Partnership Initiatives

Aboriginal Cultural Awareness
Module 4: Blog #3
Website: http://www.aboriginalawareness.ca/default.php

The Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Online (ACAO) is a joint effort between three partnership groups, Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Milbrook Technologies and it is endorsed by the Assembly of First Nations. I have examined all three of these sites in the blog postings. The site is a silo for the sale of cultural awareness material that is tailored for a variety of sectors, including the workplace,K-12 education, and specific First Nations Territories. The central idea focuses on educating non-Indigenous populations about how to respect fully interact with them, in conjunction with addressing various misconceptions about First Nations communities.

The ACAO is an example of how the internet can bring together different interest ot develop a joint site that promotes all their interests. Also, this directly relates to the important role of establishing a cultural awareness within non-Indigenous communities about the living impact of colonization, by removing the negative lens placed on First Nations communities. I believe, this is directly related to the topic in my project, as a Indigenous initiative to proactively take control of their cultural identity by educating non-Indigenous peoples.

The only three links found within this site are the ones that endorsed it and set it up a website to sell products that proactively address cultural awareness in non-Indigenous communities.

Millbrook Technologies
www.millbrooktechnologies.com
Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc.
www.ildii.ca
Assemblyof First Nations
www.afn.ca

Private Business

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Millbrook Technologies
Module 4: Blog #2
Website: http://www.millbrooktechnologies.com/AboutUs.php

Millbrook Technologies (MT) is a IT company owned by the Milbrook First Nations in Nova Scotia, that work with other First Nations across Canada in supporting community initiatives. There is a IT service in all aspects of a competitive company, that helps identify and control delivery of content online. They are also partnered with the Assembly of First Nation, Indigenous Leadership Development Institute to promote cultural awareness in First Nations Communities. I would consider this a private sector company, as it needs to generated sales to stay afloat. As a First Nations Company they specialize in working with partners on Federal Crown Projects, thus promoting Indigenous identity and ownership. Also, they initiate online training, such as Aboriginal Cultural Awareness (as discussed in Module 4 Blog 3) for non-Indigenous populations.

Although, MT is not directly related to my project it does resonate with the concept of the Module 4 theme of cultural responsiveness. As I read through the MT site, the idea of controlling content became a focal point. As MT is First Nations owned, but has to compete on a National market, it may be a preferred company as its interest lie in promoting cultural identity. I would further argue that, First Nations, such as the Nisga (the focus in my project), controlling the delivery of content online is central to promoting cultural identity. Furthermore, there is two sides to this promotion, internal or within First Nations Communities, and adjusting the lens of the non-Indigenous viewer.

As this site could be considered a private business, I found no external links to partnership groups. The site is current and was set up in 2008.

Developing Leadership Skill

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The Indigenous Leadership Development Institute Inc.
Module 4: Blog #1
Website: http://www.ildii.ca/leadership-initiatives/

The Indigenous Leadership Development Institute (ILDI) is a non-profit volunteer organization that helps develop leadership abilities in Indigenous communities. The intent is to develop community leaders who will help prepare the communities for the challenges of the 21^st century. The ILDI is similar to a consulting firms as it works with education institutes, governments and the private sector that provide governance programs at a set cost for members in Canada and the United States

This site provides an insight into the use of the internet to address an issue of moving forward in the 21^st century as Indigenous communities take charge of their interests in a Global community. Also, I believe this site represents, as a non-profit site, an excellent initiative of steering the course in re-establishing cultural indemnity and language, as it prepare community leaders for the socio-political arena of the Nation State. The ILDI is not directly related to my project, on establishing cultural identity online, it does provide an insight into how the internet can be used to promote perceived deficiencies in Indigenous communities, and develop programs to reach isolated communities in Canada and the United States.

The ILDI has links to a variety of sites that promote the establishment and reconnection to cultural indemnity. The link I found on Aboriginal Women Leaders, highlights women’s leadership in communities, which is a proactive approach to developing a strong cultural identity in the community.link http://aboriginalwomenleaders.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

Module 4: The Tyee sharing stories

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When researching, I came across a series that Tyee contributor Katie Hyslop has written called Call of the Spirit: Ideas for Improving Aboriginal Education. She profiles six Aboriginal post-graduates, interviews them about their formative experiences, and asks them this common question: “How would you change post-secondary education to make it a more welcoming and viable option for Aboriginal people?”

It is fascinating to read these peoples’ open, frank stories as they synthesize for readers how they arrived at where they are. This Tyee series seems to be another modern way in which different types of stories can reach an audience.

Shawn A-in-chut Atleo (National Chief of Assembly of First Nations)

I also included this graphic from the first profile with Shawn Atleo – a staggering look at, among other topics, the disparity between aboriginal youth and other Canadians. Before starting this course, I had no idea the graduation rates were so different, and it is a fact that I will not forget.

Module 4: BBC story on ruling for Aboriginal lands

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BBC: Mining firm desecrated Australia Aboriginal site

I thought I would include this BBC story that aired today about a landmark ruling in Australia where a mining company called OM Manganese was warned years ago (2011) that they were beginning to damage sacred Aboriginal land, and is held up to financial penalty for causing further destruction.

Here is a brief excerpt:

“Kunapa community representative Gina Smith said: “It will always remain a sacred site to us, but it has been ruined and we don’t know what to do because this has never happened to the old people.

