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Moccasin Paths
Dakota Tipi, Manitoba
Larry K. Brendtro, PhD
© 2018 The Resilience Academyand Turtle Island Learning Circle
RECLAIMING Youth at Risk
www.reclaimingyouth.org
Reclaiming Youth at RiskMoccasin Paths
Digital copies are available online atReclaimingYouth.org/handouts
© 2018 The Resilience Academyand Turtle Island Learning Circle
26th Annual Reclaiming Youth SeminarsAugustana University, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, July 2019
RECLAIMING Youth at Risk
www.turtleislandlc.comwww.reclaimingyouth.org
Moccasin PathsTurtle Island Learning Circle
Adrienne Brant James Turtle Clan Mohawk
Tammy LundaySisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
Turtle Island
Anna and Noah Brokenleg
Survivors of the boarding school era who kept their culture alive.
The Primary Teacher
Child Rearing as the Primary Cultural Goal
Carriers of the Culture
Community Sharing and Bonding
Interdependent Living
Traditional Native Housing
Urban Planning — Cahokia on the Mississippi River, 1100 AD
Population of 20,000 exceeded London and Paris
Cahokia: North American trade center 800-1200 AD
Good Earth on the Sioux River
Population of 10,000 exceeded Boston and New York
1300-1700 AD
The Great Law of Peace: The Iroquois Confederacy
Oral History of Democratic Principles
The Iroquois ConfederacyFormed around the solar eclipse of 1142 Wampum Mnemonic System
Today: Canada, New York
Founded by the Peacemaker, Hiawatha, and Mother of the nations, Jingosaseh.
The Great Law of Peace calls for decisions to be made with seven generations in mind.
Power Leveling Clan Mothers Chose the Chiefs
of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy
There are two systems for governing human societies—partnership cultures and dominator cultures.
Columbus Brought a Dominator Culture
Columbus Described Natives
Generous, kind, loving, extra-ordinarily timid, ingenious, men of commanding stature, with no weapons of war, and carrying on inter-island commerce in canoes longer and faster than Spanish 18-oared galleys.
He then declared them and their lands owned by Spain, taking hostages to display in Europe.
The Fatal Letter
Papal Bull of 1493
Pope Alexander VI “gave” the land to Christian monarchs of Spain, France, and Portugal because of the “inferior character of native cultures.”
He instructed explorers and military leaders to convert, torture, enslave, or kill in order to seize the lands unless the foe was a “Christian prince” in which case he could keep the land.
Manifest Destiny
The rallying cry for westward expansion: “God intended for superior Europeans to control North America.”
American Progress painting by John Gast, 1872
Many Trails of Tears
The Doctrine of DiscoveryAlthough perhaps 50 million people lived in the Americas, the pope declared the land “unoccupied.” Ownership moved from tribes to private individuals, corporations, and government control because of stolen lands, broken treaties, war, and disease.
“Of 370 treaties ratified, the United States proceeded to violate provisions in every one.”
-- Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Chair, Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs
The Doctrine of Discovery used the fiction of terra nullius (Latin: nobody’s land).
In 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the doctrine of terra nullius does not apply in Canada.
Never Colonized by Europe:Japan, Korea, Thailand, Liberia
For thousands of years, Europeans lived in close contact with domesticated animals. Pollution crossed species evolving germs deadly to humans like smallpox, influenza, and measles. Europeans developed some immunity, but these diseases decimated Indigenous peoples.
small pox, chickenpox, cholera, diphtheria, influenza, measles, scarlet fever, sexually transmitted diseases, typhoid, tuberculosis
More victims of colonization killed by germs than weapons.
Guns, Germs, and SteelJared Diamond
Dakota War of 1862Mass execution the day after Christmas
Dakota 38 + 2 Memorial Healing Ride
Treaty of Fort Laramie
1868 U.S. treaty recognizes Lakota ownership and custody of Black Hills
1876 Battle of Little Bighorn, U.S. stole land, put Lakota on reservations
By 1976, these are the remaining reservations.
1980 U.S. Supreme Court ruled U.S. broke treaty and must compensate the Lakota. This is an ongoing, unresolved controversy.
The village helps to rear all children. Leaders act as servants of the people.
Indigenous Wisdom
Show respect for children and elders. Share resources to meet needs of all.
