Blaire Star Buffalo

Topic

wâcîkowiyinînâhk: Healing through Indigenous Identity and Land Connectedness

School of Social Work

Date & location

• Wednesday, May 15, 2024
• 2:30 P.M.
• Virtual Defence

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Billie Allan, School of Social Work, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
• Dr. Jacquie Green, School of Social Work, UVic (Member)

External Examiner

• Dr. Michael Hart, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Sarah Wright Cardinal, School of Public Health and Social Policy, UVic

Abstract

This thesis aims to shed light and support healing through an Indigenous story-sharing methodology. It is the re-searching of deeper knowledge and history to make known the identity and ancestral teachings specific to Plains Cree worldviews. Each nation has its own unique and distinguished identity; the people of Day Star were once called the Blue Hill people. This name was given to the people by the first signatory Chief and Prophet named Kīsikāwacāhk (Day Star). The knowledge gathered through this study will be used to modify a land-based healing initiative for women, children and families. The scope of the research is to revive kinship practices, cultural continuity, and Indigenous resurgence for myself, community members and future generations. As a member and re-searcher of the nation, I had become interested in knowing our identities and kinship practices by reconnecting to the people and land as an urban member. In this research, I had carried out a story-sharing methodology to do the research by gathering knowledge through my own experiences, interviews and witnessing to be applied in a decolonial approach. Through this research I intended to incorporate nêhiyawewin, ceremony and practices as much as possible while adhering to our traditional protocols.