Author Archives: ronaye kooperberg

Indigenous Education Protocol

After reviewing the video with Mary Simon, I became curious about post-secondary education for Aboriginal youth, specifically those living in remote areas. I cam across the College and Institutes Canada webpage which collaborates

with post-secondary institutes who actively recruit and create curriculum which encompasses a holistic, aboriginal centered approach. The To be a recognized member of the Indigenous Education Protocol, institutions must agree to seven core principles: some include making indigenous education a priority, employing aboriginal people, and commit to developing an indigenous center on campus.

The purpose of this is to improve access to post-secondary education for aboriginal students as well as to ensure these students needs are met in the institution. This website is geared towards post-secondary institutions and provides supports to these institutions to ensure the learner’s needs are met.

Mary Simon made some good points about connecting the Inuit population to future Northern jobs, the Indigenous Education Protocol may be a helpful in educating Northern populations.

To view the website: http://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/the-issues/indigenous-learners/approaches-and-exemplary-practices-to-guide-implementation/indigenous-education-protocol/

Ronaye Kooperberg (Module 2 – Post 4)

The Runner – A Video Vignette on Stereotypes

In an attempt to delve further into the content of module 2, I searched for a website on recognizing stereotypes and how colonialism has defined Indigenous people. What I came across was a Vimeo video published in 2011 called The Runner. This vignette provides the perspective of Canadian youth, teachers as well as academics on this topic. This video talks about the impacts of stereotypes in general and then focuses on how the media represents aboriginals. The “meat” of this piece is the discussion around how media representation (misrepresentation) of First Nations communities affect the individual. This pieces allowed me to get closer to understanding how stereotypes can impact a culture and begin to see how this can begin to possibly erode a culture.

The use of this technology, the video vignette, provides a forum for communicating identity and stereotypes, with the intent to breakdown the stereotypes for future generations. This video could be useful to high school/post-secondary educators to create a discussion around stereotypes and First Nations populations.

To view this video: http://runnermag.ca/2011/11/stereotypes-of-first-nations/

Ronaye Kooperberg (Module 2 – Blog Post 3)

Indigenous Studies – Portal Tool

In an effort to create a new narrative for aboriginal peoples, the University of Saskatchewan has complied more than 25,000 digital artifacts for indigenous research. This portal originating in 2011, showcases a turtle housing research topics such as Indigenous law, spiritual knowledge, economic development and education (plus more). Once your selection is made, the portal provides articles, book reviews, e-books and additional digital artifacts on the selected topic. The portal also allows for collaboration, as community members are able to suggest digital resources for publication. In addition, the Maps section is helpful for visualizing locations of First Nations groups within specific provinces. This would be a great resource for school-aged children to add context to Aboriginal curriculum. This is a must-use website for Aboriginal research.

Ronaye Kooperberg – Module 2 Post 2

Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative (MAEI)

As one in three aboriginal people have not graduated from high school, the Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative (MAEI) is an organization which aims to provide support to elementary and secondary aboriginal students. Their goal is to raise education levels as well as graduation rates for the indigenous population within Canada. This website provides resources for educators in the form of successful programs and provides opportunities to participate in such programs. Opportunities such as Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurial Program and the Accounting Mentorship Program are two examples which are aimed at a holistic education program and encouraging students to pursue post-secondary education. Ultimately, this program is in place to support “the social and economic strength of the Aboriginal people.” This program operates in conjunction with elders, but interestingly, the administration seems to be of non-aboriginal heritage.

Website: http://www.maei-ieam.ca/about.html

Ronaye Kooperberg (Module 2 – Post 1)

Emotional Competency

After watching the video with Dr. Lee Brown, I thought I would explore more information about the idea of emotional education as well as Dr. Brown, himself. Through the UBC website, I found a bio as well as a presentation on Emotional Competency and Its Effects on Health. Once you open the website, click on the Download Presentation Notes link towards the bottom of the webpage.

This presentation begins with a historical look into the world of emotions. From Aristotle to John Locke, Dr. Brown explores man’s evolution of thought. He then moves into a discussion about how our ability to be emotionally aware (competent) can add to our longevity and general well-being. There is great information within this presentation which provides further insight into his online video discussion this week, including the Principles of Emotional Communication which would assist any teacher in any classroom.

To access the website: http://learningcircle.ubc.ca/2011/03/emotional-competency-its-effects-on-health/

(Module 1 – Post 5)

Urban Aboriginal Knowledge Network (UAKN)

The Urban Aboriginal Knowledge Network provides a voice for those Indigenous individuals and families choosing to live outside of traditional land (reservation). This website provides an interactive map illustrating breakdown of aboriginal populations per major center. Furthermore, this website provides interactive infograph on what the average aboriginal life is like within an urban center with respect to education, finances, and quality of life.

The research aspect of the knowledge network aims at providing a higher quality of life for urban aboriginals. Through partnerships with social organizations and educational institutions, they aim to develop policies to assist these members of urban communities. Research generated from this organization is quite diverse, from topics such as Truth in Indigenous Ways of Knowing to Transforming Education for the Urban Youth. These topics highlight the contrasting challenge of urban aboriginals such as social dislocation, assisting with family separation and how to combat racial discrimination. While this is a different dialogue, it is one that must be included within the Indigenous experience.

To access the website, click on: http://uakn.org/

(Module 1 – Post 4)

National Film Board of Canada – Aboriginal Peoples Channel

The NFB has created an Aboriginal people’s channel which highlights 35 indigenous documentaries. The content on this channel provides an outlet for aboriginal-produced content which spans the storytelling spectrum. From a historical examination through the eyes of female aboriginal artists (Hands of History) to investigations of modern clashes between police and Indigenous people (You Are on Indian Land). These videos showcase perspectives, values and ideals of aboriginal people in Canada. Artists are invaluable in providing commentary to controversial issues and these artists lend their voices to many issues which are not known to the general population.

The only downfall to this website is the lack of a summary beneath each video. You do have to click into the pictorial representation to determine the nature of each. It would be beneficial to have these categorized in ways that would allow for faster assessment. For example, having an historical category and traditions section would allow the user to filter videos of interest.

Otherwise, this website (or channel of a website) provides a glimpse into the important issues in aboriginal culture.

To view this website: https://www.nfb.ca/channels/aboriginal_peoples_channel/

(Module 1 – Post 3)

Urban Native Magazine

While this may not be a scholarly website, Urban Native Magazine provides readers with a multitude of information. While some of this information may be best left to teenage girls, this magazine celebrates aboriginal culture. Like most magazines, emphasis on fashion and up-and-coming trends are prevalent; however, this magazine provides a cultural temperature on indigenous business opportunities, explores stereotypes and provides commentary on serious and relevant aboriginal issues. A recurring article entitled Rez Girl in the City (written by Anonymous) provides a dialogue of merging the modern world with aboriginal values and the trials which this particular individual experiences as a result. (Module 1 – Post 2)

To view this websites, visit, http://urbannativemag.com/

Indigenous Youth Art

After our readings this week, I went exploring to view more Indigenous art, in particular art created by younger generations. This website provides a glimpse into up-and-coming media art which examines multiple genres (political, sociological and futuristic). Artists featured on this website are creating a dialogue which reflects the voices heard of Canadian indigenous populations. This website provides a introductions about new artists, new productions and upcoming events. ImagineNATIVE also provides links to artist websites and to festival information celebrating indigenous art. (Module 1 – Weblog Post 1)

http://www.imaginenative.org/home/node/2768