Indigenous Knowledge Holder Series 2018
The Indigenous Knowledge Holder Series this year was a major success! Ryan McMahon, CEO of Makoons Media and builder of Indian & Cowboy, spent the week at McGill contributing to our community. The Indigenous Knowledge Holder Series is the Indigenous Studies Program's flagship series. The Indigenous Knowledge Holder seeks to enrich the McGill Community by inviting an Indigenous Knowledge Holder to spend a week at the university to share their scholarship, work, and advocacy. Indigenous Knowledge Holders – whether they be wampum belt holders, storytellers, artists, activists, hereditary leaders, or academics– encompass generations of knowledge embedded within the cultural and epistemological worldview of Indigenous communities that span generations. This Series acts as a bridge between that knowledge and the institution while placing an emphasis on Indigenous community collaborations and partnerships through academic events, workshops, and community presentations.
On March 20th, he gave a workshop at the First People's House about Makoons Media and Indian & Cowboy which explored some tools all podcasters should have. On March 21st, Ryan spent the day giving workshops with the students of the Kahnawake Survival School. We thank Principle Jackie Leclaire and Associate Principle Kanen’to:kon Hemlock for welcoming the Indigenous studies program into their incredible school. After the day at the school Ryan came back to McGill to give his keynote: "iPhones, Bush Tea and Dibajimowinan - Centering Indigenous Stories As A Pathway Forward Toward 2167". This event has a very interesting discussion about the future of Canada and the Trudeau government's narrative of reconciliation. Emphatically, Ryan spoke about the need to center Indigenous voices and truths for Canada to be able to move forward. On Thursday, the 22nd, we screening Michelle St. Jean's award winning film "Colonization Road", which Ryan narrates and acts as the interviewer. March 23rd, Friday, Tatyana Olal and Sehar Manji opened for Ryan during our Night of Comedy. A fantastic time was had by all!
Indigenous Arts Night: Urban Voices was hosted on Saturday night by the Indigenous Student Alliance. It was a wonderful night celebration of urban Indigenous artists. Line up included: Eadsé (Huron-Wendat) Emilio Wawatie (Algonquin/Anishnabe) Corey Thomas (Mig’ Maq) An open mic, featuring members of the Indigenous Student Alliance, Denzel Sutherland-Wilson, Ella Martindale, & our administrative coordinator, Patricia Johnson-Castle, as well as a very moving poetry reading by students from the Kiuna Institution who came out from Odanak. See photos from Indigenous Arts Night: Urban Voices here.