Transitional Story

The Spirit of ii’ taa’poh’to’p

If our strategy could talk, then it might say to us, “Greetings, friends, my name is ii’ taa’poh’to’p. For you see ii’ taa’poh’to’p is a living document; it has a spirit. It is not a two-dimensional document on white paper or a two-page handout that tells us what to do and how to do it. It has a living energy that we can relate to, engage with, take care of, and help to shape. It is a gift that carries deep meaning should we choose to engage with it, dig deeper, and get to know it better. It has been recognized and validated through the ceremonial guidance of Traditional Knowledge Keepers. It has been gifted with a name, it has inspired the gifting of a song for our institution, it has a story, it has a home, it has relatives, and it has a future. And that future is in all of our hands. ii’ taa’poh’to’p was collectively created through parallel ways in a shared intercultural space by many hearts, many hands, many minds, with spiritual guidance and blessings from Traditional Knowledge Keepers. We are now responsible to ensure that its spirit is recognized and nurtured.

Shawna Cunningham