Author Archives: Sam Charles (He/Him/His)

After two decades of working in televisions and radio, Sam transitioned to a role in post-secondary education in 2013 at UBC Okanagan. Sam is the Communications Manager for the School of Engineering where he develops content and provides technical assistance to faculty, staff and students. September 2021 marks Sam's second term in MET.

Module 4 post 5 (Sam Charles)

The process of discovery is so much fun, and to stumble upon a new worthwhile resource is awesome. These five sites provide some excellent examples of video as a method to disseminate Indigenous knowledge, and will be included in the video repository of my final project.

  1. Documenting elders on film
  2. Listen to the knowledge of the elders
  3. First Nations Pedagogy
  4. The contribution of indigenous elders: An example of intergenerational solidarity
  5. Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre

1. Listen to the knowledge of the elders

The National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education (NCCIE) is hosted by First Nations University of Canada. This site provides a full video catalogue featuring over 200 videos highlighting First Nations, Metis, and Inuit ways of knowing and being. The site provides a searchable directory of audio and video resources.

https://www.nccie.ca/knowledge-space/elder-knowledge/

2. Documenting elders on film

Director Sarain Fox has produced some wonderful videos highlighting Indigenous culture, and many feature Elders including her auntie and matriarch Mary Bell. This documentary is extremely powerful. “We are people of our land, and people of our stories.”

https://www.cbc.ca/shortdocs/shorts/inendi

3. First Nations Pedagogy

This site curated by two educators provides resources related to Indigenous pedagogy.

https://firstnationspedagogy.ca. The site led me to the Grandmothers Wisdom Project.

The Project is intended to supporting all people reclaiming their relationship to Mother Earth, calling for a profound transformation in the heart, mind, and spirit.

https://www.grandmotherswisdom.org/

4. McMaster Indigenous Elder projects

I found several Elder videos posted by McMaster University. Many are related to health and Indigenous knowledge in this area. This is an interesting blog post about the contributions of elders with health contexts.

https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2021/08/25/the-contribution-of-indigenous-elders-an-example-of-intergenerational-solidarity

5. Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre

The MFERC provides services and supports to First Nation schools in Manitoba. They also have a collection of documentaries and videos featuring elders.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6UdcrR9HVgLR-0-ZrUysM0EmokbxC0i_

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6UdcrR9HVgKnWAVfMpXYlfGR9VWjQuHX

 

 

Module 4 post 4 (Sam Charles)

As we near the end of this journey, I continue to seek more examples of Indigenous elders telling their stories to better understanding the process and their story. These examples are some that I may include in my final project video repository.

  1. The Sacred Relationship
  2. Storytelling videos from Saskatchewan Library Services
  3. Our Elder Stories
  4. First Nations University Elder Story Content
  5. NCOA Native Elder Storytelling Project

 

  1. The Sacred Relationship

Beautiful website that includes middle school curriculum and resources related to our relationship with water as led by elders.

https://www.sacredrelationship.ca

  1. Storytelling videos from Saskatchewan Library Services

As part of Aboriginal Storytelling Month in January 2021, Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples celebrated Indigenous storytelling

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRUK7BHZUVfpvqy_Z-5tR3JcAw4rCML7

  1. Our Elder Stories

Judy Iseke’s research has been front-and-centre for much of my research related to storytelling and video. She provides great insight into the importance of Elder knowledge and storytelling. She hosts this great website:

https://ourelderstories.com

  1. First Nations University Elder Story Content

Elder videos produced by First Nations University. The length of the video are succinct but the content is powerful.

https://opentextbooks.uregina.ca/financialempowerment/back-matter/video-interviews-with-elders/

  1. NCOA Native Elder Storytelling Project

The National Indian Council of Aging (in the United States) posted a number of videos of elders sharing their stories and experiences.

https://www.nicoa.org/newsroom/videos/the-native-elder-storytelling-project/

Module 4 post 3 (Sam Charles)

Continuing this journey searching for different approaches of sharing Indigenous knowledge through storytelling, I found the follow resources that are examples of methods that video can be used to share Indigenous knowledge (this provides some best practices that I am developing for my final project):

  1. Promotion video highlighting an Indigenous storytelling workshop
  2. SD36 elementary school resources including videos
  3. Importance of storytelling
  4. Indigenous Storywork
  5. PBS Circle of Stories

1. Promotion video highlighting an Indigenous storytelling workshop

It appears that the workshop is no longer being offered, but this promotional video highlights a workshop that the Young People’s Theatre facilitated that emphasized the importance of Indigenous knowledge to youth.

