Community

 

 

 

  Ima Johnson

  Elder-in-Residence

  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall Room 103
  McMaster University

 

 

Ima is of the Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. For over 25 years, Ima Johnson was a Mohawk Language teacher. She developed a curriculum for the Mohawk immersion program at Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo Private School and began the tasks of teaching the children the language. In 1998 she received her Ontario Teachers' Certificate through Brock University. Her understanding and patience also prompted her to teach Adult Mohawk Language classes at Six Nations Polytechnic. Ima's passion to teach the Mohawk language to whoever wants to learn has led many to reclaim their language. Her devotion to the immersion program continues today in her capacity as Translator at the Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo Language Preservation Project.

In addition to her teaching career, Ima is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is a Head Faithkeeper at the Lower Cayuga Longhouse, was named a Six Nations Community Treasure in 2004 and as a Six Nations Indigenous Knowledge Guardian in 2008. In 2009, she was awarded the title of Professor of Indigenous Language. Rich in the knowledge of Haudenosaunee traditions and culture, Ima has shared her knowledge with women in the Six Nations and Hamilton communities through various prenatal clinics and teaching women's wellness and parenting. Through her gift as a storyteller, many of her teachings continue to be shared with others. Ima has many great stories to tell, so come and listen when you can!

Ima is also a member of the Board of Directors for Six Nations Polytechnic, Six Nations Birthing Centre and a member of the Grandparents of the Birthing Centre.

 

 

  Renee Thomas-Hill

  Elder-in-Residence

  Aboriginal Students Health Sciences (ASHS) Office
  HSC Room 2E1A

  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall Room 103
  McMaster University

 

 

Renee is of the Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. As an Haudenosaunee Woman, she is responsible to carry on the teachings of "Our" Way of Life. She is to carry on the message of Peace Power and Righteousness (Sacredness). She shares this in the following ways: as an Indigenous Women, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother; Educator, Historian, Artisan F.N. Doll Maker; Carrying on the Stories of Our Ancestors; Holder of Names (Genealogy Researcher), Storyteller; Traditional/Golden Age Smoke Dancer; Traditional Counsellor/Healer (Addiction Treatment Centre); Traditional knowledge of our plants/foods/medicine; An agriculturist – the continuation of our seeds; Grieving Support and most of all a “Spiritual Being”.

Renee is also a grandmother and auntie to many. "My walk in life, is to share awareness and the uplifting of the spirit through the teachings of Our Mother, the Earth and the Understanding of the Good Mind."

Renee has much to share so come out and listen.

 

 

  Bertha Skye

  Elder-in-Residence - RETIRED (Visiting Elder)

  Aboriginal Students Health Sciences (ASHS) Office
  HSC Room 2E1A

  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall Room 103
  McMaster University

 

In keeping with time honoured traditions, we believe that our Elders can play an important role in supporting students during their time at McMaster. Bertha Skye has worked with the ISP and ASHS Offices for several years, and has played an integral role in enhancing the student experience for many. Bertha is a warm and welcoming presence in the Indigenous Studies Program Office and the Aboriginal Students Health Sciences (ASHS) office. Bertha is more than willing to provide support, guidance, laughter, friendship and a healthy meal.

Bertha grew up in the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation in Saskatchewan (and according to Bertha, this is the coldest place on earth!). She was formerly a cook at four different residential schools before she met her husband, Hubert Skye, and moved to Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. In 1992 Bertha competed on a team comprised of other Native chefs from across Canada at the World Culinary Olympics. Her team competed against 14,000 other chefs from around the world, and took home the Grand Gold as well as winning the most medals of any of the other teams.

Bertha has lived in Six Nations for 53 years, and is the mother of three daughters and two sons. She also is the proud grandmother of six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In addition to being an Elder at McMaster University, she also works as an Elder at Mohawk College. She also volunteers her time as a board member at the Six Nations Health Foundation. Come out and meet this incredible lady!

 

Community Collaboratives

 

ISP has been building community relationships since its inception in 1992. The advantage of having Indigenous instructors, many from the local area, has allowed students to access a more multi-faceted education. Students have the opportunity to experience workshops on corn harvesting and its many usages, rafting and portaging through the many water systems located near the campus, medicine walks that explore indigenous plants to the area and their usages, and much more. Indigenous Studies believes that in order to deliver the most knowledge-rich courses possible, knowledge keepers and elders from local indigenous communities must be incorporated into both academic programming and service delivery for students. We are proud of these relationships and have been privileged to host people who are willing to share their knowledge, stories, and songs with all of our students.

The latest initiative ISP has undertaken with Six Nations Polytechnic (SNP) is an accredited Ogwehoweh Language Diploma. Students can now opt for postsecondary education in the language and finish their diploma at SNP or continue to complete a degree at McMaster University. As a Cayuga Chief and educator at Six Nations, Harvey Longboat's vision was to have a local community postsecondary institution focused on language and culture backed by the university but not interfering with local education. This is our crowning achievement in his honour, along with a $15,000 scholarship in his name. The Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarship for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Students was established in 2009, recognizing and acknowledging his remarkable contributions to the McMaster community. Recipients of the award include:  Sandra Muse Isaacs (2010/2011), Jennifer Adese and Laurel Curley (2011/2012).  For more information about the scholarship or how to apply, please contact the School of Graduate Studies.

McMaster University's Indigenous Studies Program and the President's Committee on Indigenous Issues have a long history of responding to community needs. Six Nations educational leaders were concerned about the number of Aboriginal students in medical school. This led to a decade of meetings that resulted in ISP building pathways for students to pursue health sciences or medical school. The Aboriginal Students Health Sciences (ASHS) Office has been established to assist students in completing health sciences programs as well as advancing changes to curriculum in Health Sciences. As you can see, we are continuing to grow both at the community level and here at McMaster University.

 

Celebrating Community Achievements

 

Building research capacity and institutional development within the local community of Six Nations has been essential in maintaining ISP's distinctive place of learning. Our many research grants including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Institute of Aboriginal Peoples Health (IAPH) and the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) has built nationwide capacities in Indigenous research. For example, the Indigenous Knowledge Centre, located in Six Nations has been established in partnership between McMaster and SNP to house sacred texts, artefacts, etc. and engages local community members and McMaster alumni in working with these items. This Centre also provides space and time for the Six Nations Knowledge Guardians to translate historical documents concerning ceremonies, songs, etc. from Iroquoian languages to English.

The Indigenous Health Research Development Program (IHRDP) is also in partnership with McMaster and housed locally in Six Nations at SNP. This program assists Aboriginal students in conducting health research. IHRDP also funds community-driven projects focusing on health. The Aboriginal Health Research Network Secretariat (AHRNetS) works towards maintaining and coordinating various Aboriginal health and environment projects across Canada. These programs and centers utilize the knowledge and skills of local Haudenosaunee residents, other Indigenous knowledge keepers, McMaster students, and Alumni.

These projects continue to have nationwide reach and have steadily been building uniquely defined networks. At Indigenous Studies, we try to incorporate students in all of these facets of research. It is our belief and practice to provide students with the opportunity to access indigenous forms of learning and knowledge during their time at McMaster.