http://site.ebrary.com/lib/ubc/docDetail.action?docID=10385334

This link leads to the ebook “Synthesis Report of the Aboriginal Knowledge Learning Centre’s Literature Reviews: Responsive Educational Systems”, by Patricia Kovacs. It was funded by the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium and by the University of Saskatchewan.

The book is what the title implies – a literature review of “responsive” educational systems. It provides a collected resource for educators attempting to learn more about best practices in First Nations education, specifically ways to foster a spirit of learning rather than to force the typical educational mold. The synthesis is informed by consultation with elders and educators from regional First Nations groups, and appears to be an accurate source of information. The authors emphasize that the shared elements among FNMI cultures are different than mainstream culture, and the colonial legacy has created issues that cannot be ignored; they argue that it is “critical to understand this, to fully realize the barriers that hinder opportunities for FNMI learning” (7).  The book does more than to just review the literature, too: it provides information about indigenous learning philosophies and important tenets of indigenous cultures, as well as reviews of educational systems that have seen success, and recommendations for further improvement.