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Story Topic: Family

Family

“Fostering a sense of identity”: χpey̓ Elementary, The Vancouver School Board’s Indigenous Focus School

Posted on June 22, 2018 by andrewkendall

χpey̓ Elementary School was developed by the Vancouver School Board in 2012 in response to calls from the community for an education that was culturally relevant for Indigenous youth and encompassing of local and surrounding traditional Indigenous knowledges. χpey̓’s students are largely Indigenous, although the school also has many non-Indigenous students who attend. The teachers […]

χpey̓ Elementary School was developed by the Vancouver School Board in 2012 in response to calls from the community for an education that was culturally relevant for Indigenous youth and encompassing of local and surrounding traditional Indigenous knowledges. χpey̓’s students are largely Indigenous, although the school also has many non-Indigenous students who attend. The teachers at χpey̓ are each Indigenous and bring their own cultural knowledge and experiences to the school. They infuse Indigenous pedagogies into the BC curriculum with the aim of providing classrooms and teaching which encompass a holistic model of education. The school is focused on teaching “the shared worldviews of Indigenous people and environmentalists” and aims to “honour the shared values, experiences and histories of all Indigenous peoples as well as the aspects that make each nation unique.”

Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society’s Joey Blood speaks on the roles indigenous education can play in youth and family healing

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Annita Lucchesi

Joey Blood, of Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society’s Family Preservation and Youth Mentorship program, shares on its work supporting indigenous youth and their families in accessing cultural activities and learning opportunities, and the importance of bringing families into indigenous education programming. ”Offers community based programming available for community access, referrals are NOT necessary. Admission is open […]

Joey Blood, of Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society’s Family Preservation and Youth Mentorship program, shares on its work supporting indigenous youth and their families in accessing cultural activities and learning opportunities, and the importance of bringing families into indigenous education programming.

”Offers community based programming available for community access, referrals are NOT necessary. Admission is open and based on need and availability.​

Our Program Goals:

  • Children are safe

  • Children will foster positive self-identity

  • Children will be connected to their community

  • Parent/Caregivers will be involved with their children.” from the website  https://www.opokaasin.org/programs-services

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Program in the Grande Prairie Public School District

Posted on by Frannie and Kisa Rogers

The FNMI Program Coordinator for the Grande Prairie Public School District shares about the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in the school system.

Building community relationships and highlighting local resources to help support the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in Grande Prairie’s pre-K to grade 12 public classrooms. A critical component of this happens outside of the classroom through First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) Family Outreach Workers by being available to help address possible barriers to education. This success in this piece of the FNMI Program is that family enhancement work is being done; working with a family as a whole. This is key to relationship building within the community and building connections with families.

Wekatesk Head Start – Mi’kmaq Family Resource Centre – Barb McKenna-Toole – Coordinator – Charlottetown – Prince Edward Island

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Lisa Jodoin

Barb McKenna-Toole, Coordinator at Wekatesk Head Start, describes the ways the Head Start program builds a sense of culture, identity, and community for children and families living off-reserve in Charlottetown.

Barb McKenna-Toole, Coordinator at Wekatesk Head Start, describes the ways the Head Start program builds a sense of culture, identity, and community for children and families living off-reserve in Charlottetown.

Mi’kmaq Family Resource Centre – Sharon O’Brien – Executive Director – Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Lisa Jodoin

Sharon O’Brien, the Executive Director of the Mi’kmaq Family Resource Centre in Charlottetown, describes the impact of the centre and its programs for off-reserve families in Charlottetown.

Sharon O’Brien, the Executive Director of the Mi’kmaq Family Resource Centre in Charlottetown, describes the impact of the centre and its programs for off-reserve families in Charlottetown.

Community Education Programs at Regina Treaty Status Indian Services (RTSIS)

Posted on June 17, 2018 by Yvonne Benjoe

Erica Beaudin has been the Executive Director of the Regina Treaty Status Indian Services since 2007 and she discusses the importance of the organization’s community education programs.

The Regina Treaty Status Indian Services (RTSIS) is an organization owned by the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council and the File Hills-Qu’Appelle Tribal Council. RTSIS is the only Indigenous owned services agency providing services for Urban First Nations and First Nations transitioning to and from reserve. RTSIS is committed to honouring the Treaty and inherent rights of Indigenous people in Treaty Four territory by offering a variety of programs and training opportunities which support each nation’s language, culture, and identity. Specifically, their community based education programs include: the Red Feather Youth Integration Program, which supports youth transitioning from the criminal justice system and reintegrating into society; the Treaty Four Education Centre offers adult education with individualized learning plans based on interests and abilities; and the Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program addresses emotional health and wellness through both front-line services as well as through workshops on suicide prevention, parenting skills, intergenerational addictions, etc. For more information about RTSIS and their programs please visit http://fhqtc.com/rtsis/.

Mi’kmaw Child Development Centre – Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre – Lee Merrigan-Thomas – Coordinator – Halifax, Nova Scotia

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Lisa Jodoin

Lee Merrigan-Thomas, Aboriginal Head Start Coordinator and Community Action Program Coordinator, describes the Mi’kmaw Child Development Centre and the impact it has on children and families.

Lee Merrigan-Thomas, Aboriginal Head Start Coordinator and Community Action Program Coordinator, describes the Mi’kmaw Child Development Centre and the impact it has on children and families.

Social Media as a Language Teaching Tool

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Heather O'Watch

Solomon Ratt uses Facebook to engage students and community members in learning Cree.

Solomon Ratt, Cree Language Professor at First Nations University of Canada, discusses how his Cree Language Facebook group has helped students and community members learn Cree. A few years ago, Solomon began engaging his Cree language student’s, outside of regular class time, by creating Cree language videos for them to learn and practice. He uploads Cree language videos to the Facebook group, and now the group has grown from students to community members, and eventually to global learners. A community formed within the Facebook group and now more people than ever are logging on and engaging in learning Cree. Solomon hopes that alongside technological developments the Cree language will be revitalized and reclaimed.

Chief Whitecap School – An Alliance with Saskatoon Public Schools

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Timothy Merasty

The Principal and Counsellor from Chief Whitecap School and the Superintendent from Saskatoon Public Schools discuss the importance of the alliance that brought about the school.

In partnership between Whitecap Dakota First Nation and Saskatoon Public Schools, Chief Whitecap School embodies the vision of provincially mandated curriculum taught in a good way and in alignment with Dakota First Nations culture, language, and traditions. With funding from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Chief Whitecap School is the designated school for Whitecap Dakota First Nation students in Grade 5-8. The funding helps to reduce the education and graduation gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students which has given opportunities for continued Dakota cultural learning and language acquisition. This partnership is committed to reconciliation as it works towards the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. The success of the school is determined within the relationships of the partners, teachers, students, and community.