Four Directions Teaching is another example of an Indigenous digital media project which presents traditional stories and Elder teachings in an interactive website. The project reflects Indigenous cultural protocols regarding the digital storage and representation of community-held knowledge.
Four Directions was set up by Dr. Jennifer Wemigwans, Anishnaabekwe (Ojibwe/ Potawatomi) from Wikwemikong First Nation, near Sault St. Marie and Sudbury in Ontario. She earned a PhD at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Wemigwans’ book, A Digital Bundle: Protecting and Promoting Indigenous Knowledge Online (2018), “frames digital technology as an important tool for self-determination and idea sharing, ultimately contributing to Indigenous resurgence and nation building”, according to the publisher’s description. The book describes and assesses her Four Directions Teaching Project in depth from an Indigenous perspective.
Later, we will watch some videos that Dr. Wemigwans made about community-led technology development in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
FourDirectionsTeaching.com was produced in association with National Indigenous Literacy Association and Department of Canadian Heritage. The goal was to:
“Create an engaging site where people could experience Indigenous knowledge and philosophy, and which educators can use to incorporate into their curriculum…[The website] honours oral traditions by creating and environment where the visitor is encouraged to listen with intent as each Elder or traditional teacher shares a teaching from their perspective on the richness and value of cultural traditions from their nation” (p.31).
The project’s National Advisory Committee approached several Elders and traditional teachers to ask them to participate in the Four Directions project. This was to ensure a respectful and accountable community-based development approach. These advisors helped Dr. Wemigwans work through the challenges of accessing and putting Indigenous knowledge online.