“It has been there for thousands of years as part of our culture and our story.”

Indigenous Australians believe the land is the mother of creation, and is a living, breathing mass full of secrets and wisdom.”

When I read the article, I thought about discussions we have had in our course about the responsibility of younger generations of indigenous peoples to protect and advocate for their cultural heritage, and I felt this when I read the reference to the fact that ‘this has never happened to the old people.’ Also, as I work on my paper, I am reminded in this case that storytelling is so intimately linked to the land, and how difficult a time modern technologies have in trying to move such a naturally situated process into the digital realm.

Digital Literacy – Mod 4, Post 4

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In my limited work with FNMI youth, I have found a strength that I believe needs to be promoted – and that is their digital literacy.

However, we as educators often question our own digital literacy. As educators, we could use this rubric created by George Couros in which to evaluate our digital literacy and technology integration

Alternatively we could use the ISTE Nets Standards

However, the recent Mozilla’s Competency Based Web Literacy Standard could also be examined.

When thinking about “indigenous knowledge” where does the digital literacy piece fit in? I’m thinking that it is just as important as provincial learning outcomes and cross- cultural standards.

Based on the Ginsberg reading and Tim Michael video this week – it is apparent that there are pros and cons to integrating digital opportunities. If we examine some of the models on this page – could digital literacy be as important? What competencies or framework would be focused upon and why?

Verena 🙂

Module 4- Post 4: THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE AMERICAS website

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http://www.educationcaribbean.com/resources/encyclopaedia/history/history01.asp

There is a wide world of indigenous people around me and they have used the web to inform my ignorance of the fact. An example of this is the indigenous people THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE AMERICAS web site . Below are some useful articles that are found here.

The Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Arawaks/Tainos
The Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Caribs/Kalinagos
The Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Aztecs
The Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Incas
The Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: Mayans

What really caught my attention here are not these but the fact that website is owned by the Neal & Massy group a very successful local business conglomerate that expanded throughout the Caribbean. Which show that corporate Caribbean is aware of our indigenous heritage. On a sour note the site has not been updated since 2006 so some of the links do not work. Tragically these all had to do with education with such topics as lesson plans. However those that do are still good.

Impact of Residential Schools – Weblog 4 – 5

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The Impact of Residential Schools

http://zone.biblio.laurentian.ca/dspace/bitstream/10219/382/1/NSWJ-V7-art2-p33-62.PDF

The article was found through a search, but comes from the Native Social Work Journal, volume 7. Ideally, what the article outlines is the idea that residential schools not only impacted those who went to the schools, but generation after generation following those survivors. It discusses the sordid history of colonialism.

It is interesting to note, the author, Cheryl Partridge discusses the traditional learning styles of Aboriginal peoples using the medicine wheel. She then discusses the history of residential schools following the Davin Report of 1879. The idea that churches must run schools.

What I really found interesting was the description of self view from residential schools. Children were being taught that their way of life, their parents, everything about them was wrong and dirty. They were told their rituals would condemn them to hell.

She explains further that the punishment put upon these students impacted not only who they were, but the kinds of parents they would make. Think about that for a second, we know the damage done to victims of abuse, yet are surprised at the long reaching impact of residential schools. It is an interesting dichotomy between the impact of the schools and the subsequent impact by future generations.

I will probably use this article in my project to highlight that the ramifications of residential schools was not only on the survivors, but impacts generations and communities as well.

Honour the Apology – Weblog 4 – 4

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It’s Time to Honour the Apology

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Carleton+student+wants+residential+schools+documents+released/8712899/story.html

I chose this story because it is very recent (3-4 days ago). For those who haven’t followed it, I will recap it. A student at Carleton University, Geraldine King, has asked the government to release documents to the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission). She helped spearhead a protest on July 25^th, in Ottawa. The government has responded that they aren’t holding many documents and that some TRC searches have been irrelevant.

The TRC sees it differently. They have asked, repeatedly, for millions of documents the government is still holding onto. King, whose grandmother attended St. Joseph’s (not the one in William’s Lake), is still trying to get the release of documents. This follows closely on the revelation a few weeks ago on the nutrition experiments the government conducted on students in residential schools.

I am planning on using this, among some more recent stories, to showcase that the TRC was the only thing the government has done since the apology by Stephen Harper. This, coupled with Annett’s allegations from the ITCCS, may show the government has been dragging its feet, after all the promises in the apology.

Two Rows – Weblog 4 – 3

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Two Rows

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxnYrm2cHi0

Two Rows is a documentary by Freedom Central featuring Kevin Annett, who is an ordained minister and has been investigated residential schools and what he calls the “Holocaust of Native Peoples in Canada.” Annett is called Eagle Strong Voice by the Anishinabe Nation in Winnipeg.

Kevin Annett was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for his work on the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State (ITCCS).

Annett tells the story of his life in Pt. Alberni where he was first exposed to the troubling lifestyle following residential schools. He founded the ITCCS to bring to justice the people behind residential schools in Canada. He makes some broad claims about the government ‘buying silence’ through remuneration. Also he documents many of the students plight. He also tells about suspicious circumstances following some of the people he has worked with, uncovering the truth of residential schools.

I am not sure how much of this film I will use, however, there are lots of Annett videos online, which I will probably filter through. I chose this one because it was award winning and offers allegations of resistance from the government about finding out the truth about residential schools.