2. SD36 elementary school resources including videos

Indigenous resources for teacher from SD36 through their Indigenous Learning Teacher Website. The site includes links, some lesson plans, and resources. Lots of interesting videos featuring storytelling.

https://aboriginalresourcesforteachers.weebly.com/videos-from-our-dcf.html

3. Importance of storytelling

Some curriculum and videos highlighting the importance of storytelling within Indigenous culture produced by the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium.

https://empoweringthespirit.ca/sharing-through-story/

I particularly enjoyed learning from this video:

4. Indigenous Storywork

Fabulous resources highlights the work of UBC Professor Emeritus Q’um Q’um Xiiem where she and her collaborators discuss the importance of traditional and life experiences stories for disseminating Indigenous cultures and ways of knowing.

https://indigenousstorywork.com/

5. PBS Circle of Stories

As we know, before settlers arrived, many Indigenous peoples lived and moved across lands we know delineate by borders. That’s why PBS’ Circle of Stories has some great resources and teaching tools for educators that may be relevant to Canadian educators as well.

https://www.pbs.org/circleofstories/index.html

Module 4 post 2 (Sam Charles)

Following up on the readings from Week 10 and 11, I started to investigate some resources for better understanding why the study of Indigenous culture, history and language is important. For my final project, this concept of why this teaching is important provides more context as to why Indigenous teaching and learning has a role within education in Canada and beyond.

  1. Documenting the resurgence of a culture (Sinixt)
  2. How to understand Indigenous Culture
  3. The importance of understanding Indigenous history
  4. Why learning about Indigenous Peoples is important
  5. Indigenous learning products

1. Documenting the journey of an Indigenous People’s to overturn its legal extinction designation. The making of this film is similar to some of the content we read about earlier in this course. In 1995, after hearing the story of Watt and the Sinixt struggle, the director reached out to the Sinixt. After several weeks of phone conversations, he was invited attend the annual Thanksgiving gathering at the site. The director used the limited funds he received from the NFB to produce seven hours of initial recordings that are now the core of the film.

https://yfile.news.yorku.ca/2022/11/09/york-film-professors-documentary-explores-little-known-struggle-of-the-sinixt-people/

2. The Program Coordinator for the Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark describes how learning about Indigenous cultures, histories and languages can enhance partnerships and relationships.

https://en.ccunesco.ca/blog/2019/8/understanding-indigenous-cultures-traditions-and-languages

3. This site provides lots of resources to educate, raise awareness, and cultural understanding and competency, so users can address and dismantle systemic barriers that exist for Indigenous peoples.

https://www.kbrs.ca/insights/why-understanding-indigenous-history-important

 

4. An overview of why learning about Indigenous Peoples is important with primarily Australian resources

https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/education/how-do-i-start-learning-about-aboriginal-culture

5. Indigenous Learning provides access to resources, courses, workshops and events on the history, heritage, cultures, rights and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The site offers 6 online courses including reflecting on cultural bias, historical relationships between Canada and Indigenous peoples, First Nations overview, Metis in Canada, Inuit in Canada and steps towards Indigenous Reconciliation.

https://www.csps-efpc.gc.ca/ils-eng.aspx

Module 4 post 1 (Sam Charles)

In this post, I went on a journey to further explore Indigenous storytelling and video but also wanted to investigate the role of reflection (motivated by the readings and discussion within Week 10). This concept of reflection within the interpretation of videos is an important component of video within pedagogy.

