A Humble Commentary on the Topic of Elders, Honoraria, and Protocol

Abstract

As many people do, I wear many hats in this life. With respect to writing this commentary, I have a few to acknowledge that are significant. I've been an Indigenous student (Nehiyawe, 1 specifically) on this campus for almost ten years. I arrived in 2002 with the expectation of staying for one degree; now, in the midst of writing my PhD dissertation, I admit I enjoy campus life. Almost three years ago, in 2009, I was appointed Special Advisor to the Provost Vice-President (Academic) on Aboriginal Initiatives. This wonderful opportunity has allowed me to connect and network with everyone engaged in Aboriginal initiatives at the University of Alberta. I also support the Council on Aboriginal Initiatives (CAI), which was formed in 2008–2009 by the Provost, Dr. Carl Amrhein, and (then) Chancellor Eric Newell. Currently co-chaired by the Provost and " current Chancellor " Linda Hughes, the CAI has created an Aboriginal Strategic document to fortify the University of Alberta's five-year strategic plan, Dare to Deliver, through the Elder's Protocol and Guidelines document, and has supported various initiatives and celebratory events on campus. The University of Alberta resides on Treaty Six territory, and has historically been a central meeting place for many Indigenous peoples like the Cree, Métis, Nakota (Sioux), and Blackfoot. The fertile region around and along the banks of the waterways of the North Saskatchewan River provided an abundance of natural resources, thus creating a natural place for people to trade and gather together. In many ways, our ancestors continue to dwell upon this territory that the University now sits. Aboriginal students and staff integrate and bring to life the stories, knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors within these walls. More so than ever, universities have been forging ahead and building new relationships and strengthening existing partnerships with Aboriginal peoples, communities, organizations, and individuals. This is certainly the case at the University of Alberta. As more faculties, groups, and organizations across campus access and reach out to Aboriginal communities, the presence of Elders and celebration of ceremony are becoming more and more prevalent. A few highly contested, emotionally charged series of events took place that necessitated the creation of a document to help guide and educate both the university community and the external community of Indigenous people. Not only did we need to define the meaning of what it meant to be an Elder, but we also needed to encapsulate essential principles of reciprocal and respectful protocol between Elders and people seeking Elder guidance. The result is a long-awaited document titled Elder's Protocol and Guidelines (see the foundational documents section of this journal issue for the a copy of this guideline document and its accompanying appendices). The first appendix was authored by Leona Carter, a member of the Council on Aboriginal Initiatives (CAI) 2