Role of Mothers and Grandmothers as Strong Cultural Binders in Canadian Aboriginal Societies

Abstract

Since the birth of mankind on Planet Earth, women are the primary caretakers of children and elders in every society of each nation. Their role become more significant when rich experiences of life are added as a woman matures into ‘mother’ and later promotes to ‘grand-motherhood’. Mothers and grandmothers are the most affectionate but disciplined teachers who prepare next generation to carry forward cultural values and civic ethics. We celebrate Mother’s Day to commemorate this spirit of motherhood as well as grand-motherhood. But, many tribal societies across the world celebrate motherhood, grand-motherhood and especially womanhood every passing day. The aboriginal or native societies of Canada grace this category. This paper presents the phenomenal role played by these women in nurturing bodies as well as souls of young natives, in a postcolonial world, dwindling between roots of golden past and promises of bright future. It also presents how the maternal elders have struggled to keep alive their culture, customs and spiritual beliefs and prevent them from becoming obsolete.