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Story Topic: Reconciliation

Reconciliation

Neecheewam Inc. – Whole Person Learning

Posted on March 13, 2019 by Jeremiah Sharpe

Cheyenne Chartrand, Spiritual Care Provider at Neecheewam Inc., explains Neecheewam’s approach to education.

Neecheewam Inc. goes beyond pedagogical programs in an effort to redefine concepts of treatment, emphasizing cohort and peer education through an “extended family” that results in whole person learning. Whole person learning requires moving beyond the text book to include academic, professional, emotional, and spiritual growth.

Neecheewam Inc. – White Butterfly Program

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Jeremiah Sharpe

Neecheewam’s White Butterfly Program works with young people to improve their lives.

Neecheewam’s White Butterfly Program sees child behaviour as another language that need to be learned. Their staff look at the children they work with as a whole, an important philosophical concept of Indigenous education, which they believe to be an integrated component of daily life.

Baggage Activity: An Exercise in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Reconciliation

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Don McCaskill

This video depicts an activity designed by Theresa Benedict, a graduate from Indigenous Studies at Trent University. The exercise involves two stages. First, the group divides into a small group of Indigenous people and another small group of non-Indigenous people to brainstorm each group’s perceptions of what they bring into a relationship – the “baggage” […]

This video depicts an activity designed by Theresa Benedict, a graduate from Indigenous Studies at Trent University. The exercise involves two stages. First, the group divides into a small group of Indigenous people and another small group of non-Indigenous people to brainstorm each group’s perceptions of what they bring into a relationship – the “baggage” that they carry. The two groups then come together to compare the baggage they are bringing into a relationship.

This exercise is an excellent way to explore the differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives on reconciliation and discuss how and whether those differences can be overcome.

PLEASE NOTE: Themes and topics discussed in this exercise may be upsetting for some people. Viewer and participation discretion is advised.

This video was taken on November 9th, 2018 at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. The activity was undertaken by a group of Trent students; however, the exercise is designed for any group to provide insights into the nature of tensions in reconciliation.

The original class in which the “Baggage” exercise was developed included Theresa Benedict, Hilary Hodgins, Juliana LeSage, Robin Linn, Lauren MacLachlan, Taylor McDonald, Beverley Morgan, Victor Parker, Rashawn Pershad, Scott Somerville, and seven other Trent students enrolled in the Alliances course (INDG 4050) in 2017.

The first part of the video shows the exercise. The second part contains excerpts from three interviews: Theresa Benedict (Activity Designer), Robin Linn (participant), and Julianna LeSage (participant).

PLEASE NOTE: The audio quality changes in this video when the speaker is not wearing a lapel microphone.

Aurora College-Inuvik: Student Life and Wellness

Posted on March 6, 2019 by Jiah Dzentu

Aurora College’s Inuvik campus has two large McPherson tents where a variety of activities take place. Elementary schools, high schools, Elders, and community members use this space. Some activities include medicine walks, fish camps, and story-telling.

Aurora College’s Inuvik campus has two large McPherson tents where a variety of activities take place. Elementary schools, high schools, Elders, and community members use this space. Some activities include medicine walks, fish camps, and story-telling.

Principal, Dene Tha’ Community School

Posted on by Pam Greene

The Principal of the Dene Tha Community School, Carlito Somera, discusses the school’s commitment to holding fall and winter Cultural Camps for students in grades 4-12.

Carlito Somera is the Principal of the Dene Tha Community School located in Treaty 8, in the community of Chateh, Alberta, northwest of High Level. Somera discusses the Dene Tha’s Cultural Camps offered both in the fall and winter. During the fall camp, students from Grades 4-12 attend the Cultural Camp held over a five day period. There are many academic outcomes that are attached to the Cultural Camps. High school students earn and gain credits as part of the curriculum.

