Posts from — September 2009

Multiliteracies Learning Initiative

What is the story behind the term multiliteracies? It was first coined by a group of scholars, known as the London Group, in 1996 to address the need to revitalize literacy pedagogy in response to the diversity of literacy and modes of communication in our society – hence multiliteracies (multiple literacy practices). These scholars recognized that the traditional understanding of literacy – written text and speech – were collapsing. Not only does this term reflect the changing environment of literacy and communication technologies, it underscores the transformation of information communication technologies (ICTs) from an adjunct course delivery tool to an integral element of course pedagogies.
Multiliteracies approach recognizes the diversity of cultures and communication in our society. This, I believe, provides an opportunity for an inclusive, and holistic approach to learning. Under the multiliteracies framework the site focuses on: multimodal literacy, critical literacy, creative learning literacy, collective intelligence, and finally reflective risk taking.

The site is early stages of development so it doesn’t have established links and significant publications. This is a site to keep one’s eye on to determine if it in fact develops into a productive and resourceful site. The blog section is active and has some interesting insights.
For example, under the blogs there is a youtube clip
The Full Monteverdi which uses Renaissance vocal music to create a contemporary drama. The film is sung throughout and the only other audio that can be heard is background noise from the setting (a restaurant).

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TXgEZg062Q[/youtube]

The blogger states that this clip really opened his eyes – learning how powerful music and film could be to convey a message and asking what else could he need his eyes open to see? I thought this is particularly relevant to this course for me as a causian white male trying to grasp a further understanding of the relationship between and amongst Indigeneity, technology and education. As a beneficiary of the dominant culture do I need to have my eyes open to see? In other words, what have I been unable or unwilling to see?

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL7vK0pOvKI[/youtube]

As a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Davis describes the current state of endangered indigenous cultures through photos and experiences, and describes the alarming rate at which they are disappearing from the face of the planet.  This talk relates to our discussion about whether or not technology is “culturally neutral”.  Davis describes the many similarities among human beings, but also discusses some of the differences in cultural traditions and values, describing the “myriad cultures of the world that make up a web of spiritual life and cultural life that envelops the planet”.

Davis discusses beliefs, and experiences that outline some of the endangered cultures that he has had experience with, and describes some of the challenges that are faced by those cultures.  In closing, Davis maintains that through media (print, electronic, cinematic), National Geographic hopes to foster understanding and appreciation of all cultures, in hopes that precious cultures are not lost to (or in) the masses.

URL: http://www.tseshaht.com/?page=1

Located in what are now referred to as Barkley Sound and the Alberni Valley, the Tseshaht First Nation is an active community of about 900 members, who maintain resource-based, educational and health initiatives in pursuit of sustainability and self-sufficiency.  This website provides viewers a brief overview of the history of the nation, including territory maps and information about influential community members such as George Clutesi.

In browsing this site as a non-member, I hoped to learn a little more about the history of the territory that I now call home, and a little more about my neighbours, the Tseshaht First Nation.  I was able to find some general information, look at pictures, and listen to their Welcome Song.  The site is set up for community members as well, and has information about events, facility rentals and administration contact information.  I found that the site had almost a “touristy” feel to it—I’m not really sure who the intended audience is, but I think that members and non-members alike will be able to find some information about the community and their territory and traditions.

http://maps.fphlcc.ca/

First created in 2005 with the support of the British Columbia Ministry of Education, the First Peoples’ Language Map of B.C. is a project that has organized and categorized the indigenous languages of British Columbia by name(s), location and language family—both in a list and interactive map format.  In addition to the aforementioned language resources, there is a listing of First Nations in B.C., as well as a listing of “Community Champions” from various communities in B.C.: champion artists and language activists.

Perhaps the most informative section of the site, particularly to those who have little knowledge of the linguistic diversity in B.C., is the interactive map on the main page.  Viewers are able to examine contemporary as well as “sleeping” languages, and can customize the map view to suit their needs and interests.  The inclusion of sleeping languages demonstrates the urgency of the issue of language revitalization in B.C., and will inform both indigenous and non-indigenous viewers of the diversity and jeopardy faced by B.C. First Nations.

URL: http://www.firstvoices.com/scripts/WebObjects.exe/FirstVoices.woa/wa/file

The First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation, with the support of government agencies such as the Department of Canadian Heritage, and the British Columbia Ministry of Aboriginal Relations, as well as other partners, has created a set of online tools to assist indigenous people with indigenous language instruction, exploration and cultural revitalization.

