Category Archives: Module 2

Institute of Play: Socratic Smackdown #3

A versatile discussion-based humanities game to practice argumentation around any text or topic for grades 6 through 12.​

Socratic Smackdown offers a fun approach to having students practice discussion strategies. Socratic Smackdown is a printable game designed to be played with up to forty students at a time. In the game students are awarded points for using each of six questioning and discussion methods. Students can lose points for interrupting or distracting others. The play of Socratic Smackdown can be organized around a text-based question or organized around debate a question delivered verbally. During the game students can play the role of participant or “coach.” A coach’s role is focused on listening to the group and completing “coach cards” on which they write observations on what the participants did well and what they can do to improve.

This is an excellent way to involve students in deep discussions around social justice issues, and I have modified the game-play and introduced this as a ‘contemporary talking-circle” to address topics on social justice affecting Indigenous Peoples in Canada (i.e. Indian Act, UNDRIP, Access to Water, MMIWG, Media Bias, etc.)

Background: https://www.instituteofplay.org/learning-games

Print Resource: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/4401d6_aeab4158fb324a5d80ba9dbcc0c6eed5.pdf

Indigenous Knowledge Systems #2

This site explores ways to more effectively utilize the traditional knowledge systems and ways of knowing that are embedded in Indigenous communities to enrich the school curriculum and enliven the learning experiences of the students. It touched on several topics, including: the convergence between Indigenous knowledge and western science, Ethno-mathematics, Indigenous Language Learning, Cross-Generational Teaching, Place-based Learning, Cultural Systems: Complexity and Learning.

http://www.ankn.uaf.edu/curriculum/Articles/barnhardtKawagley/Indigenous_Knowledge.html

Walking on the Lands of Our Ancestors #1

Grade Levels: 9/10, 11/12

Subject Area: First Nations, Métis and Inuit, Social Studies, History, Language Arts, Art, Social Justice

This lesson is an experiential approach to Indigenous people’s history. I believe it can be modified for lower grade levels, especially as a followup to the Kairos Blanket Activity.  This lesson was written using a Indigenous pedagogical approach.

https://www.canadashistory.ca/education/lesson-plans/walking-on-the-lands-of-our-ancestors

 

Post 2 – Inuit Influence

After watching Nanook of the North and realizing how cultural representations, whether made by an outsider or by local people, can be great ways to share about a culture.

The APTN has recently begun to broadcast Anaana’s Tent, to help share the Inuktitut language.
There are many interesting activities that children can participate in with familiar songs sung in Inuktitut. This is a great example of sharing language and culture in a digital age.

http://www.anaanastent.com/en/home/index

Post 1 – Truth and Reconciliation in the Classroom

While researching Truth and Reconciliation in the classroom, I came upon this resource, focussing on the 94 calls to action. I found the variety of multimedia articles and interviews to be very engaging and helpful to support student understanding. Many of the videos on this website allow students to realize how our past history influences people today, and puts a face to the the history to create a more personal connection.

https://curio.ca/en/collection/beyond-94-truth-and-reconciliation-in-canada-2586/

MODULE 2 RESEARCH WEBLOG

Canadian Human Rights Museum – Indigenous Perspectives

https://humanrights.ca/exhibit/indigenous-perspectives

I visited this museum a few years ago and it was an incredible experience. The museum has endeavored (and succeeded) in creating a space for learning and discussion about all kinds of cultures that have been repressed, suppressed and horribly treated by us and others throughout history. Amazingly, the experience of being in the museum is not one of blame or despair about all of humanity’s wars and genocides – it is one of indomitable hope.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples.html

In a democratic society, cultures have a right to protect themselves. This declaration, adopted by the General Assembly in 2007, covers all areas of cultural rights. In 2016, Canada removed its objector status to the declaration and adopted it as well.

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) – controversial

http://www.afn.ca/Home/

The Assembly of First Nations is an advocacy organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada. Modeled after the UN, it is an assembly of First Nations (Indian bands) represented by their chiefs. However, because the AFN depends on federal funding, it has sometimes been viewed as not representative of the First Nations community.

American Indian Republic

https://americanindianrepublic.com/

While studying for this class, I have come across many articles that talk about white people pretending to be Indigenous. It is a real problem for the Indigenous community as they try to rebuild their identity and identities to have non-indigenous masquerading as provider of Indigenous education.  One of these articles “The Perplexing Nature of “Wannabe Indians” is hosted on a site called the American Indian Republic, which is a site dedicated to discourse of the American Indian experience, including features and interviews.

Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada

https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/

Co-developed by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and Canadian Geographic, with Indigenous people on the editorial board, this amazing book (one of 4 volumes) was created to address actions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically the development of “culturally appropriate curricula” for Aboriginal Canadian students. The atlas is a map of Indigenous lands without the geographical Canadian borders; if you have never seen one, it is humbling.