Author Archives: Tamara

(Entry 5) Website: EdCan Network

Website:  EdCan Network

This website provides educators with a variety of different teaching resources (both for professional development and for use within the classroom.  Of particular interest to me were two articles:  “How can we embed Truth and Reconciliation in every school?” by Dr. Pamela Toulouse, and “How teachers can integrate Truth and Reconciliation in their classrooms: Infographic: How to get started and who can help”, by André Rebeiz.  The first article discusses the parts of Reconciliation that apply to the classroom and how teachers can implement activities relating to increasing student awareness of Indigenous issues; the article also provides a downloadable PDF fact sheet that can be posted on a bulletin board for quick reference.

The second article provides teachers with an infographic containing tips and tricks on how to immediately implement Truth and Reconciliation initiatives within the classroom.  In addition, it also provides a list of excellent resources for use in Canadian classrooms.  One of which is the Martin Family Initiative containing a link to the Promising Practices in Indigenous Education Website.  This second website contains a wide variety of links to resources that specifically address key components of the TRC documents that need to be addressed within different areas of the educational system.

Links:
https://www.edcan.ca/articles/how-can-we-embed-trc/

https://www.edcan.ca/articles/how-teachers-can-integrate-truth-and-reconciliation-in-their-classrooms/

 

References
Rebeiz, André, & Network, E. (November 12, 2018). How teachers can integrate Truth and Reconciliation in their classrooms. Retrieved November 27, 2018, from https://www.edcan.ca/articles/how-teachers-can-integrate-truth-and-reconciliation-in-their-classrooms/

Toulouse, D. P. R. (June 20, 2017). How can we embed Truth and Reconciliation in every school? Retrieved November 27, 2018, from https://www.edcan.ca/articles/how-can-we-embed-trc/

(Entry 4) Website: Spirithorse: The Learning Circle

Website:  Spirithorse: The Learning Circle

This portion of the Spirithorse website provides (Canadian) teachers with a series of classroom activities designed to teach students about the history, language, culture and identity of Indigenous communities; (activities “focus on First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture, identity, and history”)(“The Learning Circle | Spirit Horse,” 2015).  Teachers can choose between curricular activities designed for the following age groups:  Ages 4-7, 8-11, and 12-14.  Each guide provides teachers with an explanation of how to approach each lesson/topic and is subdivided into culturally relevant topics.

Link: http://spirithorse.ca/learning-circle/

Reference
The Learning Circle | Spirit Horse. (April 20, 2015). Retrieved November 27, 2018, from http://spirithorse.ca/learning-circle/

(Entry 3) PDF Teaching Resource: We are Canada Lesson Package: Introducing Indigenous Contributions and Issues (Elementary)

PDF Teaching Resource:  We are Canada Lesson Package:  Introducing Indigenous Contributions and Issues (Elementary)

This social studies lesson package introduces students to the idea of cultural sensitivity/awareness and encourages students to better understand the history, culture and geography of Indigenous Peoples.  The goal of this study unit is to raise awareness within mainstream Canadian schools concerning current issues within Indigenous communities across Canada; students are encouraged to celebrate Indigenous cultures and take action against contemporary issues facing Indigenous communities.  This lesson package contains complete lesson plans-including activities and tips/suggestions for teachers.

Link:  https://cdn.we.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Introducing-Indigenous-Contributions-and-Issues-Reconciliation.pdf

Reference
Introducing-Indigenous-Contributions-and-Issues-Reconciliation.pdf. (February, 2017). Retrieved November 27, 2018, from https://cdn.we.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Introducing Indigenous-Contributions-and-Issues-Reconciliation.pdf

(Entry 2) PDF Teaching Resource: Ontario Native Literacy Coalition: 13 Moon Curriculum

PDF Teaching Resource:  Ontario Native Literacy Coalition:  13 Moon Curriculum

This second resource teaches students about the thirteen moons associated with Ojibwe, Cree, and Mohawk cultures.  It contains separate units for each First Nation’s group represented in the document and introduces students to the language/dialect associated with each Indigenous community (including introductory pronunciation guides).  There are activities and tasks available within the document, in addition to some recommendations for inviting Elders to one’s classroom.

Link:  https://onlc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/13-Moon-curriculum2.pdf

Reference
https://onlc.ca. (April 22, 2015). ONLC. Retrieved November 27, 2018, from https://onlc.ca

(Entry 1) Website: Oneida Language

For the final entries in my weblog I was approached by a (teacher) colleague who was interested in resources available to teachers of elementary (primary) students in Ontario.  In particular she wanted to help students learn about Indigenous language and culture through the lens/viewpoint of Indigenous community members.  We were able to find a few suitable resources created by Indigenous communities, other resources, however, came from the government, NGOs, or other organizations interested in improving the teaching of Indigenous cultures in the mainstream classroom.