Writing systems, images, sounds, videos, and games are embedded on the site, and many are accessible by the general public (some language resources are password protected so as to respect the customs of those particular communities).  In addition to an interactive map and listing of many indigenous languages in Canada, the website also provides a section specifically for children at http://www.firstvoiceskids.com/ , where many languages can be explored by clicking on pictures for sounds, videos and writing.

This site is an attempt to use digital technology to connect people with their language, and by extension, their culture.  In addition to focusing on indigenous community members and their efforts in language documentation and revitalization, in many instances, this site also provides the opportunity for non-community members to explore indigenous languages and to learn more about the diversity of indigenous languages in Canada.

Indigenous Peoples Issues and Resources

http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/

In the websites own words,  they are a “worldwide network of organizations, academics, activists, indigenous groups, and others representing indigenous and tribal peoples. We consist of a concerned group of social scientists, activists, scholars, laypeople, indigenous people, and others who all share a combined goal: to provide resources, news, articles, and information on current issues effecting indigenous and tribal peoples around the world.”

There are links to indigenous communities in many countries including Canada and the U.S.  In if you follow these links you can find information on news, government policies, and initiatives taking place in those communities as well as maps and other information.

Earth Watch Institute

http://www.wadsworth.com/anthropology_d/special_features/ext/earthwatch/rt.html

This website is interested in the link between cultural diversity and biological diversity.  Different cultures have developed based on their connections to the land and ecosystem around them.

There is no individual culture that understands everything about our planet and it therefore stands to reason that all cultures, all people, have something to learn from one another and one of the greatest threats to us all is to lose the cultural diversity of the earth.

There are several roundtable discussions as well as links to other articles and research.

Indigenous Environmental Network

http://www.ienearth.org/index.html

This website is an excellent example of indigenous cultures in North America and around utilizing the power of technology to create an awareness of environmental issues in their traditional lands.  The site also creates opportunity for others to become involved and support their concerns.  There are abundant current news items and links to events past and present.

Centre for World Indigenous Studies

http://cwis.org/

“The Center for World Indigenous Studies (CWIS) is an independent, non-profit [U.S. 501(c)(3)] research and education organization dedicated to wider understanding and appreciation of the ideas and knowledge of indigenous peoples and the social, economic and political realities of indigenous nations.”

Many of the articles and links on this site attempt to show where indigenous cultures fit in the international scheme.  Indigenous culture and society are referred to as the Fourth World Nations.  This site has link to their own research as well as research done by others.  The resources and related sites listed on this website would be a great starting point to anyone looking to find out about indigenous rights around the globe and the issues, both past and present faced by Fourth World Nations.

The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative

This is a link to the set of 2003 Massey Lectures delivered by Tom King and broadcast on the CBC radio program ‘Ideas.’ I have listened to this lecture series twice and would highly recommend them to everyone in ETEC 521.

“…Thomas King looks at the breadth and depth of Native experience and imagination. Beginning with Native oral stories, King weaves his way through literature and history, religion and politics, popular culture and social protest, in an effort to make sense of North America’s relationship with its Aboriginal peoples.”

In this lecture series King explores and touches on some of the themes we are exploring in this module, including mythic/primitive imagery and self-representation. Unfortunately this lecture series is not available through CBC as a free podcast. You can purchase the text or audio versions through Ideas Transcripts or from  House of Anansi Press. and listen to a free clip from their website.

Other publications and work by Thomas King include:

• Native in Literature – 1987 (editor)
• An Anthology of Short Fiction by Native Writers in Canada – 1988 (editor)
• Medicine River – 1990
• All My Relations – 1990 (editor)
• A Coyote Columbus Story – 1992 (Illustrated by William Kent Monkman) (nominated for a Governor General’s Award)
• Green Grass, Running Water – 1993 (nominated for a Governor General’s Award)
• One Good Story, That One – 1993
• Borders – 1993
• Coyotes Sing to the Moon – 1998 (Illustrated by Johnny Wales)
• Truth and Bright Water – 1999
• Dreadful Water Shows Up – 2002 (under the pen-name of Hartley GoodWeather)
• The Truth About Stories – 2003
• Coyote’s New Suit – 2004 (Illustrated by Johnny Wales)
• A Short History of Indians in Canada – 2005
• The Red Power Murders: A DreadfulWater Mystery – 2006 (under the pen-name of Hartley GoodWeather)
• CBC Radio: Dead Dog Cafe

Website of Dr. Brian Dippie – UVIC

This is the home page of Dr. Dippie, faculty in the Department of History at the University of Victoria. Areas of research interest, related to technology and aboriginal  self-representation, include:

• The Mythic West
• History and Art
• Racial Stereotyping in the American West

Listed on this homepage are citations for a number of publications that might be of interest for someone who would like to explore further image and identity in of aboriginal people in American art:

“‘Now or Never Is the Time’: Anthropology, Government Policy and the Concept of the Vanishing Indian,” Hemispheric Perspectives on the United States: Papers from the New World Conference (Greenwood Press, 1978) .

