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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.

Dene Kede

Dene Kede encompasses the language, culture and the way in which five Dene nations view the world. In K to 6, themes are used to reinforce and teach the four concepts central to Dene perspective: the Spiritual World, the Land, the Self and the People, while grades 7 to 9 employ a modular approach. The […]

Dene Kede encompasses the language, culture and the way in which five Dene nations view the world. In K to 6, themes are used to reinforce and teach the four concepts central to Dene perspective: the Spiritual World, the Land, the Self and the People, while grades 7 to 9 employ a modular approach. The purpose of this curriculum is to present children with the experiences, knowledge, skills and attitudes which will guide them toward becoming capable citizens.  https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/education-et-programmes-detude-de-la-maternelle-la-12e-annee/aboriginal-languages

Spirit Lines Educational Tool Kit

Spirit Lines is an educational tool kit developed jointly between the Manitoba Museum and First Nations communities in Northern Manitoba. It consists of three photo books, two text books, and a recording of 20 oral histories. The toolkit has been used in all classes from Kindergarten to Grade XII. Also, it has been used at […]

Spirit Lines is an educational tool kit developed jointly between the Manitoba Museum and First Nations communities in Northern Manitoba. It consists of three photo books, two text books, and a recording of 20 oral histories. The toolkit has been used in all classes from Kindergarten to Grade XII. Also, it has been used at community events. David describes the amazement of people hearing stories told by their parents and grandparents.  https://manitobamuseum.ca/main/manitoba-museum-reaches-out-to-northern-communities/

Know Who You Are – Traditional Knowledge Holder Darlene Cardinal

Traditional Knowledge Holder uses her experience in the classrooms of the Grande Prairie Public School system with an aim to help students know who they are and where they belong. This Traditional Knowledge Holder teaches directly in the public school system classrooms of Grande Prairie. She works to share cultural teachings to students and to […]

Traditional Knowledge Holder uses her experience in the classrooms of the Grande Prairie Public School system with an aim to help students know who they are and where they belong. This Traditional Knowledge Holder teaches directly in the public school system classrooms of Grande Prairie. She works to share cultural teachings to students and to bring a cultural perspective to support the helpers in assigning meaning to what is happening in a child’s world both in and out of the classroom. Advocacy of children and the culture and the role culture must play in their lives both in and out of the classroom is an urgent piece of her work at all times.

Neeched Up Games

Neeched Up Games plays a unique role in educating students and teachers about Indigenous history and culture in Saskatchewan.

Owner of the social enterprise, Neeched Up Games, Janelle Pewapsconias, leads youth leadership and empowerment workshops, creates apps, and promotes role playing games that teach students and adults the history of Indigenous people in Canada. Pewapsconias hopes to bridge knowledge gaps between Canadians and Indigenous people in order to better understand Indigenous history, decolonization, identity, culture, empowerment, and sense of belonging. The Neeched Up subscription pack is available to teachers to both support their learning and to help them teach about treaties and reconciliation. To learn more about Neeched Up Games and the 2-4 hour workshops visit: https://neechedupgames.wordpress.com.

Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre – Circle of Voices Program

Jennifer Bishop and Marcel Petit highlight the transformative process that occurs during the Circle of Voices Program.

Since 1999, each year the Circle of Voices Program has offered fifteen participants, ages 15-24, a safe place to learn about theatre and career pathways while exploring identity through cultural learning. The youth are immersed in learning from cultural and arts-based leaders in an after-school program from October to March. Participants come to the program ready to push their boundaries and change patterns for personal growth and development. Participants often leave the program with the cultural knowledge and skills needed to have confidence in their abilities and their voice. They also develop close relationships with their peers and mentors that sustain them in their personal and professional endeavors.

*Photo credit goes to GTNT and Cory Standing.

Land-Based Programs Offered by the Treaty Education Alliance

Lori Whiteman, Executive Director of the Treaty Education Alliance, describes their land-based programs and services.

The Treaty Education Alliance (TEA) offers educational programs and services for schools and communities. With funding from INAC they are able to serve K-12 schools using an inherent and Treaty Rights-Based Approach. The Alliance aims to increase student retention, numeracy, literacy, and community engagement. The Learning the Land program builds land-based learning capacity for teachers while working alongside language keepers and local Knowledge Keepers. The Alliance also partners with the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Outbound Canada for their programs. To learn more about their programs please review their resources below.

Check out Learning the Land website for educational initiatives undertaken to exercise the inherent and treaty rights to education.

In partnership with Outward Bound Canada, the Treaty Education Alliance offers Field Leader Training as professional development opportunities for teachers and affiliated schools. Check out this video!

Land-Based, Cultural, and Language Programs at Scott Collegiate in Regina, Saskatchewan

Schools in SK must legally teach Treaty education, honour and recognize Indigenous ways of knowing, and provide opportunities for students to engage in cultural and language revitalization.

Scott Collegiate is a high school in Regina, Saskatchewan that provides unique educational opportunities for students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. The student population is 90% Indigenous and their programs reflect Indigenous education and aims to increase attendance and graduation rates while developing community. The school’s programs include: the Learning and Re-engagement Program, the Land-Based Program, the Elder-in-Residence Program, and the Grade 9 and 10 Cree Language Program. The school also works in partnership with the Regina Public Library, Lumsden Beach Camp, and First Nations University of Canada to bring quality programming to their students. Elders within Scott Collegiate are valuable Knowledge Keepers who share their culture and language with the school and community. For more information, visit: https://scottcollegiate.rbe.sk.ca/

Youth Engagement at the All Nations Healing Hospital

The health educator at the All Nations Healing Hospital in Fort Qu’Appelle, SK, provides an overview of programs and services offered to Indigenous communities and schools within Treaty 4 territory.

Shane Quewzance focuses on three entities at the All Nations Healing Hospital. First, the White Raven Healing Center collaborates with knowledge keepers, addictions workers, clinical psychologists, women’s health, and crisis intervention teams to provide the community with holistic and comprehensive treatment options. Second, the Pasikow Muskwa Rising Bear Healing Centre collaborates with knowledge keepers, registered nurses, dieticians, diabetes educators, and pharmacists to engage community members with the Chronic Kidney Wellness Initiative. Third, the FHQ Health Services Youth Action Plan (YAP) is funded by Health Canada’s Brighter Futures program and has been providing second-level health services since 2010. The YAP team is driven by the youth of the eleven First Nations within the File Hills – Qu’Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC). The YAP team provides health programming for youth in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 who meet during the school year. They are given leadership opportunities to host meetings on topics of their discretion, but often include themes of suicide, addiction, bullying, gangs, culture, and tradition. By engaging youth, in discussions about issues facing the community, they become knowledgeable, resilient, and empowered.

Tsuu’tina Nation Gunaha Language Institute

Tsuut’ina Nation language director Steven Crowchild speaks on the direction that his program is heading and the future of the Tsuut’ina Nation language program

Tsuut’ina Nation language director Steven Crowchild speaks on the direction that his program is heading and the future of the Tsuut’ina Nation language program