Traditional Medicine

An interview with Rufus Goodstriker, born in 1924 on the Blood Indian Reserve and attended a residential school. He tells of the origins and significance of the transfer of Indian names, especially within his own family. He also talks about Indian medicine and the power of faith; the Indian spiritual way vs. the Western technological way;of herbs, animal spirits, sweat bath in healing etc.

An interview where Rufus Goodstriker tells of his experiences as a boxing champion, rodeo cowboy and rodeo clown (1940s and 1950s).

Pages 301-398 from the Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886

Explores the more than 150 plants that are or were used ritually or medicinally smoked or smudged in northern North America.

History Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Idaho, 2003.

Discussion on various aspects of traditional knowledge, including traditional knowledge and the law, comparison of scientific and traditional approaches to knowledge, and tools for maintaining traditional knowledge.

Consists of an interview where Sam Swimmer (Yahya-num) gives a very brief account of 'bad' medicine.

Examines Navajo religion and medicine and the lack of division between the two.

Describes Inuit nutritional models as they relate to their culture, identity and diet selection.

Arid Lands Resource Sciences Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Arizona, 2002.

Report includes the following papers: Report of the Director by J. W. Powell Indian Linguistic Families of America North of Mexico by J. W. Powell The Mide'wiwin or "Grand Medicine Society" of the Ojibwa by W. J. Hoffman The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees by James Mooney

Consists of an interview with George First Rider where he tells the story of a medicine man named Bear Hat (later renamed Curlew). He tells how Bear Hat was revived after serious injury and how Bear Hat healed a young man wounded in a battle.

Discussion of various aspects of altered states of consciousness (ASCs) including types, stimulus situations and the physiology associated with them.

Master of Music Therapy Thesis, Arts and Science (M.A.)--British Columbia Open University, Burnaby, 1998.

Argues that the parallels drawn between shamanism and schizophrenia are unfounded.

Consists of an interview with George First Rider where he tells the story of a boy given supernatural powers by the bears and of his subsequent success as a healer of his own wounds and those of other people or animals.

Comments on the article, Shamans and Acute Schizophrenia by Julian Silverman in American Anthropology vol. 69, no. 1, page 21-31.

Knowledge Keeper from Pine Creek, Manitoba talks about harvesting and associated protocols, preparation, and uses of balsam and poplar bark, sage, sweet grass, and wihkes (Black flagstaff root). Duration: 46:14.

Discussions centered around defintiions of knowledge translation, desired outcomes, best practices, partnerships and processes, and future directions.

Reveals the extent to which the Labrador Inuit employed wood products to provide needed nutrition and medicinal products.

Consists of an interview with George First Rider where he explains the importance of the eagle in Blackfoot ceremonialism.

Consists of an interview with George First Rider where he tells of the importance of the antelope in Blackfoot ceremonialism and he mentions various tipi designs as well.

Researchers work with Indigenous patients to record and examine their experience of seeking and receiving care for inflammatory arthritis in an urban Alberta community; make recommendations for improving patient care and patient experience.

Looks at traditional medicines collected from the bush used to treat minor skin ailments and infections.

Examines how educators can use stories to facilitate healing and recovery in Indigenous adults.

Documentary about the work of Mary and Ed Louie, two traditional healers from British Columbia. Duration: 40:04.

Teacher's resource for documentary written and directed by Marie Burke about Mary and Ed Louie, two Sqilxw (Okanagan) traditional healers.

Native Studies Thesis (M.A.)--The University of Manitoba, 2000.

Divided into four areas: spirituality/culture, emotional/social, physical/medicine/economical, and mental/political/customs.

Discusses a unique veterinary technology course that combines traditional Navajo values, Western scientific knowledge and the management of an Elk herd.

Book review of: Strength of the Earth by Frances Densmore. Scroll down page to read review.

Examines the chemical nature of tobacco, its biological effects and its use in religious and healing ceremonies

Summary of concerns regarding promises made in Treaty #8, mostly about education and health care issues.

Describes the diet and lifestyle of the inhabitants of the Furneaux Islands, located just north of Tasmania in the Bass Strait.

Information from two Nuxalk men, Captain Schooner and Joshua Moody in Chinook jargon, about magic and medicine of plants and animals including negative powers of a "bad box."

History Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Ottawa, 1996.

Speaker talks about the importance of passing on knowledge of traditional medicines and healing practices. Duration: 22:38.

Report includes the following papers: Report of the Ethnologist-in-Charge by F. W. Hodge Uses of Plants by the Indians of the Missouri River Region by Melvin Randolph Gilmore Preliminary Account of the Antiquities of the Region between the Mancos and La Plata Rivers in Southwestern Colorado by Earl H. Morris Designs on Prehistoric Hopi Pottery by Jesse Walter Fewkes The Hawaiian Romance of Laieikawai by Martha Warren Beckwith

Consists of an interview where he shares general reminiscences of his life.

Describes traditional health practices using locally sourced ingredients

Author discusses how oral tradition is not adequately protected by patent and copyright laws which allows industry to harvest traditional knowledge for profit; uses a case study of pharmaceutical companies to illustrate how this happens.

Nursing Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Ottawa, 2004.

Principles and ceremonies of Cree spirituality.

Looks at STEM (Western science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) trained faculty partnering with Elders to learn about natural health products (NHP) at the First Nations University of Canada.

Literature review.

Series of brief documents which provide information on issues and topics relating to intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional cultural expressions and knowledge.

Compilation of information gathered from three Inuk elders outlining methods for treating common ailments.