Posted on May 21, 2019 by Coty Zachariah
First Nations led education in community
The Akwesahsne Freedom School was started in 1979 by parents in the Mohawk community that saw a need to preserve their ways and play an active role in the education of the nation starting with the children. They wanted their kids to be educated in the language, to be raised with ceremony and culture on the land of their ancestors without the influence and interference of the Western world. This approach has lead to results such as an increase in speakers of Mohawk language, rejuvenation of cultural strength and familiarity, and the continuance of inter-generational hands on learning.
Posted on by Coty Zachariah
Youth Empowerment Movement
4R’s is a national youth run and led organization that helps build the capacity of young people by providing meaningful places for them to develop and learn. They create opportunities and experiences in regions across the country to allow change makers the spaces to work on educational and community building initiatives, with the support of a network of national partners and adult allies.
Posted on by Lily Desmoulins
Janine Landry speaks with Oliver Rusnak about the Indigenous Student Counsellor program with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School board.
This program is geared specifically to Indigenous students in their schools. There is one full-time counsellor at each high school, and at the three senior elementary schools. They act as advocates for Indigenous students, support them with their academics, family life, cultural life, post-secondary requirements and much more. As part of the program, there is a cultural room that provides students with a comfortable space to hang-out. Some of the activities the counsellors provide are things like days out on the land, drumming, beading, painting, attending workshops and career fairs, after-school programs and so much more. This program staff work full time in the schools and sometimes run after-school programs as well. The counsellors currently work with students from grades 7-12.
For more information about the program with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, click here.
Posted on May 16, 2019 by Echo Mcleod
Blair Beaucage an Indigenous teacher at Nbisiing Secondary School talks about his own desire to understand Indigenous education within the Anishinabe perspective. Blair of Nipissing First Nation talks about the importance of understanding traditional methods of knowledge by learning on and from the land.
Blair Beaucage an Indigenous teacher at Nbisiing Secondary School talks about his own desire to understand Indigenous education within the Anishinabe perspective. Blair of Nipissing First Nation talks about the importance of understanding traditional methods of knowledge by learning on and from the land.
Posted on by Echo Mcleod
Charles Petahtegoose, a Midewiwin man talks about the importance of revitalizing sacred teachings and song as a method of Indigenous education. Charles also discusses the importance of language use within Indigenous learning as a method of understanding mechanisms not yet understood and/or translated in English.
Charles Petahtegoose, a Midewiwin man talks about the importance of revitalizing sacred teachings and song as a method of Indigenous education. Charles also discusses the importance of language use within Indigenous learning as a method of understanding mechanisms not yet understood and/or translated in English.
Posted on by Jaclyn Wong
All year round, the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) offers a variety of resources and learning opportunities for K-12 teachers, as well as teacher candidates, across the province of Ontario and online. OTF aims to introduce support and develop understanding of truth and movement towards reconciliation. As the voice of Ontario teachers, OTF is a member […]
All year round, the Ontario Teachers’ Federation (OTF) offers a variety of resources and learning opportunities for K-12 teachers, as well as teacher candidates, across the province of Ontario and online. OTF aims to introduce support and develop understanding of truth and movement towards reconciliation. As the voice of Ontario teachers, OTF is a member of the Minister’s Advisory Council on First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education, which provides counsel on matters germane to Indigenous education. OTF was one of the members of the government-convened 2017 Joint Implementation Work Group, which was tasked with identifying recommended revisions to the Social Studies (Grades 4-6), History (Grades 7-10) and Civics (Grade 10) curricula to increase and deepen the focus of teaching and learning about Indigenous peoples, perspectives and experiences. Several examples of OTF’s resources and tools include: Books of Life, Survive and Thrive, OTF Connects webinars, Inspire Financial Learning, Teaching Learning Co-op (TLC) projects, and Summer Institutes. For more information, check out OTF’s website at: www.otffeo.on.ca/en/
Posted on by Echo Mcleod
Joe McLeod from Nipissing First Nation talks about his insight on teaching youth of today. Joe works with specifically Indigenous male youth, and talks about the importance of lived experiences through Indigenous education.
Joe McLeod from Nipissing First Nation talks about his insight on teaching youth of today. Joe works with specifically Indigenous male youth, and talks about the importance of lived experiences through Indigenous education.
Posted on May 13, 2019 by jessicali
Leah Hogan is the Manager of Indigenous Education at Mohawk College. She talks about the Indigenous Education academic program at the college and its goals of increasing post-secondary access for Indigenous youth and supporting them in their education. Mohawk College offers joint programs with their community partners at Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre and […]
Leah Hogan is the Manager of Indigenous Education at Mohawk College. She talks about the Indigenous Education academic program at the college and its goals of increasing post-secondary access for Indigenous youth and supporting them in their education. Mohawk College offers joint programs with their community partners at Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre and Six Nations Polytechnic for students and youth ages 16 and up. Certificate programs include: Mental Health and Disability Management; Construction Techniques; Personal Support Worker; Social Service Worker. For more information see their website: https://www.mohawkcollege.ca/indigenous-students
Posted on by Mary Ellen Simon
Elizabeth Sault seeks to provide holistic educational opportunities to community members with the aim of violence reduction.
Elizabeth Sault speaks about an education that seeks to achieve the goal of violence reduction. Sault hosts group workshops for participants but much of her program is structured to address the needs of the individual, including crisis assistance. Her one-to-one support stems from her ability to create a comfortable connection and trust which can lead to advocacy, resources, housing, and building empowering life skills. Sault recognizes that violence reduction is multifaceted and speaks about the importance of creating holistic educational opportunities that build up the individual while creating awareness about important issues like MMIW and human trafficking. She speaks about the importance of identity and how it empowers the individual by illustrating the role of colonization in the creation of a culture of violence. Workshops focused on creation stories, medicine walks, connection to Elders, and individual support in reconnecting to the Indigenous community. These workshops help individuals to ground themselves in a healthy Indigenous identity. The goals of the program are to increase housing, support for men, and land-based retreats.
