H.T.K.

Honouring Traditional Knowledge

http://blip.tv/play/AYKxzVUA

This flim was about honouring our traditional knowledge. It was a gathering of elder's from different communities coming together to exchange ideas on how to keep our traditions alive. The time period for which this video was set was in the year 2010.
The elder's were discussing who should have access to our traditional knowledge and whether it should be documented for future reference. One of the elder's mentioned that if we don't seek this knowledge from our elder's then our elder's are going to move away (pass into the spirit world I think is what she meant) and the same happens with our medicine. If we don't make use of them then they too will move away.
I see the same thing happening in my community, nobody talks to the elder's anymore. They only go to the elder's house for work as per their job requirements. They don't sit down to listen to what they have to say. When I hear the words, Traditional Knowledge I think of elder's because they have absorbed so much knowledge throughout their lives.
Watching this film I would say that Murdena Marshall stood out the most. Everything she said was interesting to hear and she was right on, she said it all the way it was and still is. She was so focused on her topics it made me want to hear more of what she has to say.
I noticed a few of the elder's kept mentioning protocal, but when I visit my grandmother I don't offer her tobacco just to speak with her. The only protocal I follow is to just respect her and follow proper manners. You won't see me cursing in front of her ever, and that's out of respect. The only time we offer tobacco is if we go to the graveyard and ask our family members who have passed to help guide us or protect us if someone in the family is sick.
After watching this film, I felt hurt. You hear about our traditions quickly slipping away and you see it, but you always think well maybe someone will do something about this. But I think now, I have to do something about this. I think the elder's are slowly getting their point across to the younger generations, maybe just not quick enough. I hope more people get to view this video. I personally enjoyed this video, I like hearing what our elder's have to say.