Elder Wisdom

CATCHING UP WITH THE KATZIE

Throughout my lifetime I have been touched by, and passionate about, the mystery and mystic of the Indigenous peoples around the world. Getting to the point of understanding or better understanding the silence and noise that surrounds all of that, was initially not easy; but, a new approach has definitely cleared that path to wanting to do better.

I see the subject of Indigenous people, history and culture like looking at a mosaic full of different shapes, colours and textures. Looking at all of it at once is overwhelming and complicated, kind of like looking at a forest and not seeing the trees. The feeling is so very different when you zero in on one tile, tree or segment of the bigger picture at a time.

Recently, the Maple Ridge Library hosted a seminar entitled Honouring Our Elders  and the guest speaker was Katzie Elder Colene Pierre. By using her Katzie experience, knowledge and passion, the more than 70 attendees were carefully guided through a series of anecdotes that ultimately provided insight into the role of the Elder as leader, a sharer of knowledge, guide, teacher and counselor to their inner community, and the rest of us as well.

Some Elders now have taken on the role of speaking to the outside community as a new approach to raising awareness and educating, by telling their stories as well as asking and answering questions.

Although this topic-specific experience was only ninety minutes, what we got out of it was significant clarity and understanding about one tile in that vast beautiful Indigenous mosaic or one special tree in the bountiful earthly forest: the significance of the Elder in Indigenous societies.

The bottom line is we share this Earth together and while we are here, our collective goal should be to die proud and happy, feeling like we have lived a good life and, all the while, learned how to respect and honour all others, and to value all they have to offer.

As Elder Pierre said: she does see progress is being made. Teaching strategies are very different now than ever before and learning outcomes are starting to look promising. Our youth are stepping forward and wanting to learn more, to help solve the mysteries, help change the stereotype attitudes and help lead us all forward in a more harmonious and informed way. 

Those of us well beyond our “youth” years have a key role in all of this too —  this is our time to embrace a collective pledge to unravel the mystery behind Indigenous history, culture, beliefs and practices, and often the misunderstandings derived from misinformation, and move forward together with new hope and optimism as our common thread.