  1. Using Indigenous storytelling to connect (Halloween)
  2. Connecting with elders
  3. Understanding the power of sharing through storytelling
  4. Understanding Indigenization through reflection
  5. Describing the process of decolonizing a museum

 

1. This is an interesting Halloween inspired news story that also includes some additional features related to Indigenous storytelling

Indigenous storytelling (scary stories)

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/indigenous-storytellers-share-scary-stories-and-the-wisdom-they-hold-1.6629302

2. Storytelling video featuring an elder

-effective and appropriate approach to Indigenous storytelling through video

The video is part of a series created by the TreadRight Foundation.

 

3. Dan Nanamkin describes the power of sharing history through story-telling within a TEDs Talk from Spokane.

 

4. I appreciated the introspection of this post regarding using reflection as a tool for Indigenizing

As the author says “Reflection helps us understand our experiences, navigate hardships, and act strategically.”

https://nativegov.org/news/reflection-a-tool-for-indigenizing-the-future/

5. This Q&A investigates the manner in which the Royal Ontario Museum is decolonizing through the eyes of two of their facilitators.

https://medium.com/viewfinder-reflecting-on-museum-education/decolonize-and-indigenize-a-reflective-dialogue-3de78fa76442   

Module 3 post 5 (Sam Charles)

In this post, I further explore working with Indigenous elders through video. Connecting with elders, and learning through their teaching is an important part of knowledge sharing (and a focus of my final project). Here are some examples of elder’s sharing knowledge:

  • University of Victoria Podcast about truth, memory, power, and human rights
  • Word choice when interviewing Indigenous Elders
  • Learning project from North Dakota North American Essential Understanding Project
  • Indigenous Elders curriculum guide (Alberta)
  • Connection between Elders and the health system
  • Powerful story from an Elder in Vancouver discussing his experiences with residential school

The Library at the University of Victoria offers a podcast called “Taapwaywin” that brings ideas and concepts to audiences around the world through sharing recorded visits with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, scholars, and practitioners.

Dr. Jacque Gray from the Native Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative reviews the importance of word choices when interviewing Indigenous seniors.

Teachings of our elders: North Dakota Native American Essential Understanding Project provides some interesting resources.

Walking Together: First Nations, Metis, Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum

Curriculum guide and resources for discussing the role of Elders in their communities.

In this storytelling-based presentation, Alex Allard-Gray discusses the importance and roles that elders have in First Nations communities and how these experiences are not reflected in their interactions with the healthcare system.

Video posted by the Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto.

William Quinn, First Nationals Elder outlines his experience at residential school.

Module 3 Post 4 (Sam Charles)

In this post, I wanted to investigate what videos are out there that are intended to educated an audience about Indigenous Knowledge. While my final project focuses on Elders sharing knowledge through storytelling, these links provide a variety of approaches to sharing Indigenous knowledge through video.

  1. Tips for engaging with Indigenous People
  2. What to say and do when working with Indigenous People
  3. Reporting on Indigenous stories
  4. What is an Indigenous Elder
  5. Role of Indigenous elders within the health care system

 

How to talk about Indigenous People of Canada provides 3 key things to remember

  • Understand we all have different tribes or nations
  • Get to know personal preferences, and how they prefer to be addressed
  • Understand the difference between different terms

Bob Joseph presentation entitled 20 tips on what not to say and do when working with First Nations that he presented to Geoscience BC

Reporting in Indigenous communities: 5 tips to get it right – short video with recommendations/tips from Angela Sterritt who is a Gitxsan Reporter

  • Cautious of stereotyping
  • Provide context
  • Consult with multiple courses
  • Balance
  • Create positive relationships

Full blog is available at https://www.cbc.ca/radio/docproject/blog/reporting-in-indigenous-communities-5-tips-to-get-it-right-1.3480853

CBC News from New Brunswick created a video seeks to define what an Edler is within The Elders: Getting to know some of the most honoured members of First Nation communities.

The crucial role of Indigenous elders through the eyes of Doreen Spence who discusses how healthy elders are essential to the identity of Indigenous people.

