Elders & Knowledge Keepers

Elder/Knowledge Keeper Request Form

Guidelines for Working with Indigenous Elders

Honouring the diversity among Indigenous peoples is critical as cultural traditions and ceremonies reflect their language and worldview. However, one commonality is the importance of Elders in Indigenous communities. Elders provide life-long learning and teachings that must be honoured and recognized.

Elders

Who is an Elder?

• Elders have explicit knowledge of traditional teachings. Elders are keepers of stories and oral teachings that have been passed down for generations.
• Elders share teachings and values in sweat lodge ceremonies and other sacred ceremonies; through talking and healing circles; through individual or group learning sessions; and when counselling community members. The community looks to them for guidance and direction. 
• Not all elders are Elders or Language Keepers. To be given the title Elder, it must be earned through lifelong role modelling and service. Knowledge Keeper is the title earned by one who continues to learn from and works alongside an Elder in traditional ways of knowing and being. Elders give the Knowledge Keeper their blessing to share the teachings they have shared with them. 
• A genuine Elder usually will not self-identify as an Elder. Community members are the ones who will identify certain individuals within the community as being individuals with special gifts and well-developed attributes associated with Eldership.

Elders can provide the following services:

• Start meetings/workshops/special events in a good way through prayer
• Describe/teach and/or perform traditional ceremonies
• Share traditional knowledge and protocols
• Give spiritual advice to individuals
• Demonstrate traditional art and other practices

Recognizing Elders' Gifts

Elders have different gifts to offer school communities. Before you invite an Elder, decide on the intended purpose of the Elder’s visit and invite an Elder with those gifts. Recognizing that all Elders have different teachings and gifts is important. Some Elders have traditional plant and medicine knowledge while others have sacred ceremonial knowledge. Some are comfortable traditional storytellers to large groups while others prefer small group settings. If you are unsure, ask the Elder in advance and adjust your plan accordingly. For support with this, contact the NWSD Indigenous Education Coordinator.

Protocol

Inviting an Elder/Knowledge Keeper into your School

Proper protocols must always be followed. Protocols may vary from community to community among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Honorariums and gift giving are honoured traditions founded in the teachings of reciprocity: when you take, something must be given in return.

Honorarium/Gift

• Honorariums/Gifts should be given to express gratitude and appreciation.
• Gifts can be left under the discretion of the school (school mug, pen, etc.). 
• Tobacco or Tea protocol (see below) must be offered. 
• It is important to remember the Elder’s travel expenses and time commitment.
• NWSD honorariums must be honoured. Fill out Expense Voucher before the visit and hand out honorarium at the end of the visit.

Food Protocol

• Offering Elders a snack or a meal while they are a guest in your school is essential. Ask prior to their arrival if they have any dietary concerns.

Tobacco Protocol

• Providing tobacco to Elders and Knowledge Keepers is a respectful practice. 
• Prior to an Elder’s visit, find out if an offering of tobacco is appropriate. Most Elders in our community appreciate tobacco offering. If you are unsure, ask.
• Invitation by phone or email - Preferably, requests are made to an Elder in person. However, many Elders also accept requests by phone or email. If you make a request to an Elder by phone or email, let the Elder know you have tobacco to offer when you see them, then make your request. 
• An Elder will need to know what their role is at the time of their visit. It is imperative to respectfully ask the Elder either for assistance, prayers, guidance, or specific lessons. This should be done prior to their arrival, and it should be asked a second time during the exchange of tobacco to begin the visit in a good way. Be specific.
• When presenting tobacco as a gift/offering it should be passed to the Elder using the left hand, while using the right hand to shake the Elders hand. During this exchange both sets of arms and hands will form an infinity symbol – symbolizing the coming together of two cultures, two groups, or two people. 
• Acceptance of the tobacco will indicate the Elder’s willingness to participate as requested. 
• Elders will use tobacco prior, during, and after when sending prayers to the Creator, 4 directions, the grandfathers and grandmothers. Tobacco has a spiritual significance that outlasts the day’s event/Elder’s visit.
• Tobacco can be offered in a variety of forms. For support with this contact the NWSD Indigenous Education Coordinator.

Broadcloth Protocol

• Broadcloth (also known as “print”) is used in many traditional ceremonies and when offering prayers to the Creator. It is normally offered when participating in a ceremony such as a pipe ceremony or a sweat lodge ceremony.
• Broadcloth comes in many colours. When gifting with broadcloth ask your guest Elder prior to the event/ceremony what color of broadcloth is needed. Red, white, yellow, blue (sometimes green) are the colours of the four directions; purple is also a significant colour; and floral or Native print, which is known as grandmother’s cloth is very important as well. 
• When offering broadcloth you must also offer tobacco. 
• When gifting broadcloth it is expected that the cloth be one meter in length.

Tea Protocol

• There will be some Indigenous Elders who prefer a gift of tea over tobacco. 
• Prior to arrival, it is acceptable to ask Indigenous Elders what they prefer as protocol.

Handshake

• A handshake is a sign of respect. It offers a sense of inclusion and friendship.
• Indigenous people often greet one another with a handshake. It is a sign to show we are all connected, we are happy to have that sense of community and belonging, and we are honoured to be together again, and to learn from one another.
• At the end of an Elder’s visit it is also protocol to end with a handshake.
• If students are shaking hands in a circle, participants will move in a clockwise direction.

Tips

• Greet and meet the Elder upon their arrival and introduce them to staff and students.
• Take care of the Elder until their departure (ie. Offer and assist with getting drinks, food, etc.)
• Photographs, audio and/or video recordings are often not acceptable when an Elders is conducting a ceremony, but it may be acceptable at other times. Explicit consent must be received from the Elder before any recordings are taken. 
• Often Elders carry sacred items such as pipes, eagle feathers, medicine pouches, etc. – do not touch these items unless they give you permission.
• Seek clarification if there is something you do not understand. They are happy to answer questions and to share knowledge with you. Part of building a good relationship involves visiting with one another.
• When the Elder is finished offer your gratitude and thanks. It is important to end with a handshake.