Abstract
Niimíipuu language is the heartbeat of the culture. Colonization interrupted this relationship between the Niimíipuu and their language, traditional stories, and land. It is vital to reclaim these relationships and their knowledge systems. Today, only a handful of Niimíipuu fluent speakers and knowledgeable storytellers remain, which was a motivating factor in conducting this study. This study aims to reclaim the Niimíipuu knowledge in the stories and the language, which contains rich teachings that can benefit one's lifetime.
This qualitative study investigates the relationship between the stories, language, and land specifically for and among the Niimíipuu Female Educators. The research paradigm is based on Indigenous land-based and storywork frameworks. The research design included Indigenous research methodologies and methods such as Talking Circles (Focus Groups) with Niimíipuu Female Educators. This research also drew upon the knowledge of Storytellers and Niimíipuu Language Advisors/Teachers. The data was analyzed using Indigenous methodologies, which included collective synthesis using Storywork and Conversational Method.
The research question, “What new Niimíipuu knowledge did the Niimíipuu Female Educators have of the stories after the Niimíipuu Female Educator’s Talking Circles?” resulted in the Female Educators synthesizing knowledge. The Niimíipuu women’s relationship with the stories, language, and land was damaged and, in some cases, severed due to settler colonialism. However, collectively, they contributed to creating new knowledge with a key finding: Fox teaches Forgiveness. The findings also suggest that ‘re-membering’ and telling stories are communal.
This research can benefit Niimíipuu educators by reclaiming stories and language in schools and the community, serving as a blueprint for other Indigenous researchers. These findings also indicate the need for access to story resources. A significant finding implies that stories and language promote wellness, supporting findings in Indigenous story research.
Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, language, traditional stories, land-based pedagogy, reclamation, indigenous methodologies, decolonization, niimíipuu, Nez Perce.