National Post, Library and Archives Canada, 1897
The moment theyentered residential schools, they were assigned European names and stripped of their culture.
“Kill the Indian and save the man.”Captain Richard Pratt, Carlisle Indian School
Too Many Did Not Survive the Experience
Students in Residential Schools “Ready to Learn”
No Jails or Mental Hospitals. Instead, Social Justice,
Consensus, Women’s Suffrage, and Healthy Democracies
Food and Wellness
Traditional Uses of the Buffalo
Sky Walkers&
Code Talkers
Need or Greed?
A Contrast of Cultures
First Nations Non-status seekingHarmony with nature Women have equal powerConsensus decision making Leisure involves total family
Dominant CultureStatus seekingSubdue the earthWomen have less powerAuthoritarian decision makingLeisure often away from family
Canadian Architect, Douglas Cardinal, Cree
The Land Has Memory:National Museum of the American Indian
ColonizedTraditional
Decolonized
Native Housing
Vine Deloria, Jr. Standing Rock Dakota
Western science believed man could force nature to reveal its secrets; the Sioux simply petitioned nature for friendship.
Western science has no moral base and is entirely incapable of resolving human problems…making humans act more and more like machines.
Vine Deloria, Jr.
An entire realm of human experience in the world is marginalized, declared unknowable, and, consequently left out of serious consideration.
Daniel Wildcat
yah de gah reehun nyen’ ne
[ he is well taught ]
The Mohawk language of Canadian First Nations people would not describe youth asbad or good, but rather aswhether they were well taught.
Photos Edward Curtis
Cultural Pride
Celebrating Culture
Preserving Culture
The Spirit of Community
Mni Wiconi ~ Water is Life
Honoring Heroes
Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung met Taos elder Ochwiay Biano and became aware of his own “imprisonment in the cultural consciousness of the white man.”
Blackfoot, CalgaryAbraham Maslow
1938
Sioux, Pine RidgeErik Erikson
1938
Indigenous Cultures Shape Child Development Theories
Basic Needsare probably common to all mankind and are therefore shared values.
Abraham Maslow
Across all cultures, children have the same needs. Martin Brokenleg
A consilience of Indigenous and Western Science
Larry Brendtro (Psychology) ~ Martin Brokenleg (Native Studies) ~ Steve Van Bockern (Education)
Belonging
Mastery
Independence
Generosity
Circle of CourageMaori, New ZealandBELONGING
Whanaungatanga
GENEROSITYAtawhai
MASTERYTohungatanga
INDEPENDENCEMana Motuhake
A First Nations carver expresses the Circle of Courage in this totem.
Youth Art
Belonging
Mastery
Independence
Generosity
If you can’t explain your theory to a six year old, you probably don’t understand it yourself.Albert Einstein
Kees Kool The Netherlands
To George Blue Bird from Kees Kool, age 8
The Reclaiming SchoolBelonging Mastery Independence Generosity
Judith DeJong & Stanley HolderOffice of Indian Education Programs
Hazards Facing Youth Destructive RelationshipsFutility and FailureLearned IrresponsibilityLoss of Purpose
Culture Matters
Families Matter
Peers Matter
Inge BolinVancouver Island
University
Children in Highland PeruFrom the moment I entered their village, I was captivated by their respectful behavior, self-confident demeanor, and astonishing creativity.
BelongingLoneliness is seen as the saddest experience
so all are included in circles of respect.
MasteryChildren are eager to learn and master but never flaunt their superiority.
IndependenceYouth are given important responsibilities and are never harshly punished.
GenerosityYouth care for younger children and contribute to the community.
Generosity
Responsibility
Mastery
Belonging
Creating Circles of Courage
Healing Historic Trauma
Overcoming Historic Distrust
Mastery
Generosity
Responsibility Belonging
Universal Circle of Courage Values
It is a mistake to presume that all values are relative; absolute values are grounded in absolute needs.
Mortimer Adler, Ten Philosophical Mistakes
BelongingOpportunities to develop trusting relationships: I am loveable and loved.
Mastery Opportunities to learn and cope with challenge: I am able to succeed.
GenerosityOpportunities to develop empathy and compassion: I have a purpose for my life.
ResponsibilityOpportunities to develop self-control and will power: I am in charge of my life.
