| Nisga'a, like other First
Nations people, have families that give their members a
lot of support. On this page are a number of exercieses
that will allow you to get a better idea of where this
support comes from. If
you are a First Nations person, these exercises will
allow you to get a better idea of the support your
community offers you. If you are not First Nation's you
can complete the exercises on this page in either of two
different ways:
- Interview a First Nations
person and complete the exercises with the
information they give you. Remember that you may
need to ask the "Sim'oogit" or Sigidim
Hanak"
of the "wilp" for permission to gather
some of this information.
- Many cultures appreciate
the value of extended families. Talk to your
parents or gradparents. Explain to them what a
wilp and a pdeek
are. Is there anything in your family background
that is similar?
Exercises:
Identity
- Draw a diagram similar to
the one on this page. Put yourself in the centre.
- Add the names of your
nuclear family members in the circle around you.
- write the names of the
sim'oogit and sigidimnak' of your wilp (or the
chief and martriarch of your house) on the next
circle.
- Write the name of your
pdeek in the next circle.
- Write the names of the
Nisga' communites in the last circle.
Interdependence
- Write out the names of all
the people in your nuclear family who are
dependent on the adult (s)
- Give three examples of
what you do that shows you are becoming
independent.
- (a) Ask you ye'e, jiits,
biip or daada to explain how a pdeek
of one crest and a pdeek
of another crest are interdependent. or (b)
Interview a First Nations elder about how the
families in your community are interdependent. or
(c) Think of two groups or organizations in your
community. List the ways that they rely on one
another.
- Tell how hunting is an
example of interdependence with the environment.
- Draw a chart that shows
your brothers and sisters, your mother, your
mother's brothers and sisters and your mother's
sister's chidren.
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