This land-based learning portion of the curriculum includes the Dene language and culture. With the leadership and support of local Dene hunters and language specialists, students learn how to prepare, cut, and dry meat. Students also participate in other cultural activities such as berry picking, willow gathering, storytelling, and playing traditional hand games. In the winter, the Cultural Camp is held at Bistcho Lake. Students travel by vehicle on ice roads to the summertime fly-in fishing location and stay in cabins during their visit. Some of the cultural activities taught are how to ice fish.

Community Elder Perspective – Peter Cardinal

Posted on by Pam Greene

Indigenous education is important, not only for those who carry on traditional ways, but for Indigenous lawyers and politicians who would be better able to advocate for Indigenous peoples.

Peter Cardinal is an Elder from the Tallcree First Nation and has experience attending a Separate Day School. He shares his experience of going to a Day School and the impact of trying to learn English as a Cree person. Cardinal is an advocate for attending school to attain an education. He has presented at the school in High Level to share his knowledge, experience, and his passion for playing the fiddle. He stresses the importance of education in making life choices and hopes that hearing him share his experience works towards healing. Cardinal enjoys meeting students and sharing stories and music. He explained that the younger students ask a few questions and are really interested in his fiddle playing.

Nikamu Mamuitun – Chansons rassembleuses

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Catherine Charest

Ce projet consiste à un spectacle d’artiste autochtones et québécois. Les membres du groupes tentent de faire valoir l’importance de la langue innue par une représentation musicale à travers le Québec. Cette initiative souhaite entre autre créer la réconciliation entre les Premières Nations et le Québec.   This story is not available in English.  Please […]

Ce projet consiste à un spectacle d’artiste autochtones et québécois. Les membres du groupes tentent de faire valoir l’importance de la langue innue par une représentation musicale à travers le Québec. Cette initiative souhaite entre autre créer la réconciliation entre les Premières Nations et le Québec.

 

This story is not available in English.  Please select another language option.

Indigenous Education in the Public Education System – Catherine Davis (Alderville First Nation Student Services)

Posted on February 27, 2019 by Marisol Campos Navarrete

Catherine Davis discusses the challenges of including Indigenous education initiatives in the public education system.  

Catherine Davis shares her perspectives developed through her work with the Alderville First Nation Student Services. Student Services provides mental health support, education, and referral services to elementary and secondary students of Alderville First Nation and their families. Their services include prevention and life promotions programs delivered to children, youth and parents, as well as, case management and coordination of the assessment and consultation processes. She discusses some of the “costs” these initiatives involve (like sacrificing the learning of Indigenous languages to prioritize increasing graduation rates) and talks about the challenges of trying to build a system in which Indigenous communities can have both.

Topics in First Nations Planning at VIU, Master of Community Planning

Posted on by Charity Gladstone

An examination of the historic and current issues relevant to First Nations land use and community planning. 

This course looks at land use and community planning in First Nation communities across Canada from a variety of perspectives. The course includes an examination of the history of First Nations planning in Canada; review of the portions of the Indian Act relevant to planning and land use; current trends in First Nations planning (comprehensive community plans and land codes); treaties and planning; and local government – First Nations relationship building. The course aims to acquaint students with the issues that shape current practice in land use and community planning in First Nations across Canada, with a focus on BC.

Bob Lovelace – Indigenous Education and Aboriginal Education, beyond the “Indigenous Rights Perspective”

Posted on by Marisol Campos Navarrete

Bob Lovelace offers a distinction between Indigenous Education and Aboriginal Education, the shift from an ‘Indigenous Rights perspective’ to an ‘Indigenous Responsibility perspective’.

Robert (Bob) Lovelace is a former Ardoch Algonquin First Nations Chief and is the originator of on-campus, blended, and online community and higher education courses related to Indigenous and Aboriginal Education. He has been key in the creation of the Indigenous Studies Minor in Queen’s University and served as the founding manager for the Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre as well as the lead facilitator for the Annual Aboriginal Studies Symposium in this institution. Here, Lovelace discusses the importance of looking into the future, and his perspectives on the current state of Indigenous Education in Canadian Institutions.