Document Analysis Assignment Instructions
Cover page with title INDIGENOUS ART, KNOWLEDGE, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
There are two ‘documents’ included in this document series. You must include both in your analysis.
The 2 documents are as follows:
1) Indigenous Arts Protocols https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6VuHJi6O0Q
2) “How to Steal a Canoe” by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson (Mississauga Nishnaabeg) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp5oGZ1r60g
Document series engages a discussion about Indigenous art, knowledge production/world making (another way to think about what epistemology means), and human rights over knowledge ownership.
One of the clips features several Indigenous artists, thinkers, and musicians talking about Indigenous protocols and the question of ethical engagement and ‘reciprocity’ with Indigenous epistemological creativity.
The second clip is an animated version of a short story written by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson. It deals with settler colonialism, stolen knowledge, and the issue of reparations/returning of Indigenous art to its rightful place/owner. If you chose this document series, you are being asked to think about: what we mean by Indigenous knowledge? How Indigenous knowledge is used? how is ownership of that knowledge connected to colonial violence and power? how to define ‘responsibility’ and what is an ethical way to deal with Indigenous art in the context of settler societies?
Assignment can be divided in three sections:
1. a section outlining (but not summarizing) the main points and arguments made in the two clips provided;
2. a second section that includes an analysis and explanation about the history of colonial and racial violence and the stealing of Indigenous art/knowledge (there is no shortage of information on this); and
3. a third section that includes an analysis of how the material in the documents can help you directly illustrate the theoretical concepts about ethics, epistemic violence, solidarity, colonial violence, etc.
NOTE: You are required to do research for this assignment. This means that you must find peer- reviewed articles, chapters in books, or monographs to complete this assignment .
You might want to consult work done by Linda Tuhiwai Smith such as her book titled, Decolonizing Methodologies.
