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Aboriginal Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Lethbridge

At present. the Aboriginal Health is included as major or minor in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program but the faculty has the vision to shift away from it. The courses include introduction to Aboriginal health, community health, and traditional aboriginal health concept. The coursework of introduction aboriginal health focuses on aboriginal health issues from […]

At present. the Aboriginal Health is included as major or minor in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program but the faculty has the vision to shift away from it. The courses include introduction to Aboriginal health, community health, and traditional aboriginal health concept. The coursework of introduction aboriginal health focuses on aboriginal health issues from the much more holistic approach, meet more elders. This program has a different view apart from western medical health science which mainly focuses biological and biomedical component, however, the indigenous health science highlights four dimensions in health care: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It also includes contemporary issues include wellness approach, indigenous healing & restoration issue. Western health science- the mainstream practitioners is very dismissive which do invalid indigenous health science but indigenous health science gives importance on knowing healing. Community health program coursework building relationship with the community people at the grassroots level, so this program is a very much bottom-up approach where we see top-down approach in Canada. Students collect the background, indigenous way of knowing, healing and much more broad perspective. Students hold a good understanding of history, holistic ways of the knowledge value of indigenous knowledge. They also focus, besides this, multidisciplinary approach including medical anthropology, native studies, and sociology as well. Another coursework- the traditional health concepts brings Indigenous knowledge holders once a week. Here faculty members work as course coordinator or facilitator. They bring elders, knowledge experts, Meti people and other international first nation people like Ghanaian people. It develops students’ own knowledge other than curriculum through oral tradition. Topics will include the role of culture and identity in health and healing; the collective use of plants and cultural medicines; the relatedness of people, land and health; and the spiritual dimensions of holistic health. The faculty members are also learning indigenous pedagogy, they believe knowledge sources depends on who you are and the relationship between knowledge and that of experience, It is not about someone telling you what you suppose to know, it is about keeping their perspective and you developing own. The vision of this program is getting sallers, they believe they need both sides to know the value of indigenous that would open up the other ways of knowing which can reduce racism in Canada. They believe ‘people’- the knowledge holders will be resources aside from fund to develop their program and to achieve their vision.

St. Augustine School: Building Capacity through Collaboration

St. Thomas Aquinas School Division (STAR) and Nipisihkopahk Educational Authority (NEA) have entered into a education partnership through an Alberta Education Grant- « Building Capacity Through Collaboration. » Together, these schools are sharing, teaching, learning and collaborating on best practices in education.

St. Thomas Aquinas School Division (STAR) and Nipisihkopahk Educational Authority (NEA) have entered into a education partnership through an Alberta Education Grant- « Building Capacity Through Collaboration. » Together, these schools are sharing, teaching, learning and collaborating on best practices in education.

St. Mary’s First Nation Adult Maliseet Immersion Program – St. Mary’s First Nation – Kelsey Nash-Solomon- Instructor – Fredericton, New Brunswick

Kelsey Nash-Solomon is an Instructor and former student at the St. Mary’s First Nation Adult Maliseet Immersion Program in Fredericton. She describes the program and the importance of language revitalization.

Kelsey Nash-Solomon is an Instructor and former student at the St. Mary’s First Nation Adult Maliseet Immersion Program in Fredericton. She describes the program and the importance of language revitalization.

St. Mary’s First Nation Adult Maliseet Immersion Program – St. Mary’s First Nation – Rosanne Clark – Student – Fredericton, New Brunswick

Roseanne Clark, a student at the St. Mary’s First Nation Adult Maliseet Immersion Program in Fredericton and an educator, discusses the importance of teaching Maliseet.

Roseanne Clark, a student at the St. Mary’s First Nation Adult Maliseet Immersion Program in Fredericton and an educator, discusses the importance of teaching Maliseet.

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

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.

Penny Couchie and Sid Bobb – Indigenous Arts Education

Aanmitaagzi, an Indigenous arts company. Seeks out many ways to have/supports both direct and indirect learning.

Aanmitaagzi, an Indigenous arts company. Seeks out many ways to have/supports both direct and indirect learning.