Tag Archives: ecological issues

Module 4 – Indigenous Education and the Environment

Indigenous Environmental Education for Cultural Survival 

https://nycstandswithstandingrock.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/simpson-2013.pdf

  • This paper, written by an Ojibwe PhD student at Trent University, addresses a number of “serious and complex environmental issues” facing Indigenous communities in the Canadian context. It is focused predominantly on post-secondary environmental education programs, and touches on the importance of Indigenous philosophies in education, including elders in program development, language, Indigenous ways of knowing, the connection to land. This document also touches on the ways in which Western science plays into supporting Indigenous education. I found it particularly interesting to explore the ways in which Indigenous education is addressed and promoted at a post-secondary level, and my predominant focus has been on earlier education.

 

Indigenizing Environmental Education: Conceptualizing Curriculum that Fosters Educational Leadership

http://www.mfnerc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Section4_Indigenizing-Environmental-Education-Conceptualizing-Curriculum-that-Fosters-Educational-Leadership.pdf

  • This article reviews various reforms that have taken place in the public education systems across Canada that continue to exacerbate a gap between Indigenous knowledge and mainstream environmental education by highlighting two dichotomous perspectives. It further considers how to bridge this gap, by suggesting activities and ways for students to develop a meaningful understanding and sense of importance for place. Topics include oral story-telling, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and how to incorporate one’s environment into curricula in alternative ways.

 

Aboriginal Cultural Programs

http://www.cheakamuscentre.ca/programs/aboriginal-education-programs

  • This website provides information on a variety of educational programs available to students and adults to broaden their understanding of the Squamish Nation territory in British Columbia. The Cheakamus Centre was formerly known as the North Vancouver Outdoor School, and as the name implies, its main focus it centred on providing educational experiences based in nature and the surrounding environment. It also has an active role in the conservation of various areas on the North Shore.

 

TEDxDarwin – Chris Garner – Transforming the Teacher in Indigenous Education

  • This Ted Talk sees Australian educator Chris Garner challenge the ways in which educators can evolve in their practice to meaningfully improve Indigenous student success by engaging in school and increasing their graduation rates. Stories and example are in an Australian context but are very relatable and transferable to our communities in Canada. Chris Garner asks how we can make activities relevant to each student’s real life and desired outcomes, versus treating and assessing each student the same way.

 

Clearing

clearingmagazine.org

  • CLEARING is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that serves as “an online and print magazine for environmental literacy education in the Pacific Northwest and Cascadia bioregion.” It is a useful resource for educators looking for tools and strategies to connect environmental education/issues with their curricula, and offers best practice strategies. The bottom of the Monthly Newsletter section provides a useful, wide-ranging search option that allows you to browse information by theme or topic.

Christi Belcourt: Meeting the Artist -(Module 4-Post1)

https://youtu.be/8WL-RB78

https://youtu.be/JwNHNm9

In these two videos, Christi Belcourt explains her paintings, and the inspiration for them. It is evident that Christi’s work is driven by nature, and ecological issues regarding water, extinction of certain birds, and plants (along with their edibility and medicinal value). She refers to invaluable traditional knowledge. Christi explains how roots in one of her works represent connection to Mother Earth and her ancestors. My initial topic of inquiry is: ethnobotany through the Arts lens. Christi’s works are inspired by plants.