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Interview with Don McCaskill

Professor Don McCaskill has been a Professor at Trent University for 35 years. He describes the fifty year history of Canada’s first Indigenous Studies Department and his perspectives on Indigenous Studies and the academy going forward. His research interests include Indigenous education, community development, justice and corrections and Indigenous-Canadian relations,. with Professor Don McCaskill is […]

Professor Don McCaskill has been a Professor at Trent University for 35 years. He describes the fifty year history of Canada’s first Indigenous Studies Department and his perspectives on Indigenous Studies and the academy going forward. His research interests include Indigenous education, community development, justice and corrections and Indigenous-Canadian relations,. with Professor Don McCaskill is one of the longest serving faculty members of Trent University’s Indigenous Studies Program

A double major: Management and Itaukei

The University of Fiji offers a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a double major in management and Itaukei (language and traditional knowledge of the Indigenous people of Fiji). Whether in the private or public sector, managers make decisions that have consequences for the land, plants, and both human and non-human animals. Without an understanding of […]

The University of Fiji offers a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a double major in management and Itaukei (language and traditional knowledge of the Indigenous people of Fiji). Whether in the private or public sector, managers make decisions that have consequences for the land, plants, and both human and non-human animals. Without an understanding of all the relationships, managers can make decisions beneficial here but deleterious there.

Fort Good Hope Fish Camp – the Importance of Camp

This is one in a set of three videos that talk about life along the Deh Cho (Mackenzie River) and learning to fish.

Passing on knowledge to the next generation about living in ‘the bush’, learning how to camp and how to fish, is important to the Sahtu people of the Deh Cho (Mackenzie River). The people in this video talk about what it means to them to be able to spend time together away from town and for the grandparents to be able to teach their children and grandchildren how to make camp, catch and dry fish, and more. As Judy Lafferty says, “They have to learn for survival . . . It’s our place to teach them, as parents and grandparents.”

Special thanks to (in order of appearance):

  • Dennita Lafferty, Participant
  • Anna Turo, Participant
  • Judy Lafferty, Mentor
  • Wilma Manuel, Participant
  • Leon Turo, Mentor
  • Michel Lafferty, Mentor

As well, special thanks to:

  • Anne-Marie Jackson, NCCIE Videographer and Contributor
  • Christopher White, Promethean Heritage and Cultural Services, Video Editor
  • Andrée Cazabon, Productions Cazabon, Producer

This video and two others in this series are also part of ‘Tracking Change: the Role of Local and Traditional Knowledge in Watershed Governance’, a project that includes listening to Indigenous peoples along the Mackenzie, Mekong, and Amazon Rivers to gather information about “long term (historic and current) patterns of social and ecological change and the interconnections between the health and dynamics of these river systems and that of river communities.” (source: www.trackingchange.ca/about)

The Lafferty Family talks about Climate Change Impacts in the Sahtu

This is one in a set of three videos that talk about life along the Deh Cho (Mackenzie River) in the Sahtu. The topic of this video is how their environment is changing due to climate change.

Judy and Michel Lafferty talk about changes they and other Elders have observed due to climate change in their community and along the Deh Cho (Mackenzie River).

Special thanks to Judy and Michel Lafferty, and to others in their community, for their participation in this video.

As well, special thanks to:

  • Anne-Marie Jackson, NCCIE Videographer and Contributor
  • Christopher White, Promethean Heritage and Cultural Services, Video Editor
  • Andrée Cazabon, Productions Cazabon, Producer

This video and two others in this series are also part of Tracking Change: the Role of Local and Traditional Knowledge in Watershed Governance (trackingchange.ca), a project that includes listening to Indigenous peoples along the Mackenzie, Mekong, and Amazon Rivers to gather information about “long term (historic and current) patterns of social and ecological change and the interconnections between the health and dynamics of these river systems and that of river communities.” (source: www.trackingchange.ca/about)

Round Table on Indigenous Students’ experiences in Post-Secondary education

A round table involving five Indigenous students was held at Trent University to discuss their experiences within post-secondary education. The students offered insights into the challenges getting to university and working within the post-secondary system for Indigenous youth. Some of the themes that emerged from the discussion included, the difficulties deciding on a discipline, the […]

A round table involving five Indigenous students was held at Trent University to discuss their experiences within post-secondary education. The students offered insights into the challenges getting to university and working within the post-secondary system for Indigenous youth. Some of the themes that emerged from the discussion included, the difficulties deciding on a discipline, the challenges in being admitted to post-secondary studies, the significance of a mentor and support within the university setting, and the importance of learning about culture and strengthening identity during their post-secondary educational experience. The members of the round table were:

  • Bobby Henry, Haudenosaunee
  • Papatsi Kotierk, Inuit
  • Thomas Morningstar, Anishinaabeg
  • Amy Shawanda , Anishiaabeg
  • Coty Zachariah, Haudenosaunee
  • Gabriel Maracle, Haudenosaunee (Moderator)

Special thanks to Aye Min Latt, Videographer.

