Deep conversations with strangers

This is part one of a two-part deep conversation with K. Fran Davis, who’s Haudenosaunee  from the Grand River Territory. She is an Indigenous consultant, researcher, teacher, and owner of Indigenous Learn: Two Row Education Services. 

In this episode, we learn a bit about Davis’ life story and her journey to becoming an Indigenous educator. We also talk about the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Haldimand Tract, and the continuing effect of colonial policies.

• Learn more about Davis’ teaching services at https://indigenouslearn.com/
• Find more content from Davis, including “Rights of Passage: A Reconciliation Podcast” at: https://indigenouslearn.com/publications%2Fevents
• Davis recommends you watch Indian Horse available on Netflix

In part two, we’re going to talk about the struggles Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people have with accepting the realities of the Residential School System, the intergenerational trauma caused by residential schools, and how Kelly strives to turn anger into compassion as part of the ongoing pursuit of reconciliation.

Thanks to John Green, who reached out all the way from London, England, to volunteer to edit Series 2 of Deep Conversations with Strangers. John is a Freelance Audio Engineer and if you’d like to reach out to him to do some work for you, you can reach him at: john@odysseyaud.io 

Episode summary

This episode features a deep conversation with K. Fran Davis, a Haudenosaunee Indigenous consultant and educator. The discussion provides insights into Indigenous history, culture, and governance, along with Davis’s personal experiences and perspectives on reconciliation and education.

Davis discusses her upbringing, including growing up off-reserve and her experiences with racism. She shares how her aunt’s influence and involvement in Indigenous movements helped inspire her to become an Indigenous teacher.

Davis talks about her work with the Stratford Festival, facilitating reflection spaces and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into workshops. She reflects on the emotional weight of addressing topics such as the Residential School System in her work.

Davis also discusses her journey of learning about Residential Schools and the impact it had on her perspective of Canada.

The conversation explores the importance of understanding history and making connections to address dysfunction and promote compassion within communities. Davis shares a traditional Indigenous prayer and its significance, emphasizing gratitude, the value of relationships, and unity of minds.

The conversation delves into the history of the Haudenosaunee people, their Confederacy, and the Dish With One Spoon Treaty. It discusses the significance of wampum belts as oral documents for agreements and highlights the difference between traditional governance and the Canadian government’s band council system.

Kelly explains the hereditary nature of traditional leadership within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and emphasizes the consultation and participatory democracy within their governance structure.