Building on Conceptual Interpretations of Aboriginal Literacy in Anishinaabe Research - A Turtle Shaker Model

Oct 15, 2026

The paper develops a holistic model of Anishinaabe literacy by integrating conceptual frameworks of Aboriginal literacy with Cavanagh’s (2005) educational model of the Anishinaabe teaching wand. It situates the approach within the author’s doctoral experiences of conducting research while remaining faithful to Indigenous Knowledge traditions in a Western European academic context. The discussion emphasizes ethical responsibility for protecting and sustaining Indigenous Knowledge and presents a personal narrative centered on the carved turtle shaker as an applied example for transforming academy and schooling practices.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Holistic model of Anishinaabe literacy

Ethical responsibility for protecting Indigenous Knowledge

Turtle shaker as applied example and personal narrative

Conceptual background: knowledge bundles and research grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing

Building on Conceptual Interpretations of Aboriginal Literacy in Anishinaabe Research: A Turtle Shaker Model Brent Debassige University of Western Ontario Abstract This article comes out of the larger context of my doctoral dissertation where I investigated my experiences as an academic who attempts to remain true to Indigenous Knowledge (IK) traditions while working within a Western European intellectual setting. In this current paper, I combine the conceptual frameworks of Aboriginal literacy and Cavanagh’s (2005) holistic educational model of the Anishinaabe teaching wand to present a holistic model of Anishinaabe literacy. I then consider the ethical responsibility of protecting and sustaining IK. Finally, I share a personal narrative and detail a central model of Anishinaabe literacy—my carving of a turtle shaker. The turtle shaker model is an applied example of Anishinaabe literacy that was developed using learning gained from traditional knowledge and academic environments. The intention is for this model to facilitate the transformation of how IK is taken up in the academy and in schooling settings. Précis Cet article provient du contexte de ma thèse de doctorat, où j'ai étudié mes expériences en tant qu'universitaire qui tente de rester fidèle aux connaissancesautochtones des traditions tout en travaillant dans un cadre intellectuel européen occidental. Dans cet article, je combine les cadres conceptuels de l'alphabétisation des Autochtones et (2005) holistique modèle éducatifde Cavanagh de la baguette d'enseignement Anishinaabe de présenter un modèle holistique de l'alphabétisation Anishinaabe. Je considère ensuite la responsabilité éthique de protéger et de soutenir la connaissance autochtone. Enfin, je partage une histoire personnelle et détailler un modèle central de Anishinaabe de mes sculpture d'une tortue shaker. Le modèle shaker de tortue est un exemple d'application de l'alphabétisation Anishinaabe qui a été développé grâce à l'apprentissage acquis des savoirs traditionnels et des milieux universitaires. L'intention est que ce modèle de faciliter la transformation de la façon dont connaisances autochtones est repris dans l'académie et dans les milieux scolaires. Building on Conceptual Interpretations of Aboriginal Literacy in Anishinaabe Research: A Turtle Shaker Model This article comes out of the larger context of my doctoral research. My dissertation (Debassige, 2012) makes its contribution to Indigenous discourse by providing an examination and analysis of my personal experiences of coming-to-know Anishinaabe mino-bimaadiziwin (Good Life) and journeying as an oshkabaywis (ceremonial helper) and academic scholar (oshkabaywis-academic) . It has been my participation in ceremonies that has greatly facilitated my re-conceptualized understanding of research and literacy. My dissertation presents one pathway for informing the preparation, conduct, and expression of research grounded in an Indigenous framework of knowing and includes expressions of Anishinaabe literacy that I uncovered along the way. Through my research journey, a model and expression of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) for research that is distinctly Indigenous has emerged. I refer to this model as the turtle shaker. The purpose of this paper is to share an applied example of Anishinaabe literacy that relies on learning gained from traditional knowledge and academic learning environments. First, I present the concept of Aboriginal literacy and localize it within Anishinaabe literacy. Next, I discuss my self-referent methodological approach as framed within Anishinaabe mino-bimaadiziwin (Debassige, 2010) . I then describe and present illustrations of a carved turtle shaker, which is the central example of Anishinaabe literacy from my dissertation. The shaker, a three-dimensional spiritcentered teaching tool and musical instrument, was designed to deliver knowledge through oral transmission. In my research, I used it to give

FAQs

What model does the paper propose for Anishinaabe literacy?

It presents a holistic model of Anishinaabe literacy that combines Aboriginal literacy frameworks with Cavanagh’s (2005) holistic educational model of the Anishinaabe teaching wand, expressed through the turtle shaker example.

How is the turtle shaker used in the author’s research?

The turtle shaker is described as a three-dimensional spirit-centered teaching tool and musical instrument designed for oral transmission. The author used it to provide context for data, framed as knowledge bundles in Indigenous contexts.

Why does the paper emphasize ethical responsibility for Indigenous Knowledge?

The paper explicitly considers the ethical duty to protect and sustain Indigenous Knowledge, linking this responsibility to the transformation of how Indigenous Knowledge is taken up in academic and schooling settings.

Oct 15, 2026

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