Universal Circle of Courage Values
Belonging
Creating Circles of Courage
Indigenous cultures deeply revere children.
Martin Brokenleg
Trauma reactions are pain-based behaviors.
What is this girl trying to tell us about her pain?
Pain-Based Behavior
These are other examples of pain-based behavior
The Prime Need
Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her.
Urie Bronfenbrenner
OXYTOCIN tames aggression and fear. Females have more oxytocin for use in nurturing.
VASOPRESSIN can enhance aggression. Males have more vasopressin for protecting.
Humans have two chemicals for bonding
Oxytocin Trust and Bonding
EROS AGAPEPHILIA
Oxytocin and Vasopressin: Social Bonding Hormones
Bids to Connect
Bids to Connect include behavior, emotions, physical appearance, and verbal conversation.
What are some bids young people make?
EXCLUSION triggers SHAME
BELONGING triggers PRIDE
Gangs are a way to meet needs.
1. Safety and Belonging2. Economic Achievement 3. Power and Thrills4. Loyalty to Friends
Gregory Acevedo (2017)
1. We must get in the child’s space in order to have influence. We look for opportunities for friendly and fun engagement.
2. We give evidence of warmth, including physical expressions as appropriate. We “touch” showing “delight in his very being.”
3. Proper dependence builds independence. Premature independence leaves youth adrift without adult support and influence.
4. While not controlling, we are a compass and guide even as they become young adults. We all need sources of wisdom.
Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Maté
Rapid Trust
Both the right and left brain evaluate whether to connect.
Trust? Interest?
Mastery
Creating Circles of Courage
All children have an inborn drive to learn and master.
Myelin insulates Neurons making them 100 times faster.
Adding 40 layers of myelin builds expertise.
Learning builds neuron connections
SCHOOL FAILURE damages self esteem and predicts poor life outcomes.
Defending Self-Respect
Hostility to authority is a rebellious performance of kids whose self-respect has been degraded by rejection and school failure.
School Successhas a lasting effect on life adjustment in spite of other problems.
Egoistic MotivationDon’t Look Dumb
Task MotivationLearning Lots
Cooperative LearningThe brain achieves optimum efficiency
by using peers and mentors.
Lev Vygotsky
Growth or Fixed MindsetsCarol Dweck
I can make myself smart..
I just wasn’t born smart.
One million Texas public school students were followed for six years in a study by the Council of State Governments.
Nearly 60 percent of students were suspended or expelled during middle and high school years.
Grading Schools
15% of students studied were suspended or expelled 11 times or more. Nearly half entered the juvenile justice system.
Only 3% of disciplinary actions were for conduct where state law mandated suspensions and expulsions.97% were at the discretion of school officials, mainly in response to violations of local schools’ conduct codes.
Defiance but not
Violence
School ClimateSchools with similar racial and economic composition
varied greatly in suspension and expulsion.
Engaging Students
Teachers who connect with students who distrust teachers.
Teachers who help struggling students achieve success.
IntelligenceEquals Resilience
intelligence (noun)
A person’s ability to respond successfully to challenges and to learn from such experience.
Robert Sylwester
Finland is a world leader in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) given to 15-year-olds.
Finnish students learn most in 45-minute classes with 15-minute breaks.
Schools of joy both meet growth needs and achieve academic excellence.
Responsibility
Creating Circles of Courage
Self-Regulation is central to social and emotional adaptation and maturation.
(Dishion & Kavanagh, 2003, p. 108)
Walter Mischel’sMarshmallow Test
How do children learn emotional regulation?
They borrow their caregiver’s calm brain.
MEET NEED
DISTRESS
NEED
CALM
Calming Cycles: Teaching Self-RegulationVera Fahlberg
Self-EfficacyThe belief in one’s power to cope with challenges.
Albert Bandura
Persistence and Gritwere assets that enabled youth with serious behavior problems in childhood to have resilient outcomes.
Emmy Werner & Ruth SmithKauai’s Children Come of Age
Powerlessness The most robust trigger of stress and cortisol release
Dacher Keltner
Power corrupts by high-jacking the brain.
Brainstem dominance programs stifle empathy.A dopamine high fuels impulsive pleasure seeking.
Arrogance Sees others as inferior
DisrespectRude to less powerful
ImpulsivityAddicted to pleasure
SelfishnessEgo overrides empathy
Humility Sees others as equals
RespectTreats all with dignity
ResponsibilityPractices self-restraint
Generosity Meets needs of others.
