Cultural Awareness

• Introduce Yourself and Build Connections

  When sharing your name, say your first and last name

  •  It is common for Indigenous people to try and make a connection to the people they meet; often, this is done by identifying last names. If others share where they are from, a connection can be made. Connections are important to the people as the Elders/Knowledge sharer title-ship is often based on community connection and recognition.
  • Additionally, if you have attended Indigenous cultural events, you may have noticed that a clockwise rotation is one commonality they share. If you have many participants, going around the room in a clockwise direction is good practice (Introductions, turns speaking, providing thanks).
• Take Your Time

   It is essential to consider the Indigenous culture when scheduling meetings. Much of the Indigenous culture relies on storytelling, relationships, and connection with one another. Consider how important these things are when you meet with someone and be present in the moment, unrushed, while listening to understand. Before meeting with an Elder or Knowledge Keeper, plan for the meeting to go over time. Providing people with the opportunity to share and speak is ingrained deep in the ceremonies and culture of Indigenous people.

  Traditionally Indigenous people would build partnerships and agreements through gift-giving and ceremony. These practices are still carried out today; however, another traditional practice that is often easier to accommodate is eating together. Providing a meal, snack or refreshment when asking one another to attend an event or meeting is customary.

• Be Open to a Gradual Learning Process

  Understand that you may not get the clear answer you seek in one meeting with an Elder, Knowledge Keeper, or Indigenous Community Member. Indigenous people are diverse, and before colonial borders were put in place, they travelled, traded, and held intertribal marriages with one another. The continent’s population was estimated to be around 60 million before 1492. What was left of the oral teachings was often not allowed to be passed on. The knowledge base is still being revitalized; this can raise challenges when looking for detailed knowledge of practice, ceremony, or area-specific tradition.  

  Indigenous people will often do an opening and closing prayer for their meetings. If an Elder is present at your meeting, it would be respectful to ask them to provide a prayer. While asking for this prayer, it is expected the person requesting the prayer provide a small tobacco offering for this request. The Elder may request this by giving them the tobacco or laying it out on the land. 

  Ensure that if you invite an Elder or Traditional Knowledge Keeper to a meeting, you are not keeping them there only to do opening and closing prayers. Ask them questions to engage their knowledge and give them time to speak. Their time is worth respecting, and we should be conscious not to waste it if we call them out to an event.

• Respect the Role of the Elders and Knowledge Keepers

  Many Indigenous communities begin and end gatherings with prayer. If an Elder is present at a meeting, it is respectful to invite them to offer an opening or closing prayer. When making this request, it is customary in many traditions to provide a small tobacco offering, which the Elder may accept directly or ask that it be placed on the land.

  It is also important to ensure that Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers are not invited solely to perform opening and closing prayers. Their knowledge, teachings, and lived experiences are valuable contributions to any gathering. When inviting them to participate, create opportunities for meaningful engagement by asking questions, listening to their perspectives, and allowing adequate time for them to share. Respecting their time means recognizing the significance of their role and ensuring their presence is meaningful rather than ceremonial only.