize as Canadian citizens. I truly want to offer you one wish, but you did a phenomenal job touching on all aspects of the Cowessess First Nation. Thank you for sharing the immense amount of knowledge you have. It is amazing to hear the information coming from someone with an authentic and genuine connection. :)