The Vanishing American: White Attitudes and U.S. Indian Policy (Wesleyan University Press, 1982; reprinted, University Press of Kansas, 1991) .

“Representing the Other: The North American Indian,” Anthropology and Photography, 1860-1920, ed. Elizabeth Edwards (Yale University Press/Royal Anthropological Institute, 1992)

“Photographic Allegories and Indian Destiny,” Readings in Aboriginal Studies, vol. 4: Images of the Indian, ed. Joe Sawchuck (Bearpaw Publishing, Brandon University, 1995)

“What Valor Is”: Artists and the Mythic Moment,” Legacy: New Perspectives on the Battle of the Little Bighorn, ed. Charles Rankin (Montan Historical Society Press, 1996)

http://www.aboriginalaffairs.gov.on.ca/english/default.asp

Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs

Since I am new to this area I start my search with a ministry site. I am afraid it is very naive of me but I am not well versed in Aboriginal Issues, culture and education.

I am hoping this ministry site will lead me to other sites

I decided to keep my search closer to home so I went to Fanshawe College, the college where I work. Their virtual library has a list of aboriginal links.

http://www.fanshawec.ca/EN/vlibrary/vlibrary/default.asp

including:

I am very excited to see Databases and e-journals which include Education and training.

Again, staying with the theme of staying home I jumped on the First Nations Technical Institute link
An Aboriginal owned and operated education and training facility located near Deseronto, Ontario.

Not much here to offer information about blogging but interesting to see what types of programs they offer and which universitites and colleges they partner with.

Then there is a link to Six Nations Polytechnic – Post-secondary institution at Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. They also offer programs in partnership with main stream Universities and colleges in Ontario

Looking for aboriginal blogs I stumbled upon RezXtra: http://communities.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/blogs/rezxtra/archive/2009/06/30/canada-day-is-my-aboriginal-day.aspx

It is  a entertainment magazine type blog that speaks to aboriginal issues and other current events. It is based out of Regina Saskatchewan.  I can tell that because of the weather the blog is linked to.

I was hoping to see if they had created a blogoshpere and  connected with other aboriginal blogs to create a community  but unfortunately they have not. REzXtra is a blog inside of LeaderPost, a division of Canwest publishing.  The bog rolls connects to other  canada.com  blogs.

Canadian Journal of Native Education

http://www.lights.ca/sifc/cjne.htm

This site gives you the option to buy the journal. I think this is a good journal if I can find it through the ubc library.

I am a big delicious bookmarker.

I tag all my research findings for ETEC 521 with aboriginal.

My delicious account: http://delicious.com/jwhite64/aboriginal

I have been blogging on my blog https://blogs.ubc.ca/jwhitehead/ but it is not showing up here or is it?
I can’t find them

I guess I have to copy and paste each post… my mistake.

I  thought we were setting up a blogosphere and linking all our blogs together. Now that would be cool.

This is probably easier.

Now if I can figure out how to feed my blog with the blogs from this site. I think it can be done.

I am really excited to explore blogs further since my paper is on blogs

There have been a few links to the news section of Turtle Island’s website but they also have an extensive list of film and theatre resources related to or produced by Aboriginal groups.

Ginsburg article really got me thinking about how Indigenous people’s are involved with and portrayed in modern film and even theatre and I was racking my brain as to additional films that i believe were accurate portrayals of First Nations people and the list I came up with was fairly short.  I am glad to see all of these great films listed in one place, it is a great resource for Aboriginal film studies or further research into how Aboriginal groups use media to share their culture.

Something that comes up time and time again in Aboriginal education are high school and post-secondary completion rates.  It is understandable that completion rates may be lower when First Nations students are enrolled in less traditional and, for lack of a better word, more Western institutions but most Aboriginal youth in Canada attend off-reserve high schools and colleges so the issue is worth investigating.

An article by Tracy King from the University of Toronto takes a critical look at the issue in her article “Fostering Aboriginal Leadership: Increasing Enrolment and Completion Rates in Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions” published in 2008.  The article can be found here with a library link here.

The article does a good job of contrasting Aboriginal vs Western leadership, the role of government and their impact on the educational system for Aboriginal youth in Canada.  Beyond this, the article offers a number of options and strategies to increase completion rates at the post secondary level.  King concludes that the key to improving this scenario is a hollistic approach and a collaborative strategy involving educational leaders and decision-makers at all levels.