An Indigenous Journey to Leadership | Eddy Robinson | TEDxStMaryCSSchool

Summary

The speaker, an indigenous individual, begins with a 'Bojo' exercise to establish respect and learning. They discuss the importance of acknowledging the four directions and the Thunderbirds, protectors in their culture. The narrative focuses on the omission of indigenous narratives in Canada, leading to a sense of placelessness. The speaker shares personal stories of disconnection from culture, poverty, and incarceration, and how they found identity and purpose through the drum, elders, and fasting. They emphasize introspection and transformation, ending with a song received during a fast, symbolizing great heart.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker begins by engaging the audience with a quick exercise to say 'Bojo', emphasizing mutual respect and learning.
• 📖 The word 'Bojo' is part of the speaker's indigenous creation story and signifies a spiritual being, indicating a connection to the universe.
• 🎶 The act of drumming four times is a tradition to acknowledge the four directions and the first sounds of the universe, symbolizing balance.
• 👥 The Thunderbirds are protectors in the indigenous culture, and their presence is acknowledged through the sounds of the drum.
• 🌿 The speaker's identity as a 'nnab' (human being) is tied to their place in the universe and their cultural heritage.
• 🚫 There is a significant omission of indigenous narratives in mainstream Canadian history, leading to a sense of placelessness among indigenous people.
• 🏡 The speaker's family prioritized learning English over their native language, reflecting a broader trend of cultural separation.
• 🌱 Encounters with indigenous artists and elders were pivotal in the speaker's journey to understanding and embracing their cultural identity.
• 🎵 The drum is a form of indigenous technology and played a central role in the speaker's personal transformation and healing.
• 🌳 Spending time in nature and engaging in introspection can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and one's place in the community.
• 🦅 The speaker's spirit name, 'chichchu' (echo maker), represents their role as a communicator and leader within their community.

Q & A

What does 'Bojo' mean in the speaker's language?

In the speaker's language, 'Bojo' is a verbal agreement that signifies learning from and respecting each other.

How does the speaker demonstrate the concept of the Big Bang?

The speaker demonstrates the concept of the Big Bang by having the audience shout the word 'Bojo' as loud as they can, symbolizing the first sounds of the universe.

What is the significance of the Thunderbirds in the speaker's culture?

In the speaker's culture, the Thunderbirds are protectors of human beings and are considered the creators of the first sounds of the universe.

Why did the speaker's grandparents not teach him their native language?

The speaker's grandparents did not teach him their native language because they wanted him to learn English, which was a common practice in Canada to separate Indigenous people from their culture.

What is the term 'nnab' and how does the speaker use it?

'Nnab' means human being in the speaker's language, and the speaker uses it to acknowledge his place in the universe and his connection to his culture.

How does the speaker describe the process of introspection and transformation?

The speaker describes the process of introspection and transformation as one of understanding one's role in the universe, facing oneself, and using that understanding to inform one's current location in life.

What is the significance of the drum in the speaker's culture?

The drum is a form of technology and holds cultural significance as a means of communication and connection to the spiritual world in the speaker's culture.

Why did the speaker feel a sense of belonging when he heard the drum in prison?

The speaker felt a sense of belonging when he heard the drum in prison because the drum and the smell of sweet grass reminded him of his cultural roots and provided a sense of home.

What is the meaning behind the speaker's spirit name 'nowin'?

The spirit name 'nowin' means 'a person of great heart' in the speaker's language, signifying the importance of having a big heart and being compassionate.

What role does the speaker believe he has as a 'chichchu' in his community?

As a 'chichchu' or echo maker, the speaker believes his role is to bring forth the voice of the community to other nations, similar to how a crane carries smaller birds on its back.

What is the message the speaker wants to convey about leadership?

The speaker wants to convey that leadership involves understanding one's role in the universe and balancing the needs of the community, just as the crane balances smaller birds on its shoulders.