Unit 13: Indigenous Peoples: Building Communication Competence

Introduction

Understanding how to effectively communicate with Indigenous peoples deserves special consideration and focus.  Considering the deep, rich, important, and long history of Indigenous peoples, learning how to communicate effectively with them is an opportunity to understand a set of perspectives and values fundamental to Canadian culture.   What’s more, these perspectives and values can help all of us communicate in a more effective and inclusive manner.

The Importance of Terminology 

Deciding what terminology to use to identify Indigenous people is important, especially considering the historical and present context in which terminology is used to marginalize and oppress the original inhabitants of this land. The word Indigenous is itself a good place to start. Those who are considered Indigenous today, are descendants of people who were living on this land prior to colonization by Europeans.

In what is now known as Canada, there are three distinct groups of Indigenous people — First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. According to their own traditions and teachings, the Inuit and First Nations people have been on this land since time immemorial (forever). People who identify as Métis are descendants of First Nations and European parentage.

Indigenous people identify themselves in many different ways. A term that one person embraces could offend another. It is important to be respectful of how Indigenous people themselves want or choose to be identified.

To get started, watch the video below, How to Talk About Indigenous People, that clearly explains use of the terms Indigenous, Aboriginal, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

Consider as you view the video:

• What is your own level of comfort or awareness about what terms to use in relation to the people Indigenous to Turtle Island?
• What terms did you learn growing up?
• If you are not Canadian born, what terms might you have heard used to refer to people who are First Nations, Métis, and Inuit?

Select the an icon to learn more about each group.

To continue learning the terminology around communicating with Indigenous peoples, open each term to learn its meaning.

Increasing communication competence with Indigenous peoples requires the effort to ensure that we use correct terminology in our interactions.  Doing so, is important for clear dialogue and building a sense of inclusion.  It is our responsibility to “recognize the potential these words may hold…how identity is created and defined,… and their impacts on the day-to-day experiences of [Indigenous] peoples” (Kesler, 2020, para. 21).

The following are suggestions for using terminology in a respectful manner when communicating with and about Indigenous peoples.

Visit the chapter on Inclusive Language for additional suggestions on the correct use of terminology.

The Medicine Wheel

The Medicine Wheel is a concept of how to live life in balance.   The Medicine Wheel considers four aspects of the self — your emotions, your body, your intellect, and your spiritual self interconnected to land and in relationship to others (family, communities, nations). The Medicine Wheel also reinforces the significance of the circle. Life is not a straight line from birth to death but rather a circle of ongoing learning.  This worldview is a way of thinking or living by a person, a group, or a society. In general, a worldview is a set of values and beliefs that are upheld and respected by individuals. An individual or group’s worldview affects how they relate to the people, animals, and other elements of their environment.  Developing communication competence involves acknowledging this worldview to ensure that indigenous peoples have their cultural integrity not only valued by honoured (Tierney & Jun, 2011).

The Medicine Wheel is depicted below .  Open each quadrant to reveal its meaning.

Our world view is fundamental to how we communicate with each other.   The following video, In Our  Voices: Indigenous Worldview, further explores the connection between communication and a worldview.

Principles to Develop Communication Competence

The following  information presents principles to develop inclusive, safe, and successful communication with Indigenous peoples.

Although the principles presented are not exhaustive, they do offer a starting point to begin developing communication competence with Indigenous peoples.

Conclusion

Successful relationships depend on effective communication.  As you have already learned in this course, communication is successful when the sender and receiver have a mutual understanding of information.  For some of us, continuous, ongoing, and intentional efforts will be necessary to learn and use correct terminology relevant to Indigenous peoples, understand the Indigenous worldview, and utilize Indigenous principles of communication.  However, the potential impact of these new understandings is well worth the effort.  Developing these skills will not only add to your ability to communicate effectively in your interactions with Indigenous peoples, but in all interactions in other aspects of your life.