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Nunavut Literacy Council – Ilitaqsiniq

The Nunavut Literacy Council – Ilitaqsiniq offers hands-on, Elder led, skill-based education programs that build essential skills for life or the workforce.

Adriana Kusugak is the Executive Director of the Nunavut Literacy Council – Ilitaqsiniq in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Two programs offered through the Council include a traditional and modern sewing skills program and a contemporary and traditional food preparation program. Both programs are led by Elders, providing participants with a three to one ratio of teachers to students. Often, the programs will also bring in content specialists, like chefs, to provide their expertise in food preparation. The majority of participants who have taken part in either of the 4-month programs choose to either continue their education or re-engage in the workforce. The intergenerational transfer of knowledge also allows for the program to embed literacy activities into the traditional teachings.  

Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom – Kayla Stride

Kayla Stride, a teacher at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom in Miawpukek First Nation, and member of Eastern Owl, describes how she uses drumming and song to re-ignite youth’s interest in their culture and strengthen Indigenous identity.  

Kayla Stride, a teacher at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom in Miawpukek First Nation, and member of Eastern Owl, describes how she uses drumming and song to re-ignite youth’s interest in their culture and strengthen Indigenous identity.

 

Potlatch as Pedagogy: Learning Through Ceremony

“Potlatch as Pedagogy: Learning Through Ceremony” (2018), authored by Sara Florence Davidson and Robert Davidson, was inspired by Haida ceremonial practice and provides a model for learning for educators that is holistic, relational, practical, and continuous. The authors encourage readers to consider the sk’ad’a (teaching) principles and what they might mean in the context of […]

“Potlatch as Pedagogy: Learning Through Ceremony” (2018), authored by Sara Florence Davidson and Robert Davidson, was inspired by Haida ceremonial practice and provides a model for learning for educators that is holistic, relational, practical, and continuous. The authors encourage readers to consider the sk’ad’a (teaching) principles and what they might mean in the context of education today and how these principles can be used in a local educational context. “Potlatch as Pedagogy” offers a lens from which to view teaching and learning from a different yet complimentary perspective to Western approaches to teaching and offers suggests for how educators can respectfully navigate those differences in education.

Angela Grandjambe

Angela sits on many different boards. She sits as the DEA for many years. Angela holds knowledge of our community that benefits our people.

Angela sits on many different boards. She sits as the DEA for many years. Angela holds knowledge of our community that benefits our people.

Jocelyn Formsma – Student of Life

Examples of formal and informal Indigenous Education from a ‘student of life’ who describes the importance of language and land-based learning.

Examples of formal and informal Indigenous Education from a ‘student of life’ who describes the importance of language and land-based learning.

E. Bob – Anishnawbek Wellness Teachings and Ceremony in Support of Inmates

This program utilizes traditional knowledge and ceremony to advance the intentions of corrections institutions.

This program offers inmate populations an opportunity to learn life skills and coping strategies through Anishinawbek wellness teachings and ceremony. The program hopes that inmates will have a better understanding of traditional knowledge as they practice sharing in circles, smudge to get ready for ceremony, as well as, engaging in a community pipe. Group sharing provides the inmates with a safe place to talk about themselves and offers a break from being stuck in an incarceration setting.

First Peoples House (McGill University)

Kakwiranó:ron Cook talks about the First Peoples House and McGill University’s initiatives to support Indigenous students in their academic studies and life on campus.

Since 1997, First Peoples House (FPH) has offered culturally appropriate support services for the university’s Indigenous learners. Often described as a “home away from home,” this dedicated space plays the role of community gathering place, healing, referral, support, tutoring, mentoring and educational guidance and even residence for several students. Some of the activities organized throughout the year include community soup and bannock dinners as well as mid-semester and annual events. In the summer, the FPH, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, organizes the Eagle Spirit Camp, a three-day camp for potential future students aged 13 and 17, with the aim of encouraging them to realize their full educational and personal potential. Other events are organized in collaboration with other groups such as the Indigenous Student Alliance (ISA), a student interest group made up of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and the Social Equity and Diversity Education’s Office (SEDE). For example, the Indigenous Awareness Week is held each year and culminates in a Pow Wow on campus in the fall semester, and the Indigenous Educational Series is organized, which takes place during the winter term and aims to raise awareness among the student population of Indigenous issues in Canada.

Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom – Marilyn John

Marilyn John, a math tutor at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom, in Miawpukek First Nation, describes her work with students in grades 7,8 and 9. She talks about the community’s loss of language and the challenges of reviving Mi’Kmaw 80 years later. She concludes by advocating for the reintroduction of traditional crafts.   

Marilyn John, a math tutor at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom, in Miawpukek First Nation, describes her work with students in grades 7,8 and 9. She talks about the community’s loss of language and the challenges of reviving Mi’Kmaw 80 years later. She concludes by advocating for the reintroduction of traditional crafts. 

 

Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom – Brenda Jeddore

Brenda Jeddore, a teacher at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom, in Miawpukek First Nation, describes how she augments the provincial music program by including traditional Mi’Kmaw culture and music expressed through song, dance and drumming.         

Brenda Jeddore, a teacher at Se’t A’newey Kina’matino’Kuom, in Miawpukek First Nation, describes how she augments the provincial music program by including traditional Mi’Kmaw culture and music expressed through song, dance and drumming.