Year of Award

2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS)

Degree Name

Interdisciplinary Studies

Other Degree Name/Area of Focus

English, Enviromental, Native American

Department or School/College

Interdisciplinary Studies Program

Committee Chair

David L. Moore

Commitee Members

Phil Condon, Stephen Neyooxet Greymorning

Keywords

Anishinaabe life ways, Healing self and Community

Subject Categories

Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | Early Childhood Education | Higher Education

Abstract

Abstract: Healing Self and Community: Living Pluralism in The Anishinaabe

This thesis is a study of pluralism through Anishinaabe writers Winona LaDuke, Basil Johnston, Lynn Anderson, and others, focusing on their perceptions and pedagogies and how those perceptions inform pluralistic living. Anishinaabe methodology tends to be innately interconnected, and pluralistic. As such, it can enlighten, heal self-identity structures, and perceptions of the biosphere. I will contextualize how it is necessary to investigate the stories we learn and those we tell, how it is vital to understand where they come from. Included is analysis of how pluralism shows up in mine and other Anishinaabe life ways through the literary works of Winona LaDuke, and Last Standing Woman; Recovering the Sacred: The Power of Naming and Claiming; Basil Johnston, The Manitous: Spiritual world of the Ojibway; and Kim Anderson, Life Stages and Native Women: Memory, Teachings, and Story Medicine; and other Anishinaabe literary work. The voices of traditional Anishinaabe methodologies have much to contribute to the idea of healing self and community. The importance of taking responsibility, being honest, and being compassionate can help us move away from compartmentalized approaches and dialectic conversations that oppose each other. Instead of oppositional tactics, pluralism attempts to call for a dialogic, interdisciplinary approach that could greatly advance our current perspectives. Pluralism asks for deep inquiry into one’s self and perceptions of the world. We will see examples of inclusive, reciprocal and innovative perspectives of the Anishinaabeg. Cooperation with Indigenous people’s worldviews and pedagogies can help us be better equipped for mitigating the social, educational, and ecological concerns of our contemporary culture.

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© Copyright 2018 Andrea A. Fitzpatrick