Lived experience of a traditional female Ojibway elder

Abstract

This qualitative study examined the lived experience of a traditional female Ojibway Elder and her perspectives of leadership. An emergent framework of traditional female Ojibway leadership resulted from the data, and was supported by the review of the related literature. Implicit components of the emergent framework of traditional female Ojibway leadership included culture, a belief in the Creator, community, and wisdom. Two predominant themes emerged from the data. These themes were: culture and wisdom. Culture was divided into three sub-themes. These sub-themes were: believing in the Creator, Taryn's teaching in her birth and community. Culture was considered with attention to spirituality because in traditional Ojibway culture the two complement each other in their meaning. Wisdom was discussed in terms of the importance of passing on traditional and spiritual teachings to others in her community and culture. Culture and spirituality provided the foundation on which the research participant understood her role in the world and the meaning of her life. Wisdom implied knowledge of individual roles which focused on the common good of the community. As such role specification was evident and necessary for forming parts of a whole in her community. In that process equality among community members emerged as a virtue. The emergent framework of traditional female Ojibway leadership) is presented as holistic in nature. The framework is derived from the participant’s world view and illustrates her intense personal integrity.