Summary of "Etuaptmumk: Two-Eyed Seeing | Rebecca Thomas | TEDxNSCCWaterfront"

Rebecca Thomas explores the deep connection between language, worldview, and indigenous identity, introducing the concept of Etuaptmumk or Two-Eyed Seeing as a powerful framework for intercultural understanding and collaboration.

Main Ideas and Concepts

Language Shapes Worldview:
- Language is more than communication; it fundamentally shapes how people perceive and interact with the world.
- Indigenous languages embed unique perspectives influencing relationships with land, community, culture, and time.
- Example: Differences between English and German speakers in describing actions highlight how language frames experience.
- Indigenous languages often do not translate directly into colonial languages, leading to loss of meaning (e.g., Mi’kmaq word jelassi means "welcome" but literally translates as "I will do my best," implying a personal commitment).
Peoplehood as a Broader Identity:
- Indigenous identity is better understood as peoplehood, a collective concept encompassing:
  - Territory
  - Sacred history
  - Ceremonial cycle
  - Language
- These four strands are interconnected like a spiderweb; altering one affects the whole.
- Peoplehood is flexible—loss or change in one strand (e.g., language loss due to residential schools) does not negate indigenous identity.
- Authenticity debates rooted in colonialism (e.g., blood quantum) are rejected; lived experience defines indigeneity.
Indigenous Demographics and Presence:
- Indigenous peoples are the fastest-growing demographic in Canada with a median age of 28 (vs. 43 for non-Indigenous).
- Increasing Indigenous presence in education, workplaces, and public spaces necessitates meaningful intercultural engagement.
Challenges in Indigenous Education and Services:
- Indigenous students often face systemic barriers due to different cultural protocols, concepts of time, ethics, and communication styles.
- Success requires institutions to adapt and incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing.
Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk):
- Introduced by Elder Albert Marshall.
- Concept of seeing the world through both Indigenous and Western lenses simultaneously.
- Combines strengths of both knowledge systems to foster mutual understanding and success.
- Originally used to enhance STEM education for Indigenous students; now adopted broadly in transcultural collaborations.
- Implies responsibilities: reciprocity, mutual accountability, and co-learning.
- Encourages institutions to indigenize practices not just for Indigenous benefit but for all learners.
Call to Action and Reflection:
- Indigenous pedagogy benefits all learners by recognizing multiple ways of knowing.
- Relationships and education are fundamentally built on storytelling.
- Indigenous peoples seek respect for their knowledge and autonomy, not paternalistic "good intentions."
- Emphasizes planning for future generations and invites others to adopt a dual perspective.
- Ends with a powerful poem by Rebecca Thomas reflecting on loss, resilience, identity, and the promise of Two-Eyed Seeing.

Methodology / Key Instructional Points

Understanding Peoplehood:
- Recognize the four interconnected strands: territory, sacred history, ceremonial cycle, and language.
- Appreciate the flexibility of peoplehood beyond language fluency or blood quantum.
Applying Two-Eyed Seeing:
- Embrace multiple perspectives simultaneously (Indigenous and Western).
- Foster reciprocity, mutual accountability, and co-learning in cross-cultural interactions.
- Indigenize institutional practices to be inclusive and holistic.
- Use storytelling as a foundational tool for relationship-building.
Supporting Indigenous Students and Communities:
- Advocate for culturally appropriate supports.
- Educate non-Indigenous people about Indigenous worldviews and protocols.
- Recognize and address systemic barriers without expecting Indigenous people to fully assimilate.

Speakers / Sources Featured

Rebecca Thomas – Main speaker, Indigenous educator, poet, and advocate.
Elder Albert Marshall – Introducer of the concept Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk).
Robert Thomas (no relation) – Scholar who conceptualized peoplehood.
Rita Joe – Indigenous poet whose work inspired the poem I Lost My Talk, referenced and adapted in the talk.

Overall, the talk emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing Indigenous ways of knowing and being, advocating for a shared vision through Two-Eyed Seeing that respects both Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to foster genuine reconciliation and collaboration.