Author: Sophie Rosso

Module 4 Entry #5

A wonderful project between the Nuu-chah-nulth tribal council and Department of Canadian Heritage through Canadian Culture Online. Links to culture and language as well as a pull down menu which discusses items such as Information Technology and Infant Development. It’s incredible and uses Quick Time technology. All sections of the site have sound files done in English and the Nuu-chah-nulth language as well as an option for French language. Definitely worth taking a look at.

Tags cultural survival, ICT, language revitalization, Module 4, technology

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Module 4 Entry #4

Linking Oral Tradition with Science

An interesting website brought to my attention by a colleague when I mentioned what I was working on for my analytical paper. He actually stumbled on it while cruising the OceanLine site itself. We are always looking for material that includes a First Nations perspective. We share all math and science material that we encounter at our monthly meetings. Not all of it is appropriate or accurate but we strive to uncover as much quality material as we can collectively.

It was definitely an interesting read and the links to OceanLink andthe Things to Consider were excellent. Things to Consider will be on the agenda for the next math/science meeting. TEK is discussed at length.

Tags education, First Nations Education, Module 4, TEK

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Module 4 Entry #3

Glen Aikenhead’s Web Page

Glen Aikenhead is currently teaching at the University of Saskatchwan. I have used his articles and research in no less than three of my MET courses. There is a wealth of inforation linked to this web page including most of his articles. His research deals mostly with cross cultural science teaching. For example Indigenous Knowledge and Science Revisited.

Module 4 Entry #2

Math needs to listen to other cultures

I think the title of this article says it all. Although this is not a ‘living’ webpage I really believe that this article is a must read for educators. Whether a math teacher or not, the idea of the social responsibility factor in education is appealing. “Ethnomathematics’: I love it. Another example of what traditional scientific knowledge has to offer the western view.

Tags ethics, First Nations Education, Module 4, research, science

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Module 4 Entry #1

Indigenous Science Network

I came across this site while working with my math team on the implementation of new curriculum. We were looking for links to include in a resources list for indigenous math and science.

The site includes links to news, research articles, conferences and calendar of events. What drew us to the page was the indigenous science link.

Tags Australia, Culture, First Nations Education, indigenous knowledge, Module 4

Module 3 Entry #5

White House Blog

Today was the White House Tribal Nations Conference. The link I have provided is actually the White House blog which includes transcripts of President Obama’s opening remarks at the conference. Today he signed a memorandum indicating that there would be stronger ties between 564 federally recognized tribes and the White House. I’m not sure if this is simply more lip service to the indigenous people of the US but I found it very interesting that President Obama has directed each and every government agency to have a detailed plan of how they intend to improve meaningful consultation and collaboration between the federal government and the Indian nations. I guess we wait and see.

Links include live streaming to interactive discussions with Obama, tribal leaders and agency officials.

Tags collaboration, communication, government, Module 3, US

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Module 3 Entry #4

MyTribeTV

A website I came across while researching The White House Tribal Nations Conference. This site is a 24-7 news and communication tools for First Nations people. Links include:

Rezreels : a link which allows people to share their story digitally. Their focus is on Indian youth and getting their story out using modern film making tools. This initiative is a joint effort between MyTribeTV and the US Interior’s Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development.

MyTribe Education: a partnership again with US IOIEED to create opportunities for distance education fo Indian people

Tags aboriginal media, ICT, Internet indigeneity, mod 3, Module 3

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Module 3 Entry #3

The March Point Video reminded me of a CBC documentary I watched some time ago about the Arctic Bay Video Club and the Youtube hit Don’t Call Me Eskimo There are a great deal of similarities between the two projects. The link I have provided here is not only the video but part one of the CBC documentary that aired back in 2007. It brings to light some of the issues faced by aboriginl youth in the north and highlights the success of the Arctic Bay Video Club. I liked this project because it deals with Canadian youth.

Tags Aboriginal achievement, aboriginal media, education, film, Module 3

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Module 3 Entry #2

What I Learned In Class Today

This is a website based on a project developed by the First Nations Studies Program at UBC. I found this site fascinating. Students, instructors and adminstrators (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) at UBC were interviewed about their most memorable classroom experience.

The 20 minute video is well done and speaks to many of the issues Aboriginal students face in the classsroom. For some reason I was expecting the memories to be more childhood related. This was a very interesting perspective.

Along with the video the site includes discussion topics, workshop resources as well as background information on the project. An excellent resource for educators.

Tags aboriginal education, education, Module 3

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Module 2 Entry #5

Creative Spirits

I came across this site linked to an actual Australian government website. I cruised through quite a bit of it before I actually worked my way back to the homepage. It was only then that I realized that this was a blog created by a non-Aboriginal. The following quote from the author really jumped out at me:

“I present Aboriginal culture in Australia from a different angle. While you can find many texts by white authors I like to involve Aboriginal authors, Aboriginal resources and even Aboriginal people themselves as much as possible.”

I’m quite confident that I would have noticed this statement in the past but after reading chapter four of the textbook and participating in the discussion threads I have to say I take issue with this. I’m curious to hear if others feel the same way.

Tags Aboriginal, Australia, blog, Module 2

Module 2 Entry #1

Media Awareness Network

This is the site of a non profit organization dedicated to promoting digital and media literacy through education and awareness programs. Their goal is to have both adults and young people understand how media works. The site has information and resources for teachers as well as parents. There are over 200 lessons available for free for educators.

