Knowing yourself and becoming known

Quentin Condo
Mi’gmaq
Gesgapegiag

Excerpts from the film “Indian Time” (2016) by Carl Morasse, produced by La BRV.

Empowerment is both a process and the outcome of such process. Primarily based on egalitarian relationships and decision-making, this intervention method deals with the development of individuals and organizations by building on their skills and resources. As an essential element of identity building, its philosophy is simple: to provide the fishing gear and techniques, not the fish.

Coveting autonomy does not signify selfishness or withdrawal in the interest of independence, but a desire to learn to be assertive, to become aware of who we are and what we want for our community. Empowerment-based approaches are particularly beneficial when they affect people or communities that have been historically or currently oppressed and have rejected paternalistic attitudes.

Empowerment cannot be decreed or granted. It emerges and gains strength from such things as participation in a process based on consultation and collaborative work. It is facilitated by education, training and inclusion. Culture is a vital element of its development.

Stimulating creation

Creation is at the heart of any empowerment approach. It can occur at any time and take various forms. It emerges from an inner impulse, upon the recognition of a need, and it is enriched by the contribution of those involved. Each community member has a creative potential that can be harnessed in one’s field of experience, according to one’s abilities and one’s role in the project.

Creation provides a gateway to a cultural universe. It allows the transition from the individual to the collective and represents a unique opportunity for sharing, learning and intergenerational bonding. It appeals to emotions, fosters self-esteem and self-affirmation, and encourages public speaking. As a driving force for innovation, it is a natural resource and an invaluable treasure.

To show, to inform

Rich and enriching, creation reaches its full potential through cultural mediation. As the focal point of a transmission process, it is embodied in a set of communication activities chosen by members of a community or nation to demonstrate their sense of belonging to their people and to express their view of the world through their knowledge, their know-how and their sense of being. As an agent for social change, cultural mediation invites communities to mobilise, to assert their presence in the public arena and to feel acknowledged. It provides them with the tools necessary to become both the architects and builders of a future built in their image.

Ensuring transmission

The cultural heritage of a nation is a legacy. Whether tangible or intangible, it bears witness to the memory and ingenuity of First Peoples, as well as to their ability to adapt to territory and situations. Fragile but vital for the survival of traditions and knowledge, it deserves to be preserved, valued and passed on to future generations. This expression has proven to be fundamental for the affirmation and protection of Indigenous identities. Community-based, this collective achievement goes far beyond the simple exhibition of objects. It transforms participants into subjects of their own history, creators and transmitters of a renewed heritage. Young people appreciate this connection to their roots and develop the desire to nurture it with their creativity. Adults experience and appreciate the strengthening of family and social ties. Elders experience joy from being able to pass on the heritage that their ancestors had entrusted in them.

Creation, mediation and cultural transmission are all means of empowerment for First Peoples. They simultaneaously connect Indigenous and Allochthonous people, help improve mutual understanding and inspire respect for an ancient heritage.