His Mohawk name means ‘one who comes from the other side.’ A traveller at heart, movement has always been a part of Taiaiake Alfred’s life. Raised in Kahnawá:ke, Que., he now lives on the West Coast and teaches at the University of Victoria. Taiaiake Alfred is an instructor for the Indigenous governance program, and he has written three books on First Nations political structures. For his work in the field of education he has received a National Aboriginal Achievement Award.
As an educator, Taiaiake focuses on Indigenous people’s philosophies and cultures. He offers alternative government system ideas based on the wisdom of ancestors. Students in the Indigenous governance program learn about pre-colonial treaties and current land negotiations. Taiaiake is trying to give Native people a better way to assert their rights.
“It’s about Indigenous movements and resistance and different ways Native people can think about decolonization.” Taiaiake emphasizes the responsibility of students for helping to shape a better future. “It’s not a time when someone can sit back and be complacent or think that they don’t matter. It’s absolutely up to every individual because we’re in that kind of historical moment,” he said. He recognizes that young people have difficult decisions to make, but he encourages them to get an education and to stay healthy.
“Their choices, one way or the other, are gong to determine the existence of our people.” Taiaiake appreciates the rigorous education he received at a Jesuit school in Montreal. He not only learned about western history and philosophy, but about life outside his reserve.
“Being exposed to two cultures on a daily basis, going back and forth between the M o h a w k community and the non-Native community, gave me some insight in the differences between the two.” This daily commute prepared Taiaiake for a life of m o v i n g c o n f i d e n t l y between cultures. A l t h o u g h Taiaiake says that in many ways his childhood on the reserve was sheltered and protected, he learned about the warrior ideal from his Mohawk community.
“You’ll find that among Mohawk males there’s a pattern toward high-steel work or the military as two pathways where you can actually live the life that gives you the satisfaction of being a warrior,” he said. Taiaiake admits that he was after a bit of excitement when he joined the United States Marines at the age of 18.
Taiaiake writes about being a leader and warrior in his most recent book, Wasáse: Indigenous Pathways of Action and Freedom. While serving as a platoon leader, he learned how to motivate people.
“The Marine Corp is very good at training and instilling leadership skills in individuals.” Taiaiake said he was able to transfer a lot of those skills over to a general environment.
Taiaiake enjoyed the travelling and physical challenges of the Marines, but he was always interested in the politics behind conflicts. In search of greater understanding and opportunities, Taiaiake left the military to study history and political science at Concordia University. Since then he has carved his mark on the academic landscape with a PhD in government from Cornell and a Canadian Research Chair. At the University of Victoria he combined academic scholarship with ancestral knowledge to create the Indigenous governance program.
Anita Molzahn was the dean of human and social development when Taiaiake came to the university. She remembers an early caution from Taiaiake. “I’m a Mohawk, and our style is a little different than you might be used to,” he told her.
Molzahn thinks he was trying to say there was a potential for confrontation, but she grew to appreciate his directness. “He always articulated his beliefs and his position really clearly. He knew exactly where he stood on an issue. He was very reasonable and very great to work with.”
Molzahn recognizes how Taiaiake’s warrior ethic has shaped his academic philosophy.
“He talks about education being the way to change things. It’s a different kind of warrior. It’s through knowledge that we can really make a difference in terms of the future of Indigenous communities.” She relates his active political involvement. “He’s calling for action. He’s attacking the status quo verbally. There is a strategy and division that will make a difference for Indigenous people.”
Taiaiake’s commitment to the Indigenous struggle has earned him the respect of colleagues as well as students. Molzahn described Taiaiake as a dynamic and inspiring teacher.
“When he gives guest lectures there are long line-ups of students waiting to talk to him after the class. He attracts a lot of interest.” She said Taiaiake wants the program to be relevant and culturally-appropriate for his students. He also works to educate Native and non-Native people around the world. In January he was in the United States teaching a course that’s a collaboration between the University of Victoria and the University of Hawaii.
Lecturing abroad doesn’t prevent Taiaiake from being involved with local Indigenous communities. Charles Elliot, a master carver, recognizes the contributions Taiaiake makes to the West Coast Salish Nation.
“He’s been active in communities. Even through sport. He was part of helping form a lacrosse team.”
Taiaiake has also been involved in the political struggles of the Salish. When there was a threat of commercial fishing in the local bay, he helped diffuse the situation.
Elliott said Taiaiake inspires young people through both his teachings and his lifestyle.
“He’s an athlete. He’s interested in the traditional way of life. He’s a good example. He’s a warrior leader.” Elliott is glad more people will learn about Taiaiake’s work through the National Aboriginal Achievement Award.
“Those people who are chosen become role models and that’s what we need.”
A respected member of the Salish community himself, Elliott was awarded the Order of British Columbia last year. He said he was proud to have Taiaiake accompany him to the official ceremony. Their shared commitment to the revival of Indigenous art and culture is one of the reasons they became friends.
Taiaiake Alfred encourages Native people to relearn their language and reclaim their land. Recognizing the need for leaders willing to make sacrifices in the struggle ahead, he quotes a Navajo Elder: “A warrior weighs what’s in the people’s hearts and reminds them what the lands means to them. He brings them together to fight for it.” Just having returned from running a marathon in Hawaii, Taiaiake thinks it make sense that his Mohawk name reflects movement.
“It seems appropriate when you think about the life I’ve lived, going back and forth everyday as a teenager between Kahnawá:ke and Montreal. Going back and forth all the time between Native and non-Native society. Back and forth between the East and West. It just seems like a name reflective of a spirit that is motivated by wanting to move. I guess it’s a good name for me.”
Original article by Jean Paektau, Windspeaker, January 2006:
http://www.ammsa.com/achieve/AA06-T.Alfred.html