Round Table on Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into the Academy with Elders and Educators at Trent University

This video is of a round table involving Indigenous Elders and educators held at Trent University on November 23, 2018. The topic of the round table was integrating Indigenous Knowledge into the academy. The panellists recognized substantial positive changes have been made at Trent such as the new mandatory half credit in Indigenous Studies for […]

This video is of a round table involving Indigenous Elders and educators held at Trent University on November 23, 2018. The topic of the round table was integrating Indigenous Knowledge into the academy. The panellists recognized substantial positive changes have been made at Trent such as the new mandatory half credit in Indigenous Studies for all students and the continued incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge in the Indigenous Studies PhD program. There was also recognition that more work needs to be done. Issues raised included incorporating more IK into the university as a whole which includes more land based learning, using Indigenous names for places and buildings, and more financial support for bringing in Indigenous elders to teach at the university. The members of the round table were:• Doug Williams (Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg), Elder, Director of Studies Indigenous Studies PhD program, Trent University

  • Doug Williams (Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg), Elder, Director of Studies Indigenous Studies PhD program, Trent University
  • Barbra Wall (Potawatomi), Faculty department of Indigenous Studies, Trent University
  • Dawn Lavell-Harvard, (Odawa), Director of First Peoples House of Learning, Trent University
  • Coty Zachariah, (Haudenosaunee), Moderator of round table, Trent University

Student Special thanks to Aye Min Latt, Videographer.

Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom – Bailey Hansen

Bailey Hansen, a teacher at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom in Miawpukek First Nation, describes how she augments grades 10 – 12 science, math, and physics with Indigenous materials, cultures, and ways of knowing. She also talks about the Coastal Explorers field school and the opportunities it affords to incorporate traditional knowledge and practices when interacting with […]

Bailey Hansen, a teacher at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom in Miawpukek First Nation, describes how she augments grades 10 – 12 science, math, and physics with Indigenous materials, cultures, and ways of knowing. She also talks about the Coastal Explorers field school and the opportunities it affords to incorporate traditional knowledge and practices when interacting with marine and coastal ecosystem environments. In addition, she talks about her work with adult learners.

 

Mi’kmaw Language Program – Curtis Michael

Curtis Michael discusses how technology and the internet help make the Mi’kmaw Language Program so accessible to community members in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.

Curtis Michael discusses how technology and the internet help make the Mi’kmaw Language Program so accessible to community members in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.

Qaggiavuut Nunavut Performing Arts

Qaggiavuut is a Nunavut based non-profit organization that delivers performing arts training and produces Inuit performing arts aimed at decolonizing and teaching Inuit traditional values.

Qaggiavuut is a non-profit organization that aims to strengthen and advocate for Nunavut’s performing artists through professional arts training. They offer a variety of training programs, produce professional performances, and collaborate with other organizations to deliver programs. They are focused on creating arts partnerships, arts education, creating Inuit performing arts work, and developing an Inuit performing arts pedagogy. The objectives of their programs are to decolonize and teach Inuit traditional values through performing arts. Since April 2016 they have delivered programming to support more than 300 Inuit performing artists and 5000 Nunavut children and youth.

Youth For Reconciliation (YFR): Partnership between York Region District School Board and Pikangikum Education Authority

The Youth For Reconciliation (YFR) was a partnership that aimed to build connections, relationships and allyship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and communities. Through experiential learning opportunities, Grade 9-12 students from Markham District High School, Bill Hogarth Secondary School and Eenchokay Birchstick School were brought together to share their perspectives while focusing on several school […]

The Youth For Reconciliation (YFR) was a partnership that aimed to build connections, relationships and allyship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and communities. Through experiential learning opportunities, Grade 9-12 students from Markham District High School, Bill Hogarth Secondary School and Eenchokay Birchstick School were brought together to share their perspectives while focusing on several school subjects, particularly literacy, art and technology. This cross-curricular approach allowed the Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to learn about each other’s lives and deepen their relationships with one another. Social media platforms were used to make personal connections and engage the students in various initiatives. In addition to students, some participants were parents, teachers, and other community members who felt strongly about sharing their experiences and what they knew about Indigenous peoples, cultures, languages, and practices. The YFR began in September 2017 and their work still continues today. For more information, check out their Instagram at @youthforreconciliation. Their website is currently under construction.