What I Learned from the Indigenous Literary Studies Association Conference

 

Last week I travelled to Winnipeg to attend and present at the Indigenous Literary Studies Association's (ILSA)  annual conference. For those of you who don't know, I am currently completing a PhD in Indigenous Literatures, so joining this association was a no-brainer. While conferences are always a bit daunting, especially when attending as a student as opposed to a professor, I took away a lot of important stuff about reading and studying Indigenous Literatures. So I thought I'd share a few things about what went down! 

Something that really stood out to me was a statement made on my first night there by Dene and Métis poet and photographer Tenille Campbell. Campbell was asked a question about her opinions on graduate school and toxicity that can sometimes brew between students and teachers. She mentioned that in her Dene community, they do not see people as being "masters" of anything. That is to say, no matter how much education a person has on a subject, that does not mean that they are now the expert. Everyone is constantly learning something at their stage of life, and we all have something important to learn from each other. Her statement really resonated with me, because especially as a student, it can sometimes be daunting to challenge a professor or even just let your statement be heard. I was baffled that on the panel I presented in, I could see professors taking notes on what I was saying. I thought to myself: "you guys are the experts, what could you possibly have to learn from me?" So Campbell's words helped to destabilize some of the hierarchal things I have been taught in school, and made me feel more comfortable at the conference. I think her words could be applicable in a lot of situations too, outside of the classroom. 

Joshua Whitehead (Peguis First Nation) is a writer and poet who I have always admired. I've mentioned him a few times on this blog as well! He gave the keynote speech at the conference which I was super excited for. He mentioned that when he reads books from communities he is not a part of (such as books by Black authors), he always remembers that he is a guest to those pages. Just as I (as a settler scholar) am a guest to Indigenous Literatures, Whitehead invited us all to consider how viewing ourselves as guests to specific pieces of writing can help us to look at that writing with more respect. We can consider how the author is gifting us their writing, and so it is important that we treat that writing with respect. This could be by not judging if there is a cultural piece of information we do not understand, and instead conducting ethical research to learn more where appropriate. I thought his words were very profound, and a lot of people may benefit from looking at their reading through this worldview. 

I would say the most important thing I learned from listening to a bunch of different scholars speak is that community is super important. Fostering a dialogue between people from various backgrounds helps us to understand our differences a bit better and create bonds based on mutual respect and reciprocity. Moreover, understanding our relationship to land and natural resources is integral to treating the land with respect so that future generations have cleaner land to look forward to. When walking around the conference grounds, my friend and I came across a man who was tending to a fire to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women. He asked us if we would like to offer some tobacco to the fire and say a prayer. His careful instructions and our listening allowed us to respectfully participate in a practice of giving something to the fire and reflecting on how we can be good allies by supporting this incredibly important cause. This was definitely one of the most important parts of my trip and will be something that I'll remember forever. 

Overall, my few days in Winnipeg were met with a lot of important opportunities. From learning about different nations, viewing traditional dance and art pieces, and overall being able to engage with scholars I've admired for a long time, each moment was a period of profound reflection. While I do have travel anxiety and was iffy about attending in the first place, I am happy that I pushed myself to embark on this experience. I ultimately think it made me a better student and overall a better human too. 

Do you read Indigenous Literatures? Have you ever attended a presentation that stuck out to you? 

Emily @ Paperback Princess