Editorial Hands Back, Hands Forward: Revisiting Aboriginal Voices and Re-Visioning Aboriginal Research

Abstract

Elder Tsimlano, Dr. Vincent Stogan, of the Musqueam First Nation is often asked to open gatherings with a prayer. His prayer establishes an atmos­phere of respect and caring for the people and their knowledge. He asks us to form a circle and join hands in prayer. When we hold hands he asks us to extend our left palm upward to symbolize reaching back to receive the teachings of the Ancestors. We learn these teachings and they then become a part of us. We then extend our right palm facing downward to symbolize sharing these teachings with others, especially the younger generations. In this way the teachings of the Ancestors continue, and the circle of human understanding and caring grows stronger. This theme edition of the Cana­dian Journal of Native Education is in honor of the teachings of Tsimlano: Hands Back, Hands Forward: Revisiting Aboriginal Voices and Re-Visioning Aboriginal Research...