Elders Teaching In The Twenty-21st Century Analysis

Elders’ Teachings in the Twenty-first Century: A Personal Reflection-Summary For centuries, Indigenous knowledge has been passed down by means of oral communication. Several economical and political forces have inconvenienced the traditional practices of Indigenous people. In the article Elders’ Teachings in the Twenty-first Century: A Personal Reflection by Marlene Brant Castellano she explains these oral teachings and who instructs them, how these teachings are interpreted and applied to every day circumstances, and how these teachings are transmitted to others. Further, Castellano uncovers how the Indigenous peoples are trying to reclaim their traditions in today’s modern society. Indigenous knowledge “refers to the streams of knowledge …show more content…
In today’s society they are in an environment that is immensely different from the traditional Aboriginal tradition. Furthermore, this environment lacks reinforcement of the Aboriginal ways. This causes teachers to be straightforward in their teachings of the Aboriginal ways. According to Long and Dickason “disconnect between Aboriginal culture and formal education (is) an impediment to learning and development of positive identity”(41). Some ways Indigenous knowledge has incorporated into formal education is by inviting Elders into the classrooms. In turn, this action is to help teach the value of Aboriginal teachings. Another way Aboriginal teaching has been put into formal education is by emphasis being put onto Indigenous knowledge’s fundamental concepts. A key concept in Indigenous knowledge is that humans are responsible for maintaining the world’s balance (Long & Dickason, pg. 42). Aboriginal health is an example of this balance. In their culture the understanding is that “well-being (is) a balance among physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of the whole person” (Long & Dickason, pg. 43). The medicine wheel is a key symbol in Indigenous knowledge since it can be used to symbolize all aspects that bring about wholesomeness. Personal development is a concern of Elders’ teachings. They teach moral and ethical precepts along with the concept of Good Mind. …show more content…
They later went on to become respected Elders’ and mentors. Movements similar to the ones listed above were noticed across the Nation. It was though that this second wave was created by knowledge-seekers and knowledge-holders. This second wave proved to the Aboriginal people that their waves were innate values of also non-Aboriginal peoples. Traditionalists are aiming to make indigenous knowledge visible in the twenty-first