Gi-gikinomaage-min (we are all teachers): using history to give voice to urban native American communities. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shell-Weiss, Melanie; Bardwell, Belinda
• Is Part Of: Alternative. Volume 13:issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: urban -- oral history -- archaeology -- cultural competency -- community engagement; Indigenous peoples -- Periodicals; Maori (New Zealand people) -- Periodicals; 305.8005
• DOI: 10.1177/1177180117700797
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1177-1801

Abstract

This article explores one developing model for framing ethical, mutually beneficial collaborations between a predominantly White, non-tribal serving university and urban Native American communities. Called Gi-gikinomaage-min (We are all teachers): Defend our History, Unlock Your Spirit, this oral history documentation initiative is informed by the developing literature on best practices for archiving Native American resources as well as by revolutionary critical pedagogy. Focusing on the impact of federal Urban Relocation Programs, the project is the first collaborative effort to focus on documenting experiences of Native Americans in the Grand Rapids, Michigan metropolitan area to create a publicly accessible archive of material that can be used for teaching, research, and other educational purposes. By reflecting on the work of this project to date, we aim for these efforts to become part of the larger, international conversation.