With a commitment to cultural revitalization and supporting Elders within the First Nations community, the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), has created an “Elder Protocol”; a document that shares the appropriate etiquette when requesting the presence of an Elder or Knowledge Keeper at events.
An Elder, or Knowledge Keeper, is often an elderly Indigenous person who is held in the highest of regard amongst the people. Their lived experiences; understanding of the First Nations language; and their knowledge of ceremony, medicine, and tradition, grants them the title of Elder. The title of Elder does not only belong to the elderly as, in some instances, a person could be granted the title while they are young, due to their vast knowledge in relation to practices and ceremonies. Another term you may hear in reference to this person is “Traditionalist”. The document's purpose is to ensure that Elders are shown the utmost respect and care.
The conversation on creating an Elder Protocol started nearly two years ago between JEDI’s Indigenous Reconciliation Awareness Module Coordinator and the Provincial Indigenous Employment Coordinator. With the rise in the cost of living, communities wanted to ensure their Elders were protected, appropriately taken care of, and compensated for their time. A set standard for an honorarium and additional expenses was established. After careful consideration, and consultation with 10 different Elders from local First Nations Communities, it was decided that it would be best if the protocol was shared by an Indigenous Organization to accurately represent cultural safety and respect with the public.
After extensive research by JEDI’s Indigenous Training Assistant, Tiger Levi, he found a strong lack in education relating to what the most respectful interaction with an Elder should look like.
“Our culture grounds us in the need to honour the ones who hold knowledge. Our communities' cultural traditions have been buried due to colonialism, and a document such as this helps the important reimplementation of these traditions into the workforce and is accessible for use to those outside the community as well.”
- Tiger Levi, JEDI’s Indigenous Training Assistant
With 16 Indigenous communities in New Brunswick alone, along with several different Indigenous organizations and academic institutions, there are still very few documents that share the same detailed guide as the Elder Protocol created by JEDI. The Elder protocol was launched at the Indigenous Workforce Summit on June 6, 2024, which was hosted by JEDI along with the Wolastoqey Tribal Council Inc. (WTCI), to share with allies on how they can incorporate this into future workplans.
“We hope that having these resources accessible to those in and outside our community will encourage positive education on First Nations Peoples and strengthen the path to truth and reconciliation.”
- Stanley Barnaby, CEO of the Joint Economic Development Initiative