Protocols when having an Aboriginal Guest come to your school
Terminology - The clothing that Aboriginal dancers wear is called regalia, not costumes;
Regalia - Some of articles are extremely old, some are sacred and they all take an extremely long time to make.Regalia is an extension of the person's past and their spirit. Please do not touch without asking permission. Some presenters may be fine with you touches the objects that he/she is showing. For some, it is a sign of disrespect especially if the object is sacred to the presenter. If a person touches or grabs the regalia without permission, the Aboriginal person will have to smudge their regalia or give it away.
Drums: The drum is the heartbeat of a pow wow, and some drums have traditions that dictate it can never be left unattended. Do not attempt to play or touch without permission.
Smudging: The practice of smudging, or purifying a room or an object is done with the smoke of sacred herbs. It can help clear negative energy from a space and clear other's energy from an object.
Elders
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Elders are acknowledged by their respective communities as an ‘Elder’ through a community selection process. Gender and age are not factors in determining who is an Elder. Traditional teachers are those individuals learning under the mentorship and guidance of an Elder
Greeting an elder..Do not assume that they will shake hands. As you are introducing yourself wait to see if they offer their hand. If they do, do not squeeze their hands - do not apply any pressure greater than what they provide; expect it to be a soft hand that you shake and you will be fine.
Listening- is so important when you have met an elder. You must let him/her finish what they are saying. DO NOT interrupt.
Regalia - Some of articles are extremely old, some are sacred and they all take an extremely long time to make.Regalia is an extension of the person's past and their spirit. Please do not touch without asking permission. Some presenters may be fine with you touches the objects that he/she is showing. For some, it is a sign of disrespect especially if the object is sacred to the presenter. If a person touches or grabs the regalia without permission, the Aboriginal person will have to smudge their regalia or give it away.
Drums: The drum is the heartbeat of a pow wow, and some drums have traditions that dictate it can never be left unattended. Do not attempt to play or touch without permission.
Smudging: The practice of smudging, or purifying a room or an object is done with the smoke of sacred herbs. It can help clear negative energy from a space and clear other's energy from an object.
Elders
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Elders are acknowledged by their respective communities as an ‘Elder’ through a community selection process. Gender and age are not factors in determining who is an Elder. Traditional teachers are those individuals learning under the mentorship and guidance of an Elder
Greeting an elder..Do not assume that they will shake hands. As you are introducing yourself wait to see if they offer their hand. If they do, do not squeeze their hands - do not apply any pressure greater than what they provide; expect it to be a soft hand that you shake and you will be fine.
Listening- is so important when you have met an elder. You must let him/her finish what they are saying. DO NOT interrupt.
Click on the button below to see a good video about the sacredness of First Nation's long braided hair. (You have to scroll down to the video). It will open up many conversations in the classroom about how devastating it was for the children to get their hair cut.
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More protocol to be posted in the future