The University of Waterloo’s rapidly growing Indigenous Studies Department added a new chapter to the book of Indigenous Knowledge, introducing a course on Mohawk, Iroquois, Cree, and Kwakiutl ritual cannibalism practices.

The course, INDG226 – Introduction to Indigenous Spirituality, is open to all full-time students, excluding vegetarians.

Each tribe approached cannibalism in a distinct and unique manner, offering many lessons that teach us the value of diversity and inclusion.

The word Mohawk itself means “man-eater.” Their cannibalistic practices were tied to warfare and spiritual beliefs – they pledged to the Sun God before battles that they would eat their enemies.

The Cree’s harsh habitat occasionally induced possession by “Wendigo psychosis,” a culture-bound syndrome that sometimes caused them to eat their own families.

The Iroquois had a hankering for missionaries, one brave telling Jesuit Father Brebeuf: “I’ve had enough of the dark-colored flesh of our enemies…I wish to know the taste of white meat, and I will eat yours.”

And the Kwakiutl had a specialized and highly honored “Cannibal Society” called the Hamatsa, which played an essential role during celebrations of the Winter season.

The course will conclude with a traditional outdoor barbecue at the university’s Ceremonial Fire Grounds where donated fresh remains from Canada’s rapidly expanding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program, now the country’s sixth leading cause of death, will take center stage.

“Donating your body to help Canada’s indigenous people revive suppressed cultural practices is an even better way to atone for wicked settler-colonialist ways than hypocritically chanting land acknowledgements,” explained Jean Becker, Waterloo University’s Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Relations. “Please call our Office of Indigenous Relations at 519-888-4567 or drop me an email at j2becker@uwaterloo.ca if you would like to donate your body, or that of a loved one.”