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Principal, Dene Tha’ Community School

The Principal of the Dene Tha Community School, Carlito Somera, discusses the school’s commitment to holding fall and winter Cultural Camps for students in grades 4-12.

Carlito Somera is the Principal of the Dene Tha Community School located in Treaty 8, in the community of Chateh, Alberta, northwest of High Level. Somera discusses the Dene Tha’s Cultural Camps offered both in the fall and winter. During the fall camp, students from Grades 4-12 attend the Cultural Camp held over a five day period. There are many academic outcomes that are attached to the Cultural Camps. High school students earn and gain credits as part of the curriculum.

This land-based learning portion of the curriculum includes the Dene language and culture. With the leadership and support of local Dene hunters and language specialists, students learn how to prepare, cut, and dry meat. Students also participate in other cultural activities such as berry picking, willow gathering, storytelling, and playing traditional hand games. In the winter, the Cultural Camp is held at Bistcho Lake. Students travel by vehicle on ice roads to the summertime fly-in fishing location and stay in cabins during their visit. Some of the cultural activities taught are how to ice fish.

Community Elder Perspective – Peter Cardinal

Indigenous education is important, not only for those who carry on traditional ways, but for Indigenous lawyers and politicians who would be better able to advocate for Indigenous peoples.

Peter Cardinal is an Elder from the Tallcree First Nation and has experience attending a Separate Day School. He shares his experience of going to a Day School and the impact of trying to learn English as a Cree person. Cardinal is an advocate for attending school to attain an education. He has presented at the school in High Level to share his knowledge, experience, and his passion for playing the fiddle. He stresses the importance of education in making life choices and hopes that hearing him share his experience works towards healing. Cardinal enjoys meeting students and sharing stories and music. He explained that the younger students ask a few questions and are really interested in his fiddle playing.

Innu Mukutan à Ekuanishit

Ce programme est dédié aux hommes de 18 ans et plus. Le responsable est Louis Lalo et les activités se déroulent chez le responsable. This story is not available in English. Please select another language option.

Ce programme est dédié aux hommes de 18 ans et plus. Le responsable est Louis Lalo et les activités se déroulent chez le responsable.

This story is not available in English. Please select another language option.

Land As Life

Land As Life is a third-year course offered at Vancouver Island University in the Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies Program. Land As Life is an introduction to land-based skills and learning from the environment where students will learn and appreciate First Nations perspectives on the cultural significance of the land. Topics may include: genealogy, First nations protocols, sacred […]

Land As Life is a third-year course offered at Vancouver Island University in the Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies Program. Land As Life is an introduction to land-based skills and learning from the environment where students will learn and appreciate First Nations perspectives on the cultural significance of the land. Topics may include: genealogy, First nations protocols, sacred places, oral histories, sacred water, and indigenous language. This course validates how the land is a living library and a teacher. It teaches students to be together; to work together, and to share, while developing a community of learners. The Land As Life course demonstrates reciprocity through giving back by sharing history and by allowing the people of the land to share their own stories and history as opposed to the stories being told for them.

Bistro Kinoa à Odanak

Interviewer : Yasmine Fontaine et Marie-Alexe Charland

Ce programme est un projet de développement entrepreneurial collectif au sein de le collège de Kiuna, dans la communauté d’Odanak. Par l’entremise de leurs cours collégial, trois étudiants ont mis sur pied un Bistro afin d’offrir des services de bases aux étudiants de l’institut. Ils offrent notamment des services de traiteur à l’extérieur du collège, soit dans les milieux urbains.

 

This story is not available in English.  Please select another language option.

Pratiques sous le shaputuan à Nutashkuan

Dans la communauté de Nutashkuan, plusieurs activités se déroulent sous un shaputuan. Les activités de dépeçage d’animaux et de préparation de la peau de caribous sont enseignées par les aînés, passeurs des savoirs culturels. Ces activités sont organisées par l’agente culturelle, mais ce sont les aînés qui partagent leurs savoirs. Ces activités s’adressent à toute […]

Dans la communauté de Nutashkuan, plusieurs activités se déroulent sous un shaputuan. Les activités de dépeçage d’animaux et de préparation de la peau de caribous sont enseignées par les aînés, passeurs des savoirs culturels. Ces activités sont organisées par l’agente culturelle, mais ce sont les aînés qui partagent leurs savoirs. Ces activités s’adressent à toute la communauté.

This story is not available in English. Please select another language option.

Partage d’une aînée de la communauté de Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam

Ce vidéo présente Mme. Florence Fontaine, une aînée de la communauté de Maliotenam, partageant ses savoirs et ses rêves pour les générations à venir. This story is not available in English. Please select another language option.

Ce vidéo présente Mme. Florence Fontaine, une aînée de la communauté de Maliotenam, partageant ses savoirs et ses rêves pour les générations à venir.

This story is not available in English. Please select another language option.

Nikamu Mamuitun – Chansons rassembleuses

Ce projet consiste à un spectacle d’artiste autochtones et québécois. Les membres du groupes tentent de faire valoir l’importance de la langue innue par une représentation musicale à travers le Québec. Cette initiative souhaite entre autre créer la réconciliation entre les Premières Nations et le Québec.   This story is not available in English.  Please […]

Ce projet consiste à un spectacle d’artiste autochtones et québécois. Les membres du groupes tentent de faire valoir l’importance de la langue innue par une représentation musicale à travers le Québec. Cette initiative souhaite entre autre créer la réconciliation entre les Premières Nations et le Québec.

 

This story is not available in English.  Please select another language option.

Interview with Elder, Mona Sepass from the Stó:lô Nation

Elder, Mona Sepass, from the Stó:lô Nation of the Fraser Valley region in southern British Columbia, shares how important it was for her to learn her language to better understand who she was and where she came. She discusses the importance of Indigenous youth carrying on the languages and traditions of their people. Mona also […]

Elder, Mona Sepass, from the Stó:lô Nation of the Fraser Valley region in southern British Columbia, shares how important it was for her to learn her language to better understand who she was and where she came. She discusses the importance of Indigenous youth carrying on the languages and traditions of their people. Mona also discusses the efforts that she and her family have made to keep the Halq’eméylem language alive. She also touches on the importance of Indigenous storytelling.

Jingle dresses, moccasins, math, and science: There’s room at Opikihiwawin to learn about it all

Opikihiwawin’s programs create a positive sense of identity and belonging and help adoptees and foster people build relationships in the Aboriginal community.

Based on Dr. Martin Brokenleg’s theory of reclaiming youth at risk, Opikihiwawin helps Aboriginal adoptees find where they belong and helps them on their journey home. ”We have a wide range of programs for fostered and adopted youth,” says Darlene Daniels. “The goal is to find their sense of self-identity, where they belong, and what their gifts and talents are.” Opikihiwawin has partnered with the University of Manitoba and arranged for Indigenous people in various programs like medicine or dentistry to mentor and tutor young people so that they flourish in school and are not intimidated by math and science.

The paintings, Super Hero, Parenting, Education, and Language, were created by Opikihiwawin participants; they were inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.