Nehiyawak Narratives by Shalene Jobin

Nehiyawak Narratives: Upholding Indigenous Economic Relationships by Shalene Jobin analyzes the Plains Cree of Treaty Six, the Upstream People and sets out two primary arguments:

1. Economic exploitation was the first and most enduring relationship between Indigenous peoples and settlers.

2. Economic relationships are constitutive in that the relationships with land, people, and other beings create and co-create who individuals and peoples.

Ultimately, Jobin's work is centred on the discussion of Cree economic principles and practices, which can assist in the resurgence of Cree economic relationships.

The figure above represents the A ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐊᐧᐠ Nehiyawak Peoplehood Methodology that is utilized throughout the book, which uses Indigenous methodologies and Indigenous and non-Indigenous methods. As explained by Jobin, "In the north is Nehiyawewin, which is the Cree language. In the east is Nehiyawaskiy, or Cree territory. The south represents ceremonies, kiskinowâcihcikana. The west is kasispowicikew, meaning bringing the past to the future. Throughout this project, I drew from these four elements; they formed the foundation of the methodology for my gathering of knowledge."

In Chapter 9, the following normative principles guiding Cree Economic Resistance are laid out:

• ᐱᒫᒋᐦᐅᐃᐧᐣ (Pimâcihowin): The Ability to Make a Good Living

• ᑭᐢᑭᓄᐋᐧᐸᒣᐃᐧᐣ (Kiskinowâpamewin): Learning Through Observation

• ᒫᒪᐃᐧᐦ ᐃᑌᔨᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ (Mâmawi-h-itêyihtamowin): Thinking About All

• ᒪᓇᑎᓱᐃᐧᐣ (Manatisowin) Civility: Showing Respect to All of Creation

• ᓈᒋᓀᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐣ (Nâcinehikewin): Protocol and Proper Procedures

• ᐃᒣᑭᓇᐁᐧᐟ (Emekinawet): Gift-Giving

• ᑲᐦᑭᔭ ᑲᐊᐧᐦᑐᐊᐧᐠ (Kakiya kawahkotowak): We Are All Relatives

Future blog posts will elaborate on these principles further.