Posted on by Evangeline Clifton
Terry Reid is dedicated to learning the cultural traditions and languages from his Heiltsuk and Oweekeno speaking grandmother who is a knowledge keeper and knows much about traditional medicines.
Terry Reid is of Heiltsuk (Bella Bella) and Oweekeno (Rivers Inlet) decent. Throughout the past couple of years, Reid has dedicated his time to learning cultures and traditions from his grandmother Evelyn. Evelyn is a fluent speaker of both Heiltsuk and Oweekeno languages and was a language teacher at the Bella Bella Community School. Evelyn is a knowledge keeper and a champion of traditional medicines. Reid has relocated to Oweekeno to learn about culture, best practices and techniques in teaching cultural traditions from his grandmother Reid shares his insights into what he has learned; what works and what may not. Reid has a passion for learning about the culture and hopes that one day he will have the knowledge needed to assist the continuance of our ways of life. Reid has recognized the importance of language to culture and hopes to preserve the uniqueness of the Heiltsuk Nation on the west coast of BC.
Posted on March 27, 2019 by Mary Ellen Simon
Ashley Buch speaks about the importance of identity, space, and fostering relationships with Niagara College staff to support Indigenous students.
Ashley Buck works to create a culturally sensitive space and to provide services to Indigenous students that are important to their success within both of the Niagara College campuses. This program acknowledges that students are the experts (TRC Calls to Action), and uses their input and knowledge to shape the services provided. Utilizing Indigenous student voices taps into knowledge that they have been given by their ancestors which empowers students while promoting leadership to shape education and campus culture.
Living in two worlds can be a challenge to an Indigenous student, especially for those living in an urban centre for the first time. The Indigenous lounge is a physical space where peer support and community is fostered. Buck explains that mirroring the support of an Indigenous community is a goal of the program. Such support enables students to make the transition to a college atmosphere easier and increases their ability to achieve success in their studies. Taking the lead from students, this mirroring has involved smudging, talking circles, meetings with Elders, and soup luncheons. The program seeks to advocate for Indigenous awareness within the college by hosting their 2nd annual Indigenous Awareness Month.
Posted on March 22, 2019 by Sarah Delaronde
Women supporting women in the Yukon and Northern British Columbia.
Yukon Aboriginal Women’s Council provides funding for Yukon Aboriginal women and LGBTQ2S through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Strategy Program. The overall goal of the program is to support Aboriginal women who want to obtain skills, better jobs and maintain employment. This program is offered in the Yukon and Northern BC. More information can be found at www.yawc.ca/asets/.
Posted on March 18, 2019 by Laura Forsythe
The program bridges students from high school through to becoming an educator.
The Build From Within teacher development program brings together Winnipeg School Division, the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg, and Indspire Canada and other service providers to develop a path for Indigenous High School Students to become teachers. The primary goal of Build From Within is to recognize and build on Indigenous students’ unique strengths and experiences to create competent and motivated teachers who are passionate about their work and want to contribute back as teachers. Starting in Grade 11, Indigenous students spend six years on a journey to become a teacher with the Winnipeg School Division. A total of 60 students will participate in two cohorts. Each cohort of 30 students engages in an academically rigorous program featuring classroom internships, as well as cultural, familial, mentorship, employment, and financial support.
The first step is graduation from high school and completion of a 300-hour Education Assistant Diploma Program. In addition, students are required to take a minimum of 48 hours of workshops (delivered by WSD staff) and participate in a practicum placement within the school division. Students will continue as Education Assistants while completing their Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education Degrees at the University of Winnipeg.
Posted on by Laura Forsythe
The Little Métis Sing With Me program offers resources for facilitators, parents, and children. The resources include songs, rhymes, dance, Michif language, take-home books, and crafts.
Little Métis Sing With Me program is a parent-child program with three strands: Family literacy Essential skills Métis culture and history This is an exciting program with lots of wonderful resources for facilitators to share with parents and children: songs, rhymes, dance, Michif language, take home books, crafts, and guests. Little Métis Sing With Me Training Workshop A three-day workshop to train participants to run their own Little Métis Sing With Me programs. All participants receive a facilitator’s manual and all resources. Also included are a combination of dance, songs, rhymes, books, and activities to enhance the training and provide ready-made resources for the program. Registration fee is $125 per person or $2,500 for your group (max 20 participants). Please contact us for upcoming training dates and to find out how to apply for funding to set up this program in your community.
Posted on by Pam Greene
Audio interview with Indigenous Educator Penny Cardinal-Kotash perspective from Treaty 8, High Level, Alberta.
Penny Cardinal-Kotash is a Indigenous Teacher who teaches in High Level, Alberta. She is passionate about teaching students and infuses Indigenous education throughout the Language Arts, Social Studies, and Math curriculum. She utilizes her own experience to help students learn about the Cree culture but of other Indigenous cultures. Mrs. Kotash explains that Indigenous students need to see themselves in everyday society, to learn that Indigenous peoples have always been here, and to learn about their own culture and others in which each are a part of Canada’s fabric. She helps other Educators in the Division and encourages them to choose and identify where the literature originates from, as well as the region they belong to, to ensure it’s relevancy for their region. Penny Cardinal-Kotash is part of the Division’s FNMI cohort and provides resources, and support to understand we are not all the same culture and to base their teachings relative to the language and its region.
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.
Posted on March 12, 2019 by Christine Fiddler
ITEP’s mandate is to build a community of knowledgeable teachers who understand and value the cultures, languages, and traditions of Indigenous students.
Since 1972, the Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP) has been providing culturally relevant K-12 teacher education programs leading to a Bachelor of Education degree and a Professional “A” teaching certificate. ITEP and its students endeavor to take back control of Indigenous education and provide an education that focuses on Indigenous languages, cultures, and traditions. ITEP is offered at the University of Saskatchewan with community-based programs in the communities of Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation, Big River Cree Nation, Little Pine Cree Nation, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Poundmaker Cree Nation, Thunderchild Cree Nation, Canoe Lake First Nation, Battleford Agency Tribal Chiefs, Fort Smith in the North-West Territories, and Kahkewistahaw First Nation.
