Tag Archives: culture

Toward a First Nations Cross-Cultural Science and Technology Curriculum

http://www.duluth.umn.edu/~kzak/documents/Aikenhead97-NOS.pdf

This article explores First Nations science curriculum from a cultural perspective. It documents the stark contrast of nature as seen by science and Aboriginal people. These differences are seen both socially, intellectually and how they associate with human action. Typically science is seen as a Western philosophy, so in order for Aboriginal students to learn about western science it is seen as crossing cultural borders for them. Aboriginal people would rather embrace and respect the mysteries of nature rather than conquer it and explain it.

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Culturally Responsive Teaching (Brown University)

Culturally Responsive Teaching

This Brown University website recognizes the importance of culture in learning. It lists the “What”, “Why” and “How” of the seven aspects of culturally responsive teaching. These aspects include positive perspectives on parents and families, communicating of high expectations, as well as allowing students to learn within the context of their culture. Furthermore, teacher instruction should be student-centred and culturally mediated. These principles can be applied to our everyday classroom.

Worldviews and Aboriginal Cultures: Where hearts are rooted

https://education.alberta.ca/media/307113/o02.pdf

This article provides an insightful view into the historical relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the European settlers. It reiterates that education is the key to recognizing the wrongs that have been committed and by acknowledging the broken past, bridges to a more positive relationship can be made. It includes information about the major historical events and what kind of impact they have had on the lives of Aboriginal people. It brings to light the notion of incorporating Aboriginal content in ways such as creating a foundation for a solid classroom community or recognizing how our individual actions affect those around us.

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Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group

http://www.hulquminum.bc.ca

This site represents the collaboration of 6 first nations groups working together to advocate for land ownership, jurisdiction & law making, culture heritage, natural resources etc.

It serves as another example of how technology is being used to strengthen communication among various bands to strengthen native issues and create meaningful change that will facilitate the preservation of culture and ensure its continued development.

Module 2 – Post 5
Ryan Silverthorne

Who owns Native Culture?

http://web.williams.edu/AnthSoc/native/index.htm

Based on the book of the same name Michael Brown created a website focussing on the ongoing “legal status of indigenous art, music, folklore, biological knowledge, and sacred sites.”

Of particular interest are the many links that are aligned to chapters in his book. Brown discusses the importance of protecting the culture for those it represents.

This site is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the topic of cultural protection in general and through online means. It is also a great site for insights into legal rights claims and the implications on communities.

*Note that while most links on the site are still active and relevant Brown has stopped updating the site as of April 2014. It is still however, a worthwhile resource.

Module 2 – Post 1
Ryan Silverthorne

CBC Digital Archives: Native Issues

By Canadian Broadcasting Corporation [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The CBC Digital Archives website includes a collection of archives about native issues. Many of the archive stories include video or audio clips and summary lists of ‘Did You Knows’ which list key facts. In addition, some of the archives have lesson plans already created for teachers to use. The archives cover a range of topics including, treaty rights, land claims, native literature and key historic events.

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)

2.2: ACI Manitoba’s Indigenous Programs

Website: ACI Manitoba’s Indigenous Programs

ACI Manitoba is a non-profit organization devoted to supporting arts and culture in Manitoba. ACI places a special emphasis on indigenous programming, and offers a variety of workshops, courses, and seminars related to indigenous art and storytelling. The website also includes valuable resources for young indigenous artists. One resource that I found particularly useful was a Grant Writing Toolkit . The site also includes links to a plethora of Manitoban and Canadian organizations that can provide support to indigenous artists.

Nuymbalees Cultural Centre

This is a link to the Nuymbalees Cultural Centre’s website. http://www.museumatcapemudge.com/#!form__map/c24vq

This cultural centre is located on Quadra island in the village of Cape Mudge. Their mission is a broad one centred on cultural preservation and reinvigoration. In so doing they collect and preserve traditional artifacts, record traditional stories, offer language courses in the Kwak’wala language, and much more.

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