 

Module 3 Post 3 (Sam Charles)

Linking technology with Indigenous cultures, traditions and knowledge is the focus of this post. My final project focuses on using video to share Indigenous knowledge (specifically through storytelling), so the following sites are examples of using technology for this purpose.

  • 3D technology can preserve culture
  • Berkeley program
  • MIT looks to collaborate with Indigenous groups
  • ITU report on how Indigenous peoples have shaped technologies
  • Misinterpretation of Indigenous technologies

This first link describes how some Indigenous groups are using 3D technologies to preserve the culture.

The Berkeley Center for New Media offers a cool program where they explore linking technology with Indigeneity.

MIT hosted a conference connecting technology with Indigenous groups. The conference had lots of Canadian connections, but I haven’t found a follow-up since other than this conference.

Excellent overview by the ITU of how Indigenous knowledge and partnerships have helped to produce several notable technologies, with use cases ranging from medical to forensic to environmental. At the same time, many communities have turned to the latest tech to help secure their heritage and navigate the challenges of climate change.

A discussion from Swinburne University of Technology about how the Indigenous technology and its usage is often misunderstood.

 

Module 3 Post 2 (Sam Charles)

In this post, I will highlight content related to Indigenizing curriculum. In the first two weeks of this module, the content has focused in on protecting culture and one way to do so is by Indigenizing the curriculum. While some of this subject matter only loosely connects with my final project regarding video as a dissemination tool for Indigenous knowledge, it is vital to have context within the discussion of using technology for sharing.

  • SFU Indigenizing Resources
  • Indigenization (of data)
  • UBC Indigenization resources
  • UFV Indigenization plans and resources
  • UBC Indigenous Studies Indigenization Discussion

Simon Fraser University provides a handy webpage that outlines the rationale for championing Indigenization, and resources to assist in that process.

Through my searches, found the Indigitization: Tools for Digitizing and Sustaining Indigenous Knowledge, is a collaborative initiative between BC Indigenous groups and academic partners from the University of British Columbia and the University of Northern British Columbia. The site provides resources to assist in Indigenous information management.

Similarly, University of British Columbia: Indigenous Foundations provides background and resources for educators to Indigenize their curriculum. It also includes some video resources that are of particular interest based on my final assignment.

Learn how the University of the Fraser Valley is working towards Indigenizing their programs and systems. The site includes their strategic plan, resources and initiatives at the institution.

This video describes what Indigenizing the curriculum means, and how it can be practiced (through the eyes of Jo-ann Archibald, Professor and the director of NITEP (Native Indian Teacher Education Program) at the Department of Educational Studies and the associate dean for Indigenous Education at the Faculty of Education at UBC.

Module 3 Post 1 (Sam Charles)

Inspired by week #6 readings, I started to explore the idea of what Indigenous Knowledge means. This relates to my final project where I am exploring the usage of video within the dissemination of Indigenous Knowledge.

Three key topics (explored this week related to the week’s readings):

  • What does Indigenous Knowledge Mean
  • Defining Indigenous / Traditional Knowledge
  • Federal Government usage of Indigenous Knowledge

I was fortunate to participate in training facilitated by the Indigenous Corporate Training Group earlier this year. Their blog of April 6, 2018 does a great job summarizing what Indigenous knowledge means and why it is important.

Bruchac (2014) also investigates the topic of Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Knowledge in her 2014 paper of that title

“Traditional Indigenous knowledge can be defined as a network of knowledges, beliefs, and traditions intended to preserve, communicate, and contextualize Indigenous relationships with culture and landscape over time.” (p.3815)

I had never heard of the Government of Canada’s Impact Assessment Act, but it is a measure in place intended to help meet reconciliation commitments through recognizing Indigenous Knowledge in what it does. This act “requires that Indigenous Knowledge be taken into account when it is provided for impact, strategic and regional assessments.”

Understanding how to tangibly interconnect Indigenous Knowledge with subjects like climate change and sustainability was highlighted in this CBC news story:

Another example of integrating Indigenous knowledge into science dialogues through a Conversation op-ed.