H Lavallee - How to gain knowledge

Summary

The speaker recounts his upbringing under the guidance of his great-grandmother, a Medicine Woman and pipe carrier, who instilled in him the importance of tradition and respect for elders. As a young boy, he learned about Native American culture and healing through her teachings and later, his grandfather's mentorship at the Sundance. His journey of self-discovery continued into adulthood, involving fasting and learning from various elders. After his grandmother's passing, he took on the role of helping others with medicinal knowledge, traveling to gather and learn about different medicines, and preserving the wisdom passed down to him.

Takeaways

• 👵 The speaker was raised by his great-grandmother who was a Medicine Woman and a pipe carrier, imparting traditional knowledge from a young age.
• 🌿 The great-grandmother used natural medicines and was skilled in midwifery, taking pride in helping bring forth new life.
• 🧘‍♂️ The speaker's quest for self-discovery and understanding of his Indigenous identity began in his mid-twenties.
• 👴 He worked closely with his grandfather for 17 years, participating in the Sundance ceremony and fasting, which contributed to his personal healing journey.
• 🏡 The speaker was taught the importance of caring for elders, a value instilled by his great-grandmother, which he practiced by sharing hunted meat with the elderly.
• 🌱 After his grandmother's passing, community members sought the speaker's help with medicinal knowledge, prompting him to delve deeper into the subject.
• 🧳 His Uncle Ray played a significant role in his education, taking him to learn about different medicines and the importance of preserving this knowledge.
• 🌳 The speaker had to relearn and reconnect with the knowledge of medicinal plants, as the previous generation had not passed it down to the younger ones.
• 🌍 He travels to gather medicines, with a recent trip to Idaho, highlighting the seasonal and regional variability in plant availability.
• 📚 The speaker emphasizes the importance of storytelling and personal connections with elders as a means of learning and preserving Indigenous traditions.

Q & A

What role did the speaker's great-grandmother play in his upbringing?

The speaker's great-grandmother was instrumental in his upbringing, taking him in at a young age to teach him her knowledge and wisdom. She was a Medicine Woman and a pipe carrier, imparting traditional practices and values to the speaker.

Why did the speaker's great-grandmother take him in as a young boy?

The speaker's great-grandmother took him in not because his parents couldn't, but because she had her reasons, which included teaching him what she knew and showing him her ways.

What was the speaker's great-grandmother's contribution to her community?

The speaker's great-grandmother was a Medicine Woman who helped with childbirth, bringing forward children, and was very proud of this role in her community.

How long did the speaker live with his great-grandmother?

The speaker lived with his great-grandmother until he was about 10 or 11 years old.

What did the speaker learn about his identity during his time with his grandfather?

During his time with his grandfather, the speaker learned about his identity as a First Nation person, going through a journey of self-discovery, healing, and understanding his own journey.

How long did the speaker work with his grandfather at the Sundance?

The speaker worked with his grandfather at the Sundance for about 17 years, also fasting and going on 4-day fasts annually.

What teachings did the speaker receive from the elders in his community?

The speaker received teachings from various elders in his community, including medicine, connection with Mother Earth, and nature. Each elder took time to spend with him, teaching different aspects of their culture and knowledge.

Why did the speaker start gathering medicines after his grandmother passed away?

After his grandmother passed away, people started coming to the speaker asking for help, leading him to gather medicines. This was also a way to continue the legacy and knowledge passed down to him by his elders.

How did the speaker learn about different medicines and their names?

The speaker learned about different medicines and their names by going to places where his grandmother traded, talking to elders, and learning from them. He had to learn the local names for the medicines, as they varied from one community to another.

What is the significance of the speaker's travels to gather medicines?

The speaker's travels to gather medicines are significant as they represent a continuation of traditional practices and a commitment to maintaining the knowledge and use of natural remedies. His travels also reflect the importance of timing and the changing nature of the environment on the availability of medicines.

How does the speaker's relationship with the elders influence his learning process?

The speaker's relationship with the elders is foundational to his learning process. By visiting with them, sharing stories, and joking, he builds rapport and trust, which in turn allows the elders to share their stories and knowledge with him.