Posted on May 23, 2019 by Coty Zachariah
Reconciliation projects and exchanges
Canadian Roots Exchange (CRE) is an active youth organization with a mission to strengthen relationships between Indigenous & non-Indigenous youth by facilitating dialogue through leadership programs, exchanges, national gatherings, and workshops. They run national programming and develop teams in major cities across the country that work on reconciliation projects and bridging the gaps between our differing cultures.
Posted on by Trisha Campbell
Supervisor of Indigenous Education, Sarah Longman, discusses the programs she oversees for Regina Public Schools.
As the Supervisor of Indigenous Education for Regina Public Schools, Sarah Longman oversees the academic standing of all self-declared Indigenous students in the division, to ensure they are successful in acquiring the credits needed to stay on track to graduate. When it is identified that a student may need extra support, there are a number of ways this support is provided. There is an Indigenous Advocate Teachers Program, whereby trained teachers of Indigenous backgrounds are placed in high schools to monitor the progress of self-declared students. If needed, the Indigenous Advocate teacher will work with the student to get them back on track by contacting the parents/guardians and teachers to help identify the barriers that may be preventing a student from succeeding.
Another source of support for students is an Elders in Residence Program. The Elders provide cultural understanding and cultural affirmation for Indigenous students and are overall positive role models. Elders bring their knowledge and expertise into the classroom and they may help non-Indigenous teaching staff to navigate sensitive topics such as residential schools. Elders may also connect with families by teaming up with the Indigenous Advocate teachers and provide support to the student and family that are experiencing challenges in school or at home.
There is an Elders Advisory Council that advises the Board of Trustees for Regina Public Schools. These Elders offer cultural understanding and cultural knowledge that guide the Trustees when they are making decisions that impact Indigenous students and the community. A lot of work is being done to bring culturally affirmative resources into the schools to develop contemporary representations of who Indigenous people are – with the aim to eradicate and replace negative stereotypes about Indigenous people.
Longman hopes that in the years to come, there will be more Indigenous educators, Indigenous doctors, Indigenous engineers, etc., taking the best of the Western world and finding ways to utilize technology to promote and sustain who they are as Indigenous people.
Posted on by Echo Mcleod
Laurie McLeod of Nipissing First Nation shares her understanding of engaging the spirit within all areas of life. She shares her own knowledge of Indigenous education and how to better support people seeking guidance within academia.
Laurie McLeod of Nipissing First Nation shares her understanding of engaging the spirit within all areas of life. She shares her own knowledge of Indigenous education and how to better support people seeking guidance within academia.
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 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.
