MET Course Weblog

I was beginning to notice that the same sites keep appearing which reminded me of when I was young and took a year off to travel around India and Malaysia. After so long on the road things start to look the same and I got to the stage where I became blasé and would write off places because at first glance they looked pretty much like the last place I stopped at. Surfing the net is a similar experience, maybe even worse as I know what I want and there is so much junk to wade through. I was about to reject this page, but I had to leave for a meeting and when I returned it was still open. I was about to close the page when I noticed that it had a link for an educational magazine which made me curious. I checked it out, expecting at any minute to be asked to pay and it didn’t happen. Finally I have found a site, with articles written by recognised educators, which appears to really address the issues I am interested in and which doesn’t want me to pay a day’s wage to see if it is relevant. At the moment most of the articles are in Spanish, but it looks as if they plan to have an English version soon.

Website

http://www.comie.org.mx/v1/sitio/portal.php

Magazine Article

http://www.comie.org.mx/v1/revista/portal.php?idm=en&sec=SC00

While I was continuing my search for something which could show that there is a technological infrastructure which could be used to benefit indigenous students, I came across this website. At first I thought it was just what I was looking for and I even downloaded the pdf file: http://www.telesecundariasoaxaca.com/FILES/teea/TEEA09li.pdf

 which talks about a new educational plan for my state. I was very disappointed to find that while it mentions indigenous education and the need for more teacher training, there are no specific plans about how to increase the educational opportunities for remote communities, solve the problems of which dialects should predominate in textbooks or improve the level of teachers of indigenous education. There was also no mention of what can be done to protect cultural divergence and this document seems to be promoting the predominance of education in Spanish rather than suggesting ways in which each community could study in its own language and with its own customs and traditions.

http://telesecundariasoaxaca.com/TEEA.html

Indigenous Research Applications in Social Work

http://www.aboriginalsocialwork.ca/research.pdf

This is an annotated bibliography that I found. The reason that I posted this is because it offers opinions and commentary on the research methods used in a large selection of books. Many of these books would be useful for out final research projects. There are roughly 20 books found in this bibliography including those that concentrate on proper research in Indigenous education, science and social work.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/09/16/mb-ottawa-body-bags-manitoba.html

Ottawa sends body bags to Manitoba reserves

This is a perfect example of not understanding and respecting other cultures. This whole incident could have been avoided with a minute amount of research and understanding of the cultures involved. At the beginning of the H1N1 scare the Canadian government made an improper and disrespectful mistake by sending body bags to First Nations reserves in northern Manitoba. The reason that I chose this article is that is shows what happens when one doesn’t conduct themselves in a manor appropriate to the culture that they are working with. It is considered to be inviting death to the community, which I assume is not necessarily the message that the government wanted to convey.

By not taking cultural beliefs in to account the government had a self created controversy. The communities were looking for help to fight this virus. These communities are among the hardest hit by this new ‘super flu’. They were looking for medication, not what the government sent to them. This is a prime example of why one needs to respect other cultures beliefs and act accordingly when working with them.

CMAJ

The ethics of research involving Canada’s Aboriginal populations

http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/172/8/977

This is a letter, published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) that discusses terminology. The author expresses her concern about the term Aboriginality in medical journals and studies.  “Aboriginality” is a social construct with little grounding in the day-to-day realities of the heterogeneous groups to which it refers. Tremendous cultural, historical, socioeconomic and political diversity exists between and within these groups.”

Another aspect of this article is that the author talks about the ways that academic research will have to evolve to create an appropriate relationship with Aboriginal communities. “I have come to understand that it is only through an approach of mutual understanding, respect and partnership that academic research will be able to contribute to improving the health outcomes in First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.”

I chose this letter because I fell that it relates strongly and offers a strong viewpoint towards the discussion of appropriate research in Aboriginal communities. This is an interesting viewpoint because it represents an opinion on research relating to medical studies.

First Nations Pedagogy

for Online Learning

http://firstnationspedagogy.com/portfolio.html

This is a efolio site for June Kaminski, BSN MSN PhD. June is currently a PhD Candidate in Curriculum Studies and Technology Education at the University of British Columbia. She is also a Metis

The site is built to raise awareness of First Nations pedagogy – the ways knowing, learning, and teaching inherent to the traditional methods of aboriginal education.

I was fascinated by the learning theories of this site. The resources lead me to exploring the pedagogy of the First nations. Although not completed it does offer a list of theories that I will explore more deeply. This site got me thinking about learning theories and how some Western theories, mainly constructivism is very similar to First Nation learning Theories. This site will prove useful for my paper.

It connects well with our reading in Module 3 Education Indigenous to Place: Western Science Meets Native Reality

I must admit I have felt a little discouraged in my web trek to find an unbiased opinion about the use of technology in Indigenous education. I came across the following site:

http://www1.lanic.utexas.edu/la/region/indigenous/

and there are a lot of links, but once more I found that there is very little information of the sort I am looking for. What I did find at: http://www.cdi.gob.mx/

was a link to a video: http://www.cdi.gob.mx/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=278

in which I found a mention of the boarding schools, which sound similar to the residential schools in Canada. The difference I suspect is that the children do not seem to be mistreated, however they are being taught in Spanish rather than their indigenous language, and so they are being gently persuaded to leave behind their language and customs so that they can fit in with the majority.

