Elder & Knowledge Keeper citation: MLA
Rachel Chong
The Modern Language Association (MLA) recommends following the guidelines developed by Lorisia MacLeod (James Smith Cree Nation) (MLA, 2022). You will find both a MLA general example and a Kwantlen Polytechnic University example for use with Elder in Residence Lekeyten below.
MLA general template:
Work cited:
- Author: Late Name, First name.
+ Supplemental Element: Nation or Community. Treaty Territory. City/Community where they live.
- Title of Source: Description of teaching.
- Publication Date: Date Month Year.
“Last name, First name., Nation/Community. Treaty Territory if applicable. City/Community they live in if applicable. Topic/subject of communication if applicable. Date Month Year.
Cardinal, Delores., Goodfish Lake Cree Nation. Treaty 6. Lives in Edmonton. Oral teaching. 4 April 2004.”
(MacLeod, 2025, para. 6 – 7)
Intext:
(Last Name, Year)
(Cardinal, 2018).
If an Elder or Knowledge Keeper has a traditional name they wish to use, simply replace the “Last name, First names” with their traditional name. If there are any other discrepancies between the citation style and the Elder or Knowledge Keepers wishes, always follow the Elder or Knowledge Keepers’ wishes.
Below is an example of modification for the MLA general template as requested by Elder Lekeyten at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Note that Treaty was not included, as lands are unceded. That said, a Territorial Acknowledgement as added. Lekeyten also noted that with such small Treaty areas in British Columbia, some people may not wish to be identified by Treaty (Lekeyten, 2019).
Kwantlen Polytechnic University: Modification example
Work cited
Last name, First names, Elder/Knowledge Keeper, Nation/Community. Topic/Subject of communication if applicable. Oral teaching, Date Month Year. Territorial Acknowledgement of where information was shared.
Lekeyten, Elder, Kwantlen First Nation. Community Justice. Oral teaching, 4 April, 2019. Shared on the traditional unceded territory of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt, and Kwikwetlem Peoples.
Intext
(Last name) Community justice is effectively practiced in communities
(Lekeyten) Community justice is effectively practiced in communities