Countering the Pitfalls of PowerDacher Keltner
Bath & Seita, 2018
CoercionGoal: stop bad behaviorTone: harsh, aggressive Discipline: punishingAdult: react to own feelings
Transforming Discipline
Martin Hoffman
Power Assertion Problem Solving
Love Withdrawal
Positive Alliances Trust. Youth believes the adult cares, understands, and can help.
Cooperation. Youth and adult work together to solve a problem.
Attachment. Mutual attraction develops from working together.
Adversarial Encounters Distrust. Youth believes adult won’t care, understand, or help.
Antagonism. Youth and adult are in conflict and power struggles.
Alienation. Rancor leads to aggression or avoidance.
Social EqualityHelpers have the same
needs as those they serve.
Egalitarian Leadership
Their hearts should be full of peace and good will, and their minds filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people . . .
Neither anger nor fury shall find lodgement in their minds and all their words and actions shall be marked by calm deliberation.
Iroquois Great Law of Peace
Power AssertionPunishment and Reward
Brain Pathwaysfor “Discipline”
EmpathyProsocial Values
Generosity
Creating Circles of Courage
The Transformative Power of Compassion
Altruism and Empathy are Inborn
Max Planck Institute
Germany
Children are biologically hardwired, not only for close connections to others but also for “deep connections to moral and spiritual meaning.”
Commission on Children at Risk
In all primates but humans, a few dominate the many.
But egalitarian generosity has insured human survival.
Humans lived in harmony as hunter gatherers for 99% of history.
Peter Gray
The Genetics of Generosity
Survival of the Fittest Most Compassionate
We developed egalitarian social brains and cultural values.
GenerosityChildren are born with a generous disposition. The need to give is just as vital as the need to receive.
Children who sense that their gifts are being rejected feel bad and unlovable.
Ian Suttie The Origins of Love and Hate
1935
Naelyn Pike, 16, opposes mining on her Apache reservation.
A Cause Beyond Self
Only a positive prosocial purpose can provide the lasting inspiration, motivation, and resilience that is characteristic of a truly purposeful life.
William DamonStanford Center for Adolescence
Service Learning
Helping gives proof of one’s worth – being of value to others.
Does aggression in small children predict antisocial behavior as teens?
Research on compassion in small children.
Being Mean is Not in GenesBoth identical and fraternal twins are similar in
showing compassion or disregard to a person in distress.
Helping, sharing, and consoling in third grade is the best predictor of achieving in eighth grade.
We believe that no onehas the right to hurtanother person eitherphysically or verbally,and everyone has theresponsibility to help.
Positive school cultures celebrate the core value of respect.
Friedreich’s AtaxiaSioux Falls theatre students were inspired by their friend Raena Brendtro who was diagnosed at age 13 with FA.
This is a rare progressive neuromuscular disorder that currently has no cure.
Curtain Call for a Cure
Belonging
Mastery
Responsibility
Generosity
Creating Circles of Courage
We must look at children in need not as problems but as individuals with potential to share if given the opportunity.
Desmond TutuReclaiming Youth at Risk
Problems as opportunities “Please coach me, don’t scold me.”
Provide fail-safe relationships. “A kid like me really needs a fan club.”
Increase dosages of nurturance.“I need to know you really care.”
Don’t crowd.“If you get too close, I will back away.”
Decode the meaning of behavior.“I try to hide what I really think.”
Model respect to the disrespectful.
“Your respect helps build mine.”
Enlist youth as colleagues.“I am the only real expert on me.”
Touch in small ways.“I am watching you very carefully.”
Give seeds time to grow.“I am still learning.”
Strengthen spiritual roots.“I need to find a purpose for my life.”
Grandfather, what is the purpose of life?
Eddie BelleroseCree Elder
Reclaiming Youth at RiskMoccasin Paths
Digital copies are available online atReclaimingYouth.org/handouts
© 2018 The Resilience Academyand Turtle Island Learning Circle
Moccasin Paths
Dakota Tipi, Manitoba
Larry K. Brendtro, PhD
© 2018 The Resilience Academyand Turtle Island Learning Circle
RECLAIMING Youth at Risk
www.reclaimingyouth.org
