Module 2 Section 6

Question 1

Epidemiology and Oral History

Answer 1

• Each example throughout this module uses traditional epidemiological statistics and measures to describe the burden of a disease
• This is typical in most cultures that use and rely on Western medicine. However, many communities, including Indigenous communities around the world, keep track of and pass on knowledge of the burdens of a specific disease through storytelling, oral history, and oral record keeping in addition to written record keeping

Question 2

Oral Histories, Traditions, and Storytelling

Answer 2

• While many Western communities have placed an emphasis on the written word as the main form of record keeping, many Indigenous communities have utilized and relied on the transmission of oral histories, lessons, and other knowledge to keep a historical record of events
• Oral histories and storytelling both convey events from the past and offer lessons or cautionary tales to the listener. Oral histories are more specific to a time period or special event that happened, and are often considered historically accurate. In contrast, storytelling gives the storyteller more creative and imaginative liberty to better emphasize the teaching or lesson. For example, some stories may be cautionary tales of past events, or simply based on community and traditional values
• In some Indigenous communities, specific individuals are selected to be the orators, to carry forward these stories and histories. These orators would have the permission to tell the stories even if they were not their stories originally. Each orator has the ability to add their own experience to the story, therefore increasing the protective knowledge held within the stories. If the community loses the people that have the protective stories, then these communities lose that protective effect

Question 3

Orators

Answer 3

The orators are the public speakers of the community. Typically, these individuals are selected
for their position based on the community’s clan system. For example, within the Mohawks of the Bay
of Quinte, the Turtle clan is generally regarded as the storytellers.

Question 4

Healing Through Storytelling

Answer 4

Although they do not include quantitative records, many stories that are shared within Indigenous communities make reference to healing. Traditional storytellers, such as Louise Profeit-LeBlanc from the Na-cho Nyak Dun First Nation has been storytelling for over 30 year

Question 5

Accuracy of Oral Record Keeping

Answer 5

Although Western communities often consider oral record keeping as less accurate, this is not the case. Indigenous oral record keeping is completed through complex and sophisticated ways including performative practices such as dancing and drumming. Many scholars have studied the effectiveness and accuracy of these oral histories, including Canadian scholars such as Renée Hulan and Renate Eigenbrod

Question 6

Oral Traditions

Answer 6

“The means by which knowledge is reproduced, preserved and conveyed from generation to generation. Oral traditions form the foundation of Aboriginal societies, connecting speaker and listener in communal experience and uniting past and present in memory”

Question 7

Dancing and drumming

Answer 7

From early times, many Indigenous communities have used songs and
dancing to recount legends, stories, and traditions. Accompanied by the rhythmic beat of drums,
dancers use motions that act out the words of the songs - usually reenactments of great feats
accomplished by previous generations

Question 8

Blending Oral and Written Record Keeping

Answer 8

• Many societies that use oral record keeping have now begun to utilize written word to document events; however, many communities continue to use oral traditions as their main form of knowledge transmission, and consider it an intrinsic component of their culture and society
• One example of the blending of oral and written record keeping was during both the SARS outbreak and smallpox pandemic. Many Western communities leveraged their knowledge, previous experience, and records from the SARS outbreak to prepare and combat the COVID-19 pandemic. As Meaghie Champion writes, some Indigenous communities in Canada have used not only their previous experience and knowledge of SARS, but their experience with smallpox to help in the fight against COVID-19. Using their oral histories of how dangerous previous diseases can be, written stories, and epidemiology, many Indigenous communities in Canada were more likely to and did in fact impose strict lockdowns and measures to control the spread of COVID-19 on and off reserves

Question 9

Indigenous Communities Coping with COVID-19

Answer 9

In addition to protecting the community through strict road closures and limiting travel, oral histories and traditions also reminded many Indigenous communities of one thing; to stay together like one big family. For example, Indigenous communities such as Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory have used their oral history to recognize the importance of vigilance, as well as staying connected within the community