Indigenous Business Magazine Review

Review - Feature Article:
A Dream Becomes Reality - Iroquois Teachings Come Alive on CD-ROM

One night about four years ago, Raymond Skye suddenly awoke from a compelling dream. In the dream, he found himself in a place he didn’t recognize.

The dream I had seemed strange to me. I guess this is because I did not understand it at first. Because of what I saw in my dream I realized something very powerful and meaningful had come to me. It's as though I was transported back in time to a place I had never been before. I found myself standing on a hillside overlooking a large valley. Beyond the valley was a huge lake. It was a very natural setting. All around me I could see people, Native people, dressed in buckskin clothing. I felt as though I did not belong there, and yet I felt a deep sense of belonging. As I looked around at these people there was only silence. They said nothing to me. They would look at me for a few seconds, and then turn their attention towards the valley. Down in the valley were other people. An absolute feeling of serenity surrounded me as I stood there on that hillside. For a long time I wondered what the purpose of this dream was, and what these people were trying to tell me. As time passed, I began to understand their silence. Their faces alone were telling me the time has come.

Since that time the dream has come alive. Images began to form in my mind, images that would not go away. So with pencil in hand I began my journey, sketch by sketch. As the artwork began to take form and the imagery presented itself, I realized the message I was given. .

Since 1994, Raymond Skye, a Six Nations artist has been busy following his dream. He has created a triptych (three pieces of art) in coloured pencil entitled, The Great Peace...The Gathering of Goods Minds. As the artwork evolved, powerful images emerged.

In 1995, Jeff Burnham, a close friend of Skye, and president of Working World Training Centre, was excited by what he saw. The artwork represented one of the most important events in the history of the Iroquois people. The images depicted the coming of The Great Law, sometimes referred to as The Great Peace of the Iroquois Confederacy. Centuries ago, The Great Peace brought together the warring Iroquois Nations as a united people. Ultimately, Burnham and Skye realized the powerful images in the scene held the potential to promote a greater understanding of the concept of peace.

Mr. Burnham, suggested putting their ideas on computer. They both became convinced that the computer could serve to expand on the message of peace that the artwork conveyed. Both Burnham and Skye agreed that they would go further, and with this they began work on The Great Peace... The Gathering of Good Minds CD-ROM. Burnham put his technological knowledge to good use by helping the project evolve into a multi-media extravaganza.

And now it’s ready to be released. Over 20,000 hours of work have produced a CD-ROM on Iroquois culture, history, and spirituality. The project was created by Native people, about Iroquois people, for all people. First Nations Elders, traditional leaders, writers, photographers, and musicians supplied most of the written and visual content. Educators from around the world (Canadian, Russian, and U.S.) have actively provided input into its design and content.

The CD-ROM is a comprehensive educational resource that reflects the Iroquois perspective of The Great Peace. It follows the story of The Peacemaker, the man who long ago gathered five Nations under The Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy. According to historians and Iroquois Elders, this event was so far reaching that it influenced the authors of the United States Constitution.

The CD-ROM contains volumes of information on Haudenosaunee (the correct name for First Nation’s people known as Iroquois) culture and history. It brings to life the stories, legends, and The Great Law itself. It takes users on a journey through the ages, beginning at the Creation Story, moving through Dark and Troubled Times, on to The Birth of the Great Law, then into Great Peace Interactive Journey, where the artwork appears, and ultimately ends in the Peace section which teaches morals and values based on the Great Law..

It’s packed with vivid colour, interactive educational play, and animation that seem to jump out of the screen at you. This unique learning tool, is not only for Native students, but also for non-Native students, educators, and the general public. The CD-ROM gives students and teachers alike a wealth of information.

Burnham states,
"it’s like an encyclopedia of Iroquois history."

The CD-ROM is intended to fill the gap that exists in studies related to Aboriginal peoples, and in particular where the study of Iroquoian peoples are concerned. It was developed to support the numerous learning expectations stated in The Ontario Curriculum, at various elementary grade levels, across various curriculum areas. It also appears to support draft copies of the Secondary Reform Curriculum for Native Studies, Grades 9 and 10. According to Brenda Davis, author of the curriculum resource guide which accompanies the institutional version, this CD-ROM is appropriate for Aboriginal and Native American Studies from grade 2 to PHD.

