Stories of the Night Sky is a project where Aboriginal youth from across Canada share stories from community elders through digital video technology. The Mi’kmaq Elders were a large support in revitalizing these stories so that the youth could share them through digital media bringing in both old and new perspectives. As each province is unique in land and sky patterns, the stories are also unique and so you are able to view stories of the night sky from each province in Canada. I was really interested in viewing more stories but not all of the links are working. For some videos, there are translations available.
Tag Archives: Canada
Module 2.4: Aboriginal midwifery program halted
University College of the North had developed a Manitoba midwifery program with a core aboriginal focus in 2006. This program, designed to help provide birth support to mothers in communities lacking complete medical facilities, or to assist women wanting a more traditional birth experience, was nationally unique, in that they were located far from an urban centre, and focused on admitting only indigenous students.
I have been interested in this program for many years, first as a student who desperately wanted to enter midwifery in a time before midwifery was a viable university program (UBC, McMaster & Ryerson Universities all now have well developed 4-year programs). This program was plagued with issues, including having problems recruiting and retaining students, and difficulties having students deliver enough babies for graduation (there is a mandatory minimum birth attendance required). Ultimately only 8 students graduated from this program, with the majority of them being non-aboriginal. Instead of meaningful examination of why or how indigenous students were not attracted to or able to stay in the program, the province determined that it was best to overhaul the program and move it under the umbrella of the University of Manitoba’s broader medical program.
Based on the information released, it does not seem that this program was given evaluation to allow it to succeed.
Module 2.1: LIME Network
The Lime Network, or the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education Network, represents a group of New Zealand and Australian Deans of medical education with a two-pronged goal:
- to incorporate traditional/indigenous knowledge into medical education/practical training, and
- to develop best practices in the recruitment, retention and graduation of indigenous medical students
This model is very interesting for a number of reasons, but I think of most use in a course like our own, is the page they’ve developed to share Resources & Lime Publications. On this page, the LIME network shares resources which include a collection of videos/curriculum frameworks and “good practice case studies” (much of undergraduate medical education is currently taught through case-based or problem-based learning).
Module 1-Post 2: Aboriginal Digital Collections
Aboriginal Digital Collections
Libraries and Archives Canada (LAC) is fully aware that Aboriginal culture and heritage make up a large part of Canada’s fabric. LAC has compiled an extensive collection of resources in their database that can be used as teaching resources or for research. These resources have been created by and/or about Aboriginal people. The site also showcases a directory of Aboriginal authors from across the country, artists that work in various mediums, illustrators, newspapers and libraries.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/aboriginal-peoples/index-e.html
Module 1 Post 1 – Aboriginal Filmmakers
I was very interested in the Ginsburg article which talked about aboriginal filmmakers.
The National Film Board has a page discussing the history of aboriginal filmmakers and the NFB. This page also features a selection films at the bottom of the page.
https://www.nfb.ca/playlists/gil-cardinal/aboriginal-voice-national-film-board-/
This is a study that was completed about Canadian and international aboriginal filmmakers. It provides a bit of background to Canada’s aboriginal history, a summary of recent accomplishments in the field, and the current state of the industry.
http://www.omdc.on.ca/Assets/Research/Research+Reports/Indigenous+Feature+Film/Indigenous+Feature+Film+Production+in+Canada.pdf
I also looked up the production company begun by Rachel Perkins that was mentioned in the Ginsburg article.
http://blackfellafilms.com.au/
Catherine