We offer this protocol in gratitude for the guidance and teachings of Indigenous Elders, and those who came before us to lay the foundation of this vision. ICEDAR’s protocol is inspired by the work of Dr. Jo-ann Archibald. The members of ICEDAR are committed to following these seven principles of Storywork, as outlined below:
Respect
Respect is the basis of all interactions in ICEDAR. Together, we make this a safe space for everyone by being supportive and respectful in our interactions. Respect extends to confidentiality, anything shared here stays here unless permission is given to share with others.
Relevance
The interactions and collaborations in this platform should respond to the needs, interests, and significance of the Indigenous people and communities involved. Nothing about us without us.
Reciprocity
This is a community to collaborate by exchanging or providing resources and support to one another. Reciprocity is an act of giving back knowledge, skills, resources and abilities with good intentions, guided by local needs. Giving is also done without the expectation to receive something in return.
Responsibility
We uphold the individual and collective responsibilities we have with each other and with all our relatives, including owning our actions with an open heart and mind. This means being responsible for our words and actions, including admitting when we are wrong or making amends, learning together, and following through with commitments.
Reverence
Related to the spiritual aspect of life and the depth of relationships, reverence involves taking care of your inner spirit and striving to be aware of your emotions and triggers. It guides the ethical ways to approach work with an open heart and mind.
When interacting in ICEDAR, make sure to check in with yourself, including your mental and physical wellness, and consider the wellness of others.
Synergy
ICEDAR is a space to create connections and collaborations that might evolve in creative and unexpected ways and take on a life of their own. We invite you to embrace this possibility and welcome your creativity and the creativity of others.
Interrelatedness
Honouring that we are all relatives, ICEDAR is a nurturing space to strengthen relations. Interrelatedness also considers the importance of relational accountability. Each community member recognizes they are accountable for their interactions, commitments, and to this protocol. We honour our work and our relationships by being accountable.
Wholism
Support and connection can be offered in many different physical, spiritual, mental or emotional ways. ICEDAR encourages interdisciplinary work, offering and providing different skills to complement collaborations. What one person needs may be unique, and our collective responsibility is to support each member to meet their needs as they define it.
ICEDAR upholds the principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession) of Indigenous information, as defined by the First Nations Governance Centre.
- ICEDAR members agree to seek permission from the author(s)/owner(s) before using or distributing any piece of information being shared only within ICEDAR and to acknowledge such author(s)/owner(s) at all times.
- Any person or organization is welcome to contact us should they wish to take down any piece of public information that belongs to them.
- We do our best to establish a relationship and have permission from all persons and organizations, prior to showcasing them.
- Content available for open distribution has the button ‘Share’ in proximity.
References:
Archibald, J. (2008). Indigenous storywork: Educating the heart, mind, body, and spirit. Vancouver: UBC Press.
Archibald, J. (2019). Dr. Jo-ann Archibald on Indigenous storytelling. National Center for Collaboration in Indigenous Education. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rSHifM35i4
Nicol, C., Archibald, J. and Glanfield, F. (2020). Introduction: Making a difference with/in indigenous communities. In Nicol, C. Archibald, J. Glanfield, F. and Dawson, A.J. (Eds.) Living culturally responsive mathematics education with/in indigenous communities. Brill Sense.
Wilson, S. (2008). Research is Ceremony: Indigenous research methods. Fernwood Publishing