Website:  Oneida Language

For teachers interesting in immersing students in different Indigenous languages and cultures (particularly those found in Ontario), I came across the Oneida Language and Cultural Centre website.  There are a number of different types of resources available on this website but in particular, the resources I was primarily interested in, are those that share Indigenous language(s) with elementary students.  There are areas within this website that allow students to hear words spoken in Oneida (and the phonetic spelling of the words as well).  There are a number of other resources available to teachers as well (lesson plans, and activities for example).

Link:  https://oneidalanguage.ca/learn-our-language/

Reference
Learn Our Language | Oneida. (April 15, 2012). Retrieved November 27, 2018, from https://oneidalanguage.ca/learn-our-language/

(Entry 5) Podcast: From soapstone carving to Second Life: Indigenous peoples in Quebec embrace tradition and technology

Podcast:  From soapstone carving to Second Life: Indigenous peoples in Quebec embrace tradition and technology

This recording (podcast) invites you into the lives of a number of Indigenous people trying to integrate aspects of their culture into Quebec’s more dominant culture.  From Inuit carvers and music makers to a new craft beer company, this podcast showcases Indigeneity ‘in action’ within Quebec.

LINK:  You can find the recording on the cbc.ca/radio link below
From soapstone carving to Second Life: Indigenous peoples in Quebec embrace tradition and technology

October 31, C. R. ·. (2018, November 4). From soapstone carving to Second Life: Indigenous peoples in Quebec embrace tradition and technology | CBC Radio. Retrieved 6 November 2018, from https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/from-soapstone-carving-to-second-life-indigenous-peoples-in-quebec-embrace-tradition-and-technology-1.4645198

(Entry 4) Website: Canada’s History: We are All Treaty People

Website: Canada’s History:  We are All Treaty People

In keeping with what seems to be a pattern this week I delved a bit deeper into the Treaty article (Entry 1 for this Module) and found a pre-planned lesson in which high school students (Grades 9-12) can explore Treaty Relationships through a variety of methods in order to produce a final product displaying research on a topic of their choosing (resources available on the site as well).

LINK:

Canada’s History:  We are All Treaty People

Canada’s History – Canada’s History. (n.d.). Retrieved 6 November 2018, from http://www.canadashistory.ca/education/lesson-plans/we-are-all-treaty-people

(Entry 3) Website: Native Land

Website:  Native Land

This second interactive map provides the user with the opportunity to enter a location within the search box and extract relevant information on treaties, territories, and/or languages found within that particular location within Canada.
The map also comes with a Teacher’s Guide explaining how maps can “potentially function as colonial artifacts and represent a very particular way of seeing the world – a way primarily concerned with ownership, exclusivity, and power relations” (‘NativeLand.ca – Teacher’s Guide’, n.d.)

LINK:
Native Land

NativeLand.ca. (n.d.). Retrieved 6 November 2018, from https://native-land.ca/

(Entry 2) Website: Map of Ontario treaties and reserves

Website:  Map of Ontario treaties and reserves

The Map of Ontario treaties and reserves website can be used to find a reserve or treaty within Ontario.  When you enter a particular address into the search box the interactive map will display the reserve(s) and/or treaties accordingly.  Additionally, below the map is a more in-depth/historical description of treaties available on the map.

LINK:

Map of Ontario treaties and reserves

Map of Ontario treaties and reserves | Ontario.ca. (n.d.). Retrieved 6 November 2018, from https://www.ontario.ca/page/map-ontario-treaties-and-reserves

(Entry 1) Article/Website: A Short History of Treaty Nomenclature in Ontario

Article/Website:  A Short History of Treaty Nomenclature in Ontario

This article on Activehistory.ca provides a brief overview/explanation of the names of the treaties for each territory in Ontario and how their names came to be; this is a great reference article for those looking for a quick, concise explanation of the treaty naming conventions (and the history behind how treaties came to be named) in Ontario.  There are links to other resources within the article and maps as well.

LINK:  A short history of treaty nomenclature in Ontario

A Short History of Treaty Nomenclature in Ontario. (2018, November 5). Retrieved 6 November 2018, from http://activehistory.ca/2018/11/a-short-history-of-treaty-nomenclature-in-ontario/