I began by searching for an indigenous website about the use of technology, as most of the sites I have found dealt only with the benefits of educators and governments points of view. I found this website (http://www.nativetech.org/) and to be honest I was discouraged as it seemed to be a commercial site. I was checking out its links when I came across the http://nativeweb.org/ which seems to be the mother site. I was impressed with the quality of the links especially (http://www.mns-firstnet.ca/) I got sidetracked from my research and in fact the information and video about the residential schools horrified me (http://www.mns-firstnet.ca/). I remember children being strapped, when I was about 7 years old, in my primary school and the terror it would cause us as we heard it happening. Our parents would always tell us they probably deserved it, but I never agreed and vowed that when I was a teacher no student would ever have reason to fear me.

http://films.nfb.ca/ourworld/
(Link found on the Educational Resources page of the National Film Board website: http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/education/)

The National Film Board of Canada has entered into partnerships with four First Nations communities to “give young First Nations people in remote BC/Yukon communities a chance to create web stories to tell the world about themselves, their home and their community.”

The Project Vision: “Our World is based on the concept of giving voice and inviting others to hear. The project aims to leave something behind that benefits both the individual and the community. By facilitating active communication and reception, we encourage positive social engagement. It is also about exposing young people to potential future career options by learning how to express themselves creatively with modern, digital media.”

The four current projects are:

1. Nuxalk Nation – Bella Coola, BC
   Stories: http://films.nfb.ca/ourworld/bellacoola/index.php
2. Teslin Tlingit Council – Teslin, Yukon
   Stories: http://films.nfb.ca/ourworld/teslin/index.php
3. DOXA – Connexions, BC
   Stories: http://films.nfb.ca/ourworld/connexions/index.php
4. GWES – Hazelton, BC
   Stories: http://films.nfb.ca/ourworld/hazelton/index.php

Each community has a great collection of digital stories (films, stories+audio) – all viewed so far have been narrated in a first language, with English subtitles.

David

http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginals

This website is devoted totally to aboriginal issues, including:

• land claims
• celebrations
• heritage
• facts & figures
• FAQs
• Native Affairs
• Disputes
• Leadership & models
• politics
• residential schools
• Native rights
• National Rewards

You may link to the Home Page or internal pages of the CBC Digital Archives Web site, but may not link directly to images or media clips, copy any of the material, or give the appearance that any of our content is a part of any other website. Most of the images, audio, video and text on this site is the property of CBC and Radio-Canada, or have been acquired with permission for use on this site.

This particular page archives.cbc.ca/for_teachers/525/called “Current Aboriginal Issues” has a webquest in the form of a pdf.

More Resources For Teachers – Educational activities

• All Grades – Going to a Residential School
• 6-8 – A Letter from School
• 9-10 – Residential School Diary
• 11-12Healing and Reconciliation
• 11-12 – Current Aboriginal Issues
• 11-12 – First Nations Reborn

Petate Productions

http://petate.com

Petate is a media production company that “provides multimedia support for non-profit organizations and communities that have the ideas and motivation, but don’t have the means!” Their focus is on Oaxacan indigenous culture as it experiences a mass migration from traditional territories in Mexico into the United States. The word Petate’s most common meaning in Mexico is a woven sleeping mat. Petate Productions attempts to weave the stories and culture of potentially lost voices.

Thinking of their perspective on “lost voices” I wonder if this company will be doing historical documentaries of a diminishing culture as globalization forces the Oaxacan people to migrate due to work. Is this an example of Smith’s places of resistance and hope or a place of memorial and loss? Looking at some of the videos and their abstracts it appears that it shows how people of the Oaxacan culture, people and places are changing due to changes brought on by globalization.

Indigenous Bar Association (IBA)

http://www.indigenousbar.ca/main_e.html

Looking again for resources on Indigenous community realities in Canada I came across the Indigenous Bar Association web site. I’ve taken the objectives of the association from their web site and added them below

1. To recognize and respect the spiritual basis of our Indigenous laws, customs and traditions.
2. To promote the advancement of legal and social justice for Indigenous peoples in Canada.
3. To promote the reform of policies and laws affecting Indigenous peoples in Canada.
4. To foster public awareness within the legal community, the Indigenous community and the general public in respect of legal and social issues of concern to Indigenous peoples in Canada.
5. In pursuance of the foregoing objects, to provide a forum and network amongst Indigenous lawyers: to provide for their continuing education in respect of developments in Indigenous law; to exchange information and experiences with respect to the application of Indigenous law; and to discuss Indigenous legal issues.
6. To do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects.

The IBA has a collection of excellent links pertaining to Indigenous peoples, their governments, law, and rulings relating to Indigenous people in Canada as well as the US, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. There are research and policy links as well as other Indigenous organizations and news media.

