Stories

The artistic image of the rainbow quill box with its underlying message of connections to culture, land, water, resources, and spirituality provides an opportunity to pass along education that is conducive to Indigenous epistemologies. Oral stories are fundamental to Indigenous worldviews and provides the foundation for learning by passing on wisdom and experiences in a traditional manner (Iseke, 2013). McGuire further indicates that knowledge is often learned through stories (2008), thus it is through stories that culture is both learned and preserved. In many Native communities’ women are considered teachers (Williams, 2018). Perhaps this quill box was intended for such purposes (e.g., to provide understanding of Indigenous women’s contributions to their communities). The following link and video provides information and knowledge related to Indigenous women’s traditional roles. In addition to learning about culture quill boxes offer a methodology that can be used to guide Indigenous research. Smith, McDonald, Bruce, and Green (2019) used storytelling using a porcupine quill box methodology to examine kidney disease. The quill box methodology allowed individuals to tell their stories consistent with their traditions.