Traditional Family Parenting – Indigenous Child Development

The western world has only begun to understand and honour Indigenous knowledge systems and views on Child Development. It is now time to reclaim Traditional Knowledge and provide the unique perspectives by our own people sharing Indigenous philosophies. Decolonization is the process of Reclaiming of who we are as Indigenous people; by reaching into our past and connecting with our Ancestral identity in order to heal our people. We are witnessing harmful colonial cycles unfolding as many are in the healing process to make positive changes.

In promoting the pride and traditional teachings with our people we will make a better future for the next generation. Traditional teachings are a source of strength, identity and survival that helped us to understand who we are and how to relate to the natural world. The teachings are still in our communities where they have been sacredly held. The teachings are here for generations to come, as parents and grandparents we have a duty and the responsibility to ensure that they are shared and promote parenting practices of our ancestors.

Teachings came in many forms, some are from an ancient time when the world was a very different place, before it changed to the world we see today. Some are teachings of the natural world which were lessons from the animals, birds, fish, plants and trees, nature was the original teacher. The Creator made plants and animals first we learned about relationships and parenting skills from the animals. How nature parents is how we parent, Grandparents were the teachers, sharing the wisdom gained through years of life experience, taught and role modelling the importance of choosing words carefully to not bring harm to another and be careful in how you walk so the generations to come will know how to walk in a good way.

SPEAKER:  Ko’ona Saber – Ko’ona is member of the Bizhiw doodem (Lynx Clan) raised in Peguis First Nation, where her father Walter George Cochrane was integral in the reclamation of indigenous cultural practices prior to her birth in 1970. As a single mother to a strong, spirited child Ko’ona has much personal and professional experience in advocating and assisting families who have children with additional support needs. Ko’ona has extensive experience in helping to strengthen and support indigenous families through work in health promotion, indigenous issues, community development in addition to providing cultural programs and supportive services. She has been sharing her traditional teachings for over thirty years, primarily teaching with her indigenous hand drum and medicine bundle. After studying and working in Ottawa, she returned to Manitoba in 2006 and obtained an Early Childhood Education diploma from Red River College 2010. June 21, 2017 Ko’ona married Ivon Saber a land-owner at Ayers Cove on east Lake Winnipeg, where they spend their days during the warm seasons.

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