Communicating without smoke signals

Page 4

As a reasonably avid reader and writer I am always aware of the power of the written word. Words have a unique power due to their ability to transcend time and space and convey messages to people in every aspect of life. I remember a vivid example of this power in the film Black Robe, when an Indian chief is amazed a French voyageur can interpret the symbols in a book to immediately carry a message to another voyageur nearby without saying anything. But would this incredulity be considered a genuine response by the Indian chief?

Perhaps the chief, in his own context of time, was understandably perplexed by this 'magic' and awed by the power of the symbols. Realistically, the North American Indian had many tribal symbols and images through their art and culture that astounded and undoubtedly confused the first Europeans that contacted them.

Returning to the written word, we nevertheless recognized and respect the knowledge this gift has given us as Aboriginal people. Despite its power and capacity to create good, the written word we encounter today is overwhelmed by the massive amount of printed material consumed by our society. It is impossible to digest all the information we are deluged with, making it necessary to be selective in what we read.

We have to reach out and find the words that soothe, excite and motivate us, the words that express our purpose as human beings and as Aboriginal people. In our culture, we are honored with many writers that express our thoughts and dreams. But there are many others who share their words in the oral tradition - the storytellers, the Elders. Some of these people do not read the words we offer in English for the English. The words from the oral tradition can also be expressed in written form, the syllable system or phonetics.

English, as any language, has its beauty and rhythm but also can be used as a weapon to dominate and subjugate other languages. Indian languages are survivors, although many are in danger of disappearing. We must find ways to ensure our Indian languages will continue to survive, perhaps by working with English and French to express their words in rhythm with our Indian tongue with understanding and knowledge.

We have a responsibility to share our knowledge through our languages, written and spoken., As Aboriginal people, we all have a common purpose to create the words that reflect our purpose, dreams and hopes for our children. We must take the time to read and write and speak to our people, to preserve our languages and to communicate to others. As Aboriginal people we must hear the words from our past and make it our present and our future.