Dr. Kiera Brant-Birioukov | Faculty of Education, York University
Friday, September 27, 2024 | 12:30-2:00 p.m. (PST) | Via Zoom
View the Seminar Poster
For Zoom details, please email edcp.educ@ubc.ca
Faculty Host: Dr. William Pinar
Abstract:
For generations prior to European contact, the Haudenosaunee (Six Nations) people of Turtle Island refined an ancient Indigenous knowledge system. This knowledge system is rooted in a relationship with the natural world and Sky World, where the philosophical foundation of Haudenosaunee knowledge emerges. Corn is a central element to Haudenosaunee thought, culture, and ceremony. This seminar invites the audience into an immersive journey through the Haudenosaunee teachings of corn. In the Haudenosaunee method of preparing corn, it must undergo a vigorous boil to transform through a process called corn washing. Corn emerges on the other side of a boil as renewed and prepared to nourish others – offering us rich principles to inform a curricular discourse. In this talk, Kiera Brant-Birioukov (Kanyen’keha:ka, Haudenosaunee Confederacy) will trace the journey corn to propose a Haudenosaunee discourse that is grounded in an ancient consciousness and modern teachings, to consider the implications of corn for curricular discourse and educational theory.
Short Bio:
Kiera Brant-Birioukov (Kanyen’kehà:ka) is from Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, ON). Kiera is interested in Indigenous thought and knowledge in education, curriculum studies, teacher education, and reconciliatory pedagogies. Her work and research are grounded in Haudenosaunee thought, educational theory, philosophy, autobiography, and Creation Stories. Her PhD dissertation considers the value of Kanenhstóhare Onòn:tara (Lyed Corn Soup) as a theoretical framework for Haudenosaunee education. She has published on Indigenous teacher education, curriculum theory, reconciliatory pedagogies, and the phenomenon of Indigenous resilience, adaptation and ingenuity in Canada.
Her current research projects include working with the Frederick W. Waugh project to repatriate historical documents of Haudenosaunee culture, life, and stories to community members in the creation of educational resources and materials.
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