Honouring First Nations Knowledge Keepers – Doris Camsell

Posted on June 14, 2021

Celebrate National Indigenous History Month by honouring First Nations Knowledge Keepers. In this video, Knowledge Keeper Doris Camsell discusses the importance of resurrecting language and cultural teachings in First Nations schools. She talks about preparing students for the future by teaching hands on skills that will help their communities. She believes that literacy in traditional languages is important for today’s students and that we can all have the ability to learn new languages by reading. She urges elders to come together to help each other so that they can effectively pass on traditional knowledge to new generations.

Born in Fort Providence, NT, Doris Camsell was raised on the land by her parents Albert and Caroline Bonnetrouge. She holds a B.ED in education, BA in anthropology and archaeology, a Masters in land based education, and a certification in Linguistics. She participated in the development of the Dene Curriculum for the north, has translated numerous books in Dene Zhatie, and translated and transcribed for the movie Three Feathers. She taught for 28 years at all four schools in Hay River, NT, and is now retired. She is currently a representative on the National Indian Education Council for Dene Nation and is working on keeping her language alive through Dene Literacy.

The First Nations Education Administrators Association’s “Gathering Place” Knowledge Keepers Talking Circle took place on March 10, 2021, on Zoom. The Knowledge Keepers spoke on the power of culture, storytelling, and land-based education. In this series, Knowledge Keepers tell stories for pandemic times, discuss First Nations education, lessons learned and best practices.