Tag Archives: Aboriginal

Module 3- Post 4: Taino facts

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The Taino are yet another indigenous people that has resurrected themselves from extinction in the westernized  history book of the Caribbean . The Taino facts is a good starting point for those interested in learning more about these people. As noted on the site it is “An extension of the United Confederation of Taino People’s premier online news service the “Voice of the Taino People Online”, this educational initiative is dedicated to increasing the visibility of Indigenous Peoples from throughout the Caribbean region and the Diaspora in the Spirit of Our Ancestors”. It provides information on United Confederation of Taino People’s,the culture of the Taino people and the issues they face . In addition it provide links to other Taino site as shown below which makes a great resource for the subject.

This a another great example of how indigenous people are leveraging  web technology to recover their identity.

Module 3- Post 3: Indigenous Caribbean Center Information on Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean

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The more I discover about indigenous people of the Caribbean the more embarrassed I am. For I when I began this course I never fathomed they existed in such great numbers on the islands. I was aware of their presence on the South American mainland but Caribbean history at school taught me that they were extinct on the Caribbean island.  However thankfully they have leveraged the web to debunk this historical myth as is seen on Indigenous Caribbean Center web site. This blog is organized to provide easy access any with interest on the topic. The links of note are:

  1. Pages that list sites that are BY or ABOUT Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean, organized by country
  2. Articles from the journal: Issues in Indigenous Caribbean Studies
  3. INDIGENOUS CARIBBEAN NETWORK (a social network site) 

It was interesting to note that the journal was registered with the National Library of Australia, under the original title of Issues in Caribbean Amerindian Studies. Which reinforced the point that indigenous communities the world over are threaded together by issues created by colonization.

Module 1 – Post 2 – Aboriginal Culture in a Digital Age

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http://www.kta.on.ca/pdf/AboriginalCultureinaDigitalAge.pdf

This fifteen page document is a balanced and informed discussion of many of the issues raised in Module 1. It examines the dual possibilities for technology and indigenous culture: does technology offer a protection of language and culture, and a way to unite and strengthen different Aboriginal cultures, or does it offer a potential threat to cultural knowledge and traditions? The paper is organized around three broad points. The first is a recognition of the “renaissance” of distinct Aboriginal cultural identities. The second is a look at the pervasive nature of technology in contemporary life, and its effect on “economic, social, and cultural fabrics”. The third point is an acknowledgment of the crucial need to “mitigate the potential risks” of technology on Aboriginal “languages, ecology, and heritage”. The discussion is informed by voices from Aboriginal communities, the government, education, and the private sector.

Alana

Aboriginal Math Education – Module #1

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Weblog #1:

Issues in Teaching Mathematics to Aboriginal Students

This research paper discusses issues primary teachers encounter in relation to mathematics education for Australian Aboriginal Students. The teachers feel they have a difficult time trying to create learning opportunities for a vast array of abilities and disabilities and the lack of time they have to cover an extensive and demanding curriculum. The teachers that a large contributor to the problem is the fact that feel they haven’t have enough teacher preparation in the education program in order to effectively meet the needs of Aboriginal Australian Students.

 

Weblog #2:

One Laptop Per Child Canada

“it’s not a laptop project, it’s an education project”

The OLPC program distributed up to 5,000 XO (next generation) laptops to children aged six to twelve in Aboriginal communities across Canada.  Participants in this program will be able to access culturally relevant education and resources with the netbooks.  The OPLC has 8 programs that are directed towards Aboriginal Learners ranging from Literacy, Numeracy, Food, Music, Finance, Science and Health.

 

Weblog #3:

Empowering Aboriginal Peoples Through Education

This very short Huffington Post article by Keith Beardsley is in agreement and reaction to former Priminister, Paul Martin’s comment that

“Most Canadians would not send their children to the kind of schools that Ottawa condemns aboriginals or certainly First Nations on reserves to go to… This is the youngest and fastest growing segment of our population. They’re also the most vulnerable. And for us to essentially not give them the kind of education … that other Canadians get, is simply wrong.”

In this article, Keith makes the point that change will only come through education of the younger generation and not simply by throwing money at the problem.

 

Weblog #4:

Math Catcher: Mathematics Through Aboriginal Storytelling

The Math Catcher: Mathematics Through Aboriginal Storytelling project includes the creation of short stories and animated films that teach learners about mathematics in a story format through the power medium of stories involving Aboriginal characters.  These mathematical resources serve to promote mathematics education among students in Aboriginal communities as well as in urban settings.  Through Aboriginal short stories, students can identify themselves as characters in the stories and the connection of their culture to mathematics.

 

Weblog #5:

Aboriginal Mathematics K-12 Network

This website contains resources (lessons, problems, etc), articles, new, and events pertaining to Aboriginal Mathematics Education.