“The earth is sacred and men and animals are but one part of it.
Treat the earth with respect so that it lasts for centuries to come and is a place of wonder and beauty for our children.”
Geronimo carving buffalo meat in Oklahoma. 1909.
"And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell, and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being." - Black Elk, Black Elk Speaks
Three time world hoop dancing champion, Dallas Arcand explains how dancing in circles has taught him to find a healthy balance in life.
His journey of self-discovery inspired his belief in the ability of circles to restore harmony.
Dallas also shares his culture and performs a special hoop dance to illustrate the athletic and creative art form that saved his life.
Dallas Arcand is a high energy Aboriginal Entertainer from the Alexander (Kipohtakaw) Cree Nation near Edmonton, and world champion hoop dancer.
Arcand is also a renowned musician and motivational speaker, facilitating workshops for aboriginal people of all ages, speaking on topics ranging from self-awareness to personal motivation.
His Aboriginal name is ‘Dancing Buffalo Man’ (Nimihto Paskwa Mostôs Napew), and for many years Arcand had no idea that dancing would become a major influence in his life.
A graduate of Mount Royal College with a General Studies Diploma majoring in Behavioural Sciences, he now delights in sharing his culture through this athletic and creative art form.
Dawn Martin-Hill (Mohawk, Wolf Clan) holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and is one of the original founders of the Indigenous Studies Program at McMaster University, where she recently accepted a position as the Paul R McPherson Chair in Indigenous Studies Research.
Her research includes: Indigenous knowledge & health prevention, Indigenous women, traditional medicine & well-being, and Indigenous methodologies & community research. Dr. Martin-Hill has her own book, The Lubicon Lake Nation: Indigenous Knowledge and Power (UofT 2007), which outlines the human and environmental impact of oil in Alberta on the cultural survival of the Lubicon Cree. She is also principal investigator of a SSHRC grant for the Digitization of Ceremonies in the Hewitt Collection and co-investigator of the Indigenous Health Research Development Program, a CIHR-IAPH grant for the Network Environments in Aboriginal Health Research.
How you ever wondered what is it like to live in an indigenous community?
Iowa native, Dr. Allen Manning’s immersion into a Navajo community changed the way he looks at indigenous people.
Through tales of his Navajo family, Allen breaks stereotypes and shares his experience with his Navajo family.
Allen Manning is an outdoor loving Davenport, Iowa native. He studied anthropology and the Navajo language. His decision to leave everything and go to live with a traditional Navajo family changed his life.
His family taught him to herd sheep, chop wood, and to live as a Navajo.
Later in life, he received his doctorate in education and went to work in New York City, helping big banks develop training for their employees.
Mr. Manning went from a Navajo hogan to working on Wall Street. Manning currently lives in Decorah with his partner, Linda Silber, who teaches at Luther College.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
