An Introduction to Understanding and Appreciating the Teachings of Mi'kmaq Elder Albert Marshall - Introducing Netukulimk (~Sustainability) and Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing)

Understanding and Appreciating the Teachings of Mi'kmaq Elder Albert Marshall

Brady Doucette - October 7, 2022

My Relationship with Elder Albert Marshall

Growing up as an individual who enthusiastic to learn, I always gravitated towards the Elders within Mi'kmaq Nations, as the knowledge they could bestow upon me in an interaction would fuel my desire to learn even more, and Elder Albert Marshall, of Eskasoni, Mi'kmaq Nation, is someone whom many respect, including myself, as he is one of the most inspiring Indigenous knowledge holders of this generation. When listening to Elder Albert speak, I am completely enthralled by what he has to say, his cadence is extremely captivating to all in the room, leaving his audience inspired - when I grow up, I aspire to be like Albert.

Mi'kmaq Elder Albert Marshall of Eskasoni, Mi'kmaq Nation (Royal College Staff, 2022.).

Netukulimk (~Sustainability)

Elder Albert Marshall explains Netukulimk, a Mi'kmaq word (UINR, 2011.).

Sustainability is often complex (Margaret Robertson, 2014.) is best represented through the Mi'kmaq word Netukulimk, as mentioned by Elder Albert, which is not a literal translation of sustainability, but an embodiment of the word, since it is a way in life which, in the present, acknowledges the mistakes of the past seven generations with our resources, to ensure the next seven generations with said resources. Netukulimk focuses on the idea of interconnectedness and realizing we as human beings are not superior to nature, but a part of it (Kerry Prosper, et al. 2011.). In Mi'kmaq culture it is believed that anything which casts a shadow is alive in the physical world, which is the most beautiful part being Mi'kmaq in my experience, as it highlights that we are no different than anything else in our world. 

Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing)

Elder Albert Marshall Explains Two-Eyed Seeing (World Circular Economic Forum, 2021).

Another teaching of Elder Albert's is, Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing, which focuses on acknowledging the importance of both traditional knowledge and modern science (Andrea J. Reid, et al. 2020.). An important facet to Two-Eyed Seeing is that it is not exclusive to Mi'kmaq, or even Indigenous point of views; making Two-Eyed Seeing a tool, educators from around the globe could use to end the cultural assimilation of knowledge systems that have almost been forgotten in co-existence with present day mainstream knowledge (A. L. Wright, et al. 2019.). Utilizing all sources of knowledge, despite its origin, with mutual respect would be a great next step in the evolution of academia, as it allows all voices to be heard and treated equally. 

Coined in 2004 by Elder Albert Marshall, his wife, Murdena Marshall, and former Cape Breton University professor, Dr. Cheryl Bartlett, Two-Eyed Seeing has made great impact on the acceptance of all knowledge systems being treated equally (Cheryl Bartlett, et al. 2012). Both Elder Albert Marshall, and his wife Murdena were recipients of Honorary Doctorates at Cape Breton University in 2009 for their contributions to Integrative Science (Cheryl Bartlett, 2011.). Listening to Marshall address Two-Eyed Seeing has helped me realize the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (Amber Giles, et al. 2016.) sustainability and to better appreciate our source of life, the natural world, and all of the teachings it could offer us if we take a step back and look with both eyes.

Mi'kmaq Elder Murdena Marshall of Eskasoni, Mi'kmaq Nation (Mi'kmaq-Maliseet Nations News, 2018).

The Marshall Elder's receiving their Honorary Doctorates at Cape Breton University. (Institution of Integrative Science and Health, 2009).

Former Cape Breton University Professor, Dr. Cheryl Bartlett, and Mi'kmaq Elder Albert Marshall (EdCan, 2018).

 

Representation of the steps taken when utilizing Two-Eyed Seeing in research (Reid, 2020).

My Relationship with Two-Eyed Seeing as a Student and a Future Educator

Dr. Cheryl Bartlett, and Elders Albert and Murdena Marshall on Two-Eyed Seeing (Institution of Integrative Science and Health, 2013).

Two-Eyed Seeing began as a way to inspire Indigenous students to enroll into a post-secondary program, and it was not until I began to focus on Two-Eyed Seeing in my undergrad, in great detail, that I began to build confidence in myself as a mix raced, Mi'kmaq student with white passing privilege because it inspired me, which made me a better student. Having an interdisciplinary environmental studies degree, with the goals of becoming an educator, I would like to take a more, holistic, Two-Eyed Seeing approach to teaching (Annamarie Hatcher, et al. 2009.), outside of the colonized classrooms I have spent a majority of my life within, and into the natural world, which could give intrinsic value to the learning experience, and materials I provide my future students with.

Cape Breton University is on the Unceded Territory of my Ancestors (Rima Wilkes, et al. 2017.), the Mi'kmaq, and if it were not for Elders such as Albert, who held on to the teachings of his family before him, teachings such as these would have been lost to the Residential School System (Annamarie Hatcher, et al. 2009), which Albert unfortunately endured during his youth. I choose to honor the teachings of Elder Albert and share them with others whenever I am given the opportunity -- which is why I chose to create a Two-Eyed Seeing Guide to Cape Breton University giving visitors, students and faculty member a better understanding of campus from an Indigenous perspective. 

REFERENCES

Bartlett, C. (2011). Integrative Science/Toqwa'tu'kl Kjijitaqnn: The story of our journey in bringing together Indigenous and Western scientific knowledges. Ta’N Wetapeksi’k: Understanding where we come from, 179-186.

Bartlett, C., Marshall, M., & Marshall, A. (2012). Two-eyed seeing and other lessons learned within a co-learning journey of bringing together indigenous and mainstream knowledges and ways of knowing. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 2(4), 331-340.

Giles, A., Fanning, L., Denny, S., & Paul, T. (2016). Improving the American eel fishery through the incorporation of indigenous knowledge into policy level decision making in Canada. Human ecology, 44(2), 167-183.

Hatcher, A., Bartlett, C., Marshall, A., & Marshall, M. (2009). Two-eyed seeing in the classroom environment: Concepts, approaches, and challenges. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 9(3), 141-153.

Hatcher, A., Bartlett, C., Marshall, M., & Marshall, A. (2009). Two-Eyed Seeing: A cross-cultural science journey. Green Teacher, (86), 3.

M’sɨt No’kmaq, Marshall, A., Beazley, K. F., Hum, J., Joudry, S., Papadopoulos, A., ... & Zurba, M. (2021). “Awakening the sleeping giant”: re-Indigenization principles for transforming biodiversity conservation in Canada and beyond. Facets, 6(1), 839-869.

Prosper, K., McMillan, L. J., Davis, A. A., & Moffitt, M. (2011). Returning to Netukulimk: Mi’kmaq cultural and spiritual connections with resource stewardship and self-governance. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 2(4), 7.

Robertson, M. (2014). Sustainability principles and practice. Routledge.

Wilkes, R., Duong, A., Kesler, L., & Ramos, H. (2017). Canadian university acknowledgment of Indigenous lands, treaties, and peoples. Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue canadienne de sociologie, 54(1), 89-120.