Blog Post #5

In the article titled: Learning from Place: A Return To Traditional Mushkegowuk Ways of Knowing written by Jean-Paul Restoule et al, there are many instances that one can see the topics of re-inhabitation and decolonization emphasized. The article explained that re-inhabitation and decolonization rely on each other.  “it was evident that a community priority was bringing together Elders and youth so they could learn from one another about the role and meaning of the land to social well-being.” (73) To achieve this goal, community members from Fort Albany First Nation embarked on a 10-day river trip. The group consisted of youth, adults, and Elders. The goal of the trip was to learn about traditional territory, and to connect with nature and the environment. One of the ways this project aimed to encourage re-inhabitation and decolonization is by connecting elders and youth with one another, to promote youth, Elder, and adult involvement. I think an important part of the trip was when the Elders were teaching the youth about the previous Indigenous names that parts of the river were once called. As loss of language was a large part of colonization, reclaiming this language is a large step in the decolonization process.

 The article states that creating the audio documentary about this journey aided in the decolonization process. I think this is because others who were not on the journey can also experience the learning and bonding that took place throughout these 10 days. Overall, this experience was a wonderful opportunity for the community to bond, share their knowledge, and experiences with one another, while gaining insight about and reclaiming their culture.