Surviving a Cultural Genocide: Perspectives of Indigenous Elders on the Transfer of Traditional Values

Shawn Clark; Ruth Wylie

doi:10.29333/ejecs/663

Authors

Shawn Clark University of Providence http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7474-9696
Ruth Wylie Arizona State University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8161-7197

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejecs/663

Keywords:

American Indians, elders, Blackfoot, Indigenous Methodologies, Portraiture

Abstract

The purpose of this ethnographic study was to examine how Indigenous elders perceive traditional values. This study employed Portraiture, which allowed Indigenous elders to share their stories in a culturally tailored and relational manner. The authors’ captured and present richly detailed stories that describe the intersects between human experiences and sacred beliefs. The scholars eloquently braid the first authors experiences at three (3) traditional Indigenous ceremonies with the words of Indigenous elders to tell a story about overcoming an attempted cultural genocide. The ceremony participation and elder visits helped identify ten traditional values encasing spirituality displayed in the Hoop of Traditional Blackfoot Values presented in the English language and the Blackfoot language.

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Author Biographies

Shawn Clark, University of Providence

Shawn Clark (Ed.D.) was a public-school educator for over 25-years. After college, Shawn began teaching in school systems located on or bordering Indian reservations. Shawn also served as a building level administrator for 19-years, including seven years at the largest Indigenous student attended school in the state. Shawn is currently an assistant professor of education at the University of Providence and the founder of iinii.org. and iTASSEL.org.

Ruth Wylie, Arizona State University

Ruth Wylie (Ph.D.) is the assistant director of the Center for Science and the Imagination and an associate research professor in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. Her previous projects include designing educational technology for students and teachers and developing interdisciplinary collaboration methodologies.

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