Designed for use in schools, libraries, and museums; it offers text with audio commentary, original artwork, photos, and video. There are nearly 3000 screens in all that would take more than two weeks to get through entirely.

Not only is the CD-ROM visually appealing, but you hear the stories in voices from Six Nations people. Users get to hear words and concepts in specific Iroquoian languages.

Mr. Burnham stated,

"You’ve really got to see and hear it to appreciate its educational value; it really brings our culture alive. The testing we’ve done gave us strong indications that this is just the kind of thing people are looking for to learn more about Native culture. We’re more than happy with what has come out of our three and half years of work; it’s been a labour of love. Since the outset of the project, the whole team has been very careful in the way they’ve approached it. We made sure to be sensitive to the thoughts of Native traditionalists; so we consulted with them through the entire process. I think the Chiefs and Clan Mothers understand that we’re trying to preserve history in a respectful and accurate manner."

The CD-ROM allows students to view the information at three levels of complexity: elementary, secondary, and post secondary. According to Burnham,

"younger students enjoy the educational activities that make learning fun. We’ve watched children who are four years old play with the program for over an hour. They love it! On the other end of the learning spectrum, we’ve made sure to meet the needs of more advanced learners; for example, we’ve carefully organized a bibliography that’s a truly powerful tool for the serious student or researcher. I think it’s truly amazing how it has something for everyone from Grade 2 to PHD."

"We found this product to be not only richly informative but entertaining as well. The sights and sounds in the presentation of the information enhance the experience of The Great Peace. A must-have CD-ROM for all public libraries and educational institutions."

Kathryn Shaw and Sheila Wiggins
Multimedia CD-ROM Specialists
Brantford Public Library

Both Skye and Burnham have such a passion for the project, that sales of the CD-ROM have been committed as not-for-profit. All surplus funds from sales will be channeled back into the development of other Aboriginal educational material. A foundation to handle sales is in the process of being set up. Jeff Burnham will be in charge of the marketing efforts for the CD worldwide.

Mr. Burnham continued,

"The CD ROM is not just about our history, it’s about relating the past with the requirements of today. Our way of life was built on the wisdom of our ancestors. This is an educational resource that effectively helps us to learn about and appreciate the important values that have come down through the ages. Concepts like caring, citizenship, co-existence, fairness, integrity, reasoning, and respect have just as much relevance for living today, as they did for people centuries ago."

According to Mr. Skye,

"In the past, Iroquois learning has come down to us through oral tradition. Oral teaching has always been the responsibility of the Elders within the nations. The creation of the CD-ROM is not meant to replace oral tradition, or the wisdom of the Elders, but is intended to keep our culture strong. Part of our strength lies in the true understanding of our rich traditions. The wonderful thing about this technology is that it can be used to educate people about the worthwhile message of peace. Not just peace for our people, but for all people."

The project is a joint venture between Working World Training Centre, and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Development (DIAND). Under the federal government’s initiative called Gathering Strength – Canada’s Aboriginal Plan, the government is renewing its partnership with First Nation’s people by working together to preserve and protect Aboriginal languages, heritage and culture.

According to Diane Nicol of the DIAND,

"Through partnerships like this one, we are helping to build a more balanced, realistic, and informed perspective on Aboriginal peoples and their cultures."

DIAND will distribute copies of the CD-ROM and a curriculum resource guide to all First Nations schools in Ontario, and to other schools attended by large numbers of Aboriginal students.

Finally, Burnham and Skye both agree that,

"A new century is only one year away, and for generations, our First Nation communities have struggled to maintain their languages and cultures in a world that is constantly changing. I believe this project can be a powerful force for good because by sharing parts of our history, culture, values, and spirituality we can bring understanding to many people. The teachings of our Native people tell us that with understanding trust develops. Trust in turn promotes respect and goodwill. Respect and goodwill can then be extended to all cultures. From this comes peace. This project is part of the effort to reclaim the voice, and promote the cultural strength of our communities."

For more information about the CD-ROM, or how to order, contact Working World Training Centre at (519) 753-1111 or 1(877) 862-8483. Visit The Great Peace... website at: www.greatpeace.org
email: jburnham@workingworld.ca

Indigenous Business Magazine, Vol 1, No. 1, Spring 1999