| The Kwakwaka'wakw people, like all Indigenous peoples in Canada, have been dispossessed of their lands. Now, Indigenous knowledge and other property are being commodified and expropriated. In response to this problem I describe customs from Kwakwaka'wakw p'esa (potlatch) that can be used to protect Kwakwaka'wakw "property." These customs were followed in my research and writing, which included a metaphor of Chilkat weaving as my methodology. I share with my readers, knowledge and a Kwa'kwala lesson shared with me in interviews I conducted. Based on these interviews I suggest some principles from p'esa to be considered in making proposals for contemporary laws for the protection of Kwakwaka'wakw "property."... |
