Around 1990 in Calgary, historian Hugh Dempsey, married into the Kainai/Blackfoot community, brought together Blackfoot, Tsuut'ina, and museum ethnographers including Jerry Conaty. They agreed to stop labeling First Nations oral accounts as "myth" and use "legendary history" instead, recognizing these as generational accounts with historical basis.
Shift from 'myth' to 'legendary history' for First Nations oral traditions
Key facts
- Around 1990 in Calgary, journalist Hugh Dempsey (married into the Kainai/Blackfoot) organized a discussion with Blackfoot, Tsuut'ina, and local museum ethnographers
- Participants agreed to stop labeling First Nations oral accounts as 'myth'
- The replacement term 'legendary history' means accounts believed to have a historical basis that have been passed down through generations
- The discussion involved museum ethnographer Jerry Conaty and local museum staff
Sources
Hugh A. Dempseythecanadianencyclopedia.ca
Hugh A. Dempsey. Articles by Hugh A. Dempsey. Blackfoot Elders. Article. Siksika (Blackfoot). Crowfoot and Family. Article. Isapo-muxika (Crowfoot).
Hugh Dempseyalbertaviews.ca
As a researcher, editor, writer and archivist, he has rescued many aspects of our history by collecting historical manuscripts and photos, and ...
Episode 15: Hugh Dempsey – The Ontario Historical Societyontariohistoricalsociety.ca
Dempsey published The Great Blackfoot Treaties, a summation of much of his work on the history of the Blackfoot Confederacy and the Stoney ...
The Vengeful Wife and Other Blackfoot Stories - Project MUSEmuse.jhu.edu
A tribute to the oral tradition as history, these Blackfoot stories are remarkably well preserved and documented by Hugh Dempsey.
Hugh Dempsey – Historical Society of Albertaalbertahistory.org
Hugh Dempsey was a Canadian historian, authored more than 20 books, focusing primarily on the history of people of the Blackfoot Confederacy.
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