Page 29 - Six Nations Community Plan 2019

Measuring Progress

• Reconnecting with our past in modern ways • Inclusivity for all Onkwehon:we who may be learning about
their identity
• More knowledge of the principles that guide us all
• Increased traditional social celebrations and capacity for
• Greater ability to connect with culture in workplaces
singers to share
• Individuals feel secure in their identity

Key Challenges And Concerns

• Colonization has forced an external culture on us and hindered our own. Trying to keep up with modern world and work
expectations can slowly distance us from our Haudenosaunee identity
• Fewer in the community hold the knowledge of our principles and how they are meant to guide us
• Legacy of cultural genocide has made those that know the culture protective of it; those seeking to reconnect with their
identity can feel excluded or embarrassed instead of supported and loved
• Some organizations are publicizing cultural values on paper but not living them
• Funding often focuses on basic needs of housing, water, etc. If we neglect culture it will be lost with time. Then when basic
needs of the community are satisfied there will be no culture left to make us who we are
Suggested Lead Partners

• Health Services • Polytech • Governance • Deyohaha:ge (Indigenous
• Six Nations Tourism • Woodland Cultural Centre • Schools Knowledge Centre)

Timeline

OBJECTIVES STATUS IN 2019

Expand and provide resources to The Traditional Medicine Committee, Deyohaha:ge (Indigenous
initiatives sharing culture Knowledge Centre), are all providing these resources to the community.

Review and modify Integrating practices such as Ganǫhǫnyǫhk (Thanksgiving Address), permitting flexibility
organizations’ policies to to allow for participation in ceremonies or learning language and culture – ‘cultural
support culture wellness’ days instead of sick days.
Develop a ceremonial speakers’ Organizations looking to integrate more culture in meetings and events often seeking
list and procedure speakers, but need clear list of who can provide this service, and how they should be
respectfully compensated.

Develop a learners mentoring Pairing up learners to meet up with one another, share and learn from each other to
SHORT program reduce stigma of being new to the culture.
(2019-2024)
Family skill-building school or Need a place to learn about traditional skills through land-based learning and to pair
workshops big brothers/big sisters with youth to share skills and culture.

Create cultural advisory roles in More and more organizations have this function, but not universal. Need to be well
all public organizations paid and flexible positions so knowledge holders can attend to other cultural needs
and events.
Develop a research and
knowledge mobilization Various efforts are being undertaken to recover and restore traditional knowledge,
strategy to support the language and culture, but a strategy is needed to coordinate efforts and create
revitalization of Haudenosaunee strategic goals.
knowledge
MEDIUM Create a fund to support Sharing gifts will always be our way, but modern reality is that people are working to
be financially supported. The fund would be to support singers during bereavement,
(2025-2029) cultural knowledge holders buy food for families, etc.

LONG Construct an Indigenous Deyohaha:ge (Indigenous Knowledge Centre) at Six Nations Polytechnic protecting
(2030-2039) Knowledge Centre Facility and promoting our culture. In need of a dedicated facility to accommodate learners
and archives.
29