Indigenous Community Volunteers

http://www.icv.com.au/

Looking for Indigenous community reality I came upon this Australian Not-for-Profit, Non-Governmental-Organization. ICV’s mission is to help build human capacity and community with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples in order to improve quality of life and inclusion within Australian Society.  ICV serves to link skilled volunteers and communities in need of their skills. Almost like a philanthropic workopolis but with great success stories about the projects they have helped to facilitate and the communities involved. ICV does not charge communities for any of the offered services and works with members of the community or “behind them” as the community sees fit. A guiding principle for ICV is that they do not do things “to” or “for” Aboriginal/Torres Straight Inlander communities, they work with them. Volunteers are provided with cultural workshops by ICV before taking part in any projects as well.

A very interesting group which obviously has had some significant success building human and community capacity. I wonder if there is anything similar in Canada?

Indigenous Cultures of Peru

http://www.apulaya.com

Apulaya describes itself as the “Center for Andean Culture” and offers courses in music, art, workshops in Andean anthropology, and cultural vacation opportunities. This is a commercial venture aimed at a tourist audience and focuses on different aspects of Andean culture including religion, craft, people, places, and art. An interesting offering is the opportunity to create your own mini-documentary that will contribute to another documentary they title the “Tourist’s Myth and Reality.”(http://www.apulaya.com/en/camera-action-in-an-indigenous-community.php)

With a short session on Andean philosophy and a session on film making I am quite curious to see the results of this kind of “venture.” Will these tourists coming into a single community with limited understanding of anthropology or ethics with regards to anthropological studies benefit or hinder the community? This seems to me to be obviously more of a commercial than a cultural venture and I wounder whether this could possibly serve to further colonize an Indigenous people or does it offer another “space of resistance and hope” as Smith would suggest. I guess we will have to wait and watch for the documentary.

Smith, Linda, Introduction to Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples, London: Zed Books Ltd, 1-18

Indigenous Media Institute (IMI)

http://www.indigenousmediainstitute.org

I was curious about schools or programs specifically focusing on developing media programs for Aboriginal/Indigenous youth. I found this recent program (earliest intake of students was July 2009 and currently accepting for January 2010). It is a six month program designed to get students into an entry level graphic design position. Is is currently listed as a private post secondary but at the moment is not accepting tuition, only students paid for by the Province of Alberta or the Government of Canada.

They are located in Edmonton, Alberta and has been created with a curriculum partnership with GURU Digital Arts College and currently offers their curriculum as a starting point and is working on expanding their own curriculum. Our school district has found great success in partnerships in trades and technology with local colleges and this may be another area to look at. Northern Lights College had spoken about a media dual credit opportunity but was delayed due to some reorganization. Perhaps a renewed focus on an Indigenous media program may help restart the discussion!

Indigenous Knowledge – IK Notes from the World Bank

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/EXTINDKNOWLEDGE/0,,contentMDK:20663953~menuPK:1693277~pagePK:64168445~piPK:64168309~theSitePK:825547,00.html

The World Bank shares these IK notes that details development challenges and solutions found using indigenous knowledge. It is updated monthly and available by email however when I’ve tried to sign up it does take me to a page regarding Afghanistan. Still looking around for that proper link.

IK notes started in 1998 and have a monthly IK note until the end of 2006. The IK Notes feature an in-depth look at the developmental initiative and how the application of local/indigenous knowledge has lead to solutions that improved the quality of life in the target community.

Aboriginal Ethics Guide Ethical Research

Description & Relevancy

This is a short piece by Marlene Brant Castellano who is involved with an Interagency Panel on Research Ethics. They are currently developing new information that will add to the growing body of literature on the ethics of research with First Nations research subjects and situations. This new perspective and consideration into research ethics includes the perspective that Indigenous traditional values and beliefs add to the overall understanding of ethics. The result is that their work considers ideas such as the following traditional virtues into the ethical guidelines for research:

• Kindness implies respect for the dignity of the others involved, not dominating or pressing our own agenda at the others’ expense
• Honesty involves communicating our principles and intentions as the basis for relationship and ensuring free, informed consent for actions taken
• Sharing recognizes that the common good requires give and take by all, with respect for the different gifts that each party brings
• Strength is courage to stand firm for our principles; in some cases, strength is resilience, as in the capacity to bend to circumstance while holding on to important values

Links

http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/aboriginal-people/alt/2

CIHR guidelines for health research

National Aboriginal Health Organization Journal of Aboriginal Health (article)

First Nations Voice (On-line News and Media Center)

In Partnership with the Winnipeg Free Press

Description & Relevancy

One of the strong themes that run through the course and this module in particular is the need for First Nations people and communities to tell their own stories. To get an authentic and accurate understanding of issues related to First Nations people research on any level via print, film, print-news, radio broadcasts and other forms of media must be conducted through a First Nations perspective. This news publication was conceived to achieve such a goal and to act as a means to educate First Nations people themselves and the general public from a First Nations Perspective.

Links

http://www.firstnationsvoice.com/

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/