Murdena Marshall

Murdena Marie Marshall (née Stevens; September 17, 1942 – October 22, 2018) was a Mi'kmaw elder, language speaker, knowledge keeper, Traditional Knowledge expert, spiritual leader, author, and associate professor of Mi'kmaw Studies at Cape Breton University. Along with her husband Albert D. Marshall and biologist Cheryl Bartlett, Marshall is recognized as the co-creator of the influential Two-Eyed Seeing research methodology, a methodology now used extensively within Canada, particularly within science and health. Marshall received numerous awards and honors, including an honorary Doctors of Letters, honoris causa, from Cape Breton University in 2009 in recognition of her role in promoting and supporting Mi'kmaw culture and education. A strong advocate for education, several scholarships and awards have been created in her name, including the Murdena Marshall Science Award, and the Murdena and Albert Marshall Bursary at Dalhousie University.

Early life and education Marshall was born in Whycocomagh to parents Roddie and Elizabeth (Sylliboy) Stevens. Her mother died giving birth when Marshall was eight years old. Marshall attended the Catholic Middle School in Arichat, Cape Breton for grades nine and ten. She attended St. Joseph's Residential Convent School for Girls in Mabou for two years but did not finish her last year of studies. Marshall helped found the Mi'kmaq College Institute, now known as Unama'ki College.

Marshall continued to be active after her retirement, participating in projects with the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, the National Aboriginal Health Organization, and the Native Women's Association of Canada. She was an key early member of the Elders' Advisory Council of the Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre.

Published Works

Mi'kmaq hieroglyphic prayers: Readings in North America's first Indigenous script (1995) Values, customs and traditions of the Mi’kmaq nation (1997) I got it from an Elder: Conversations in healing language (2007) Muin aqq L'uiknek Te'sijik Ntuksuinu'k/Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters (2010) Nkij'inen Teluet: Kina'matnewe'l Telimuksi'ki We'wkl Atukwaqnn (2013)

Recognition

1989 - Outstanding Leadership Award, Eskasoni First Nation 2011 - Recognized in the Senate of Canada in Ottawa by the Honourable Jane Cordy