Specific issues covered at this site include:

Media Violence

Media Stereotyping

Online Hate

Media and Canadian Cultural Policies

Of particular interest is the ongoing, longitudinal study started in 2000 which is tracking and investigating the behaviors, attitudes and opinions of Canadian youth with respect to their use of the

I just noticed that Al has also used this site. It obviously has much to offer and warrants some viewing by others in the class.

Tags aboriginal media, education, film, mainstream media, Module 2

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Weblog 2 Entry #4

Samson and Delilah an Australian film by Aboriginal director Warwick Thornton. I wanted to link this site as I have heard Thornton interviewed before. This film was nominated for an Academy Award in the Foreign Film category. Although it first appears as a basic trailer site as for any other movie I believe the links included make it worthy of a look. There is an interview where Thornton describes how the movie is based on real life experience and where he urges Australian to practice random acts of kindness.

`Cinema is performance, that`s how us blackfellas have connected with it. It`s where we come from, with our storytelling. A lot of dreaming stories are about moral stories and news and teaching….that`s the way indigenous filmmakers are thinking.`Warwick Thornton.

Tags Aboriginal achievement, Australia, Culture, film, Module 2

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Weblog 2 Entry #3

Blue Corn Comics

I stumbled upon this site when looking for some material for a class which was actually created by Native Americans. This is a jumping off point for several different publications such as Peace Party (A Multicultural graphic novel featuring Native Americans) and Newspaper Rock ( A blog which describes itself as a place where Native American meets pop culture.

Weblog 2 Entry #2

ImagineNative

I came across this site after listening to a program on CBC Radio One Saskatchewan. They were interviewing Aboriginal film makers and discussing stereotyping of Indigenous People. It was a very interesting interview to say the least and I have tried in vain to find an archive of the interview itself.

In a nutshell the film maker interviewed felt that by having films created by Aboriginals the stereotyping could be alleviated and more accurate portrayals of Aboriginal would find their way into the mainstream film industry. This site celebrates the diversity of Indigenous Peoples around the globe and serves as a place for industry insiders to network and celebrate the vitality and excellence of Indigenous art and culture in comtemporary media

Tags film stereotyping, Module 2

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Module 1 Entry #5

Turtle Island News

Celebrating 15 years the Turtle Island News is a 100% First Nations owned newspaper available online. This newspaper covers First Nations and Aboriginal issues throughout North America. I believe this to be an important educational resource. Turtle Island News is but one example of First Nations creating their own media network. Mainstream media has vigorously sterotyped aboriginals in print and images. Many of these stereotypes have lived on despite a general public that should know better. The Turtle Island News is an example of a successful effort of Aboriginal owned and created media.

Tags aboriginal media, Module 1

Module 1 Entry #4

First Nations University of Canada

First Nations University of Canada (2003) was formerly known as the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College which was founded in 1976. The university boasts programs which are designed to specifically address the needs of Aboriginal communities. Programs at the university include: Indian Communication Arts, School of Indian Social Work, Indian Fine Arts, Intercultural Leadership Program, Department of Indigenous Education, a multitude of programs related to the health sciences and many more.

The FNUC allows students of all nations to learn in an environment of First Nations cultures and values.Their mission statement ” To enhance the quality of life, and to preserve, protect and interpret the history, language, culture and artistic heritage of First Nations.”

Links

First Nations Veterans Memorial

Tags Aboriginal achievement, aboriginal education, cultural survival, education, First Nations Education, Module 1

Module 1 Entry #3

Native Studies 20

This webpage was create by a fellow Native Studies teacher in Saskatchewan. She developed this site around the Sask curriculum (which has since been revised) and shared with her colleagues. I used this site a tremendous amount as we did not have access to a text. Although I am not teaching Native Studies this year I have passed on this site to many teachers who teach social studies. It is a fantastic resource for teaching Treaties and Global Indigenous Issues. I found it an excellent way to show students the similarities and differences in treaty experiences around the globe.

Unit One: Introduction

Unit Two: Self Determination and Self Government

Unit Three: Determinism

Unit Four: Social Justice

Tags history, Module 1, self-determination, treaty, world indigenous studies

Module #1 Weblog Entry #2

Post author By Sophie Rosso
Post date September 20, 2009
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Mission Voices Website

Mission Voices Website is a project funded by the Australian Broadcasting Company and involves the Koorie Heritage Trust and the State Library of Victoria. The premise of the site is to document the history of six Aboriginal missions and reserves in Victoria, Australia. This is a unique historical account as it includes the voices of the Koorie elders who recount their memories of mission and reservation life. It is a moving experience which adds a new dimension to the study of history.

Included in the site are collaborative activities for both middle years and high school students. The goal of the activities seems to be to promote the idea of how Aboriginal missions and reserves have shaped the lives of all Australians-past and present.

The site is very powerful. However, one downside is the navigation-it seems awkward and disjointed which is disappointing as this site offers much for educators.

Tags Australia, cultural survival, Culture, history, Module 1

Module 1 Weblog Entry # 1

Post author By Sophie Rosso
Post date September 20, 2009
No Comments on Module 1 Weblog Entry # 1

American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

Founded 30 years ago to address the problem of underrepresentation of the American Indian in the fields of science and engineering. They offer financial, academic and cultural support to American Indians interested in pursuing careers in science and engineering.

The site offers links to programs, scholarships and career opportunities. The AIESES membership includes students from high school through post graduate work. The site also includes a link to Member of the Month which I believe would serve as an effective source of positive role modelling and mentoring.

The AISES celebrates the accomplishments of the past 30 years and looks to the future. Now, more than ever, as we deal with issues of climate change, AISES believes that the global community stands to benefit from Native scientists and their traditional knowledge.

Tags education, Module 1, science, technology

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