Map of the Elders: Cultivating Indigenous Northern California Consciousness

• In Event: 49.032 - Indigenous Issues in Education and Research

Abstract

1. Objectives or Purpose
Most Indigenous Northern California communities have remained within their original homeland territories for centuries. Today many of these communities are inundated within the colonial urbanized context. Today from a non-Indigenous ‘objective’ perspective, there is a great loss of culture and identity for Northern California Indigenous peoples. The focus of this research is to offer some insights into an Indigenous Northern California consciousness through an Indigenous perspective and the surviving principles that enable them to live a good life.

2. Perspective(s) or theoretical framework
This research study seeks to illustrate the value of Indigenous Studies theories that elevate the inner journey that cultivate Aboriginal knowledge systems and life ways. This research is allied with Indigenous sacred ecological investigations that have illustrated knowledge is gleaned and transmitted by a conscious relationship with the living environment.

3. Methods, techniques, or modes of inquiry
Ten personal qualitative interviews were conducted with Indigenous elders and knowledge keepers from tribes within the Penutian language family group in California north of the Golden Gate Bridge to the southern Oregon border. The communities visited were: Tamalko (Coast Miwok, Mechoopda (Maidu and Northern Sierra Miwok), Nomlaki and Winnemem (Wintu). All visitations were conducted to assess participant background and their means and values of cultural knowledge and beliefs. Themes produced from the individual visitations were discussed amongst the participants within a final focus group.

4. Data sources, evidence, objects, or materials:
Interviews were conducted as field work to a schedule that was appropriate for each individual participant. Some of the interviews were filmed, most were taped. All materials were transcribed for each participant’s approval and review. All materials are encrypted at Trent University online archives as well as copies distributed to each participant.

5. Results and/or substantiated conclusions or warrants for arguments/point of view
Important findings were: almost all of the participants have remained living within their homeland territories or have returned to live their final years there. All the younger participants speak their language fluently. All are active advocates of their culture. Several important concerns emerged from within the group. It is important to implement a knowledge system of education regarding sacred environmental/cultural protocol. It is time to reconnect bridges between our Indigenous tribal neighbors to support these knowledge systems.

6. Scholarly significance of the study or work:
Re-cultivating Indigenous knowledge systems and consciousness is eminent to Indigenous cultural survival and identity. This research looks into a culture that has been primarily anthropologically investigated and offers insights into a sustaining consciousness that thrives yet has previously not been articulated. The findings of this research will inspire more Indigenous Northern Californians to cultivate their unique consciousness and to prompt a requisition for implementation of Indigenous knowledge and its keepers into the consciousness of education.

Author

• Diveena Marcus, Trent University