Hello,

Article #20:

The following website link…..

http://www.ccl-cca.ca/CCL/Reports/RedefiningSuccessInAboriginalLearning/RedefiningSuccess.html

….is from the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL/CCA) website.

The page(s) contained within the link describe ‘success’ from an Aboriginal learning context. The site contains a few pages dedicated to Aboriginal learning, and these pages discuss the Holistic Lifelong Learning Model and its link to community and the environment.

An interesting point was brought up regarding the goals of education and learning for Aboriginal people. From an Aboriginal perspective, “….the purpose of learning is to honour and protect the earth and ensure long-term sustainability to life.” This goal of learning then alters the goal of a First Nations Library somewhat. I think with this Aboriginal learning goal in mind, libraries must work to be more community driven and have vast resources concerning local environmental issues. Without community strength and environmental issues being addressed, the purpose of a particular First Nations library may come into question.

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello,

 Article #19……

The following website…..

http://www.fnbc.info/fntc

…..is the site of First Nations BC: Technology Council. The site offers visitors glimpses into what’s happening within First Nations communities with respect to current technology use. The numerous tabs of the website include: Connectivity, Technical Support, Community Applications, Skill Development, etc. The nice thing about the site is that all of its resources and examples are provided as pdf & powerpoint links so the user has full access to past stories, presentations, and successes.  The website also features a “Youth Café” which gives youth a chance to see recent happenings and interact with other youth on the same topics and stories. It is this ‘interaction’ component of the site that would also be a benefit within a First Nations Library setting as a way to keep a youth-focused group cohesive, and thriving. Learning is becoming more of a social process and having that social interaction take place within a website or library would only help the learning process as a whole.

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello,

 Article #18….

This link is a story out of the Georgia Straight recently.

http://www.straight.com/article-254208/first-nations-kids-need-net

The article titled “First Nations students need Internet technology, advocates say” was written in 2009, by Stephen Hui. The author includes some great sources including one from “George Abbott, B.C.’s minister of aboriginal relations and reconciliation, told the Straight that it’s “very important” to bridge the digital divide facing First Nations. The Liberal MLA for Shuswap noted that the provincial government has invested $30.8 million in First Nations connectivity and digital-literacy programs in the past year.”

This quote does show that technology is also important to the government but what is missing is how this money is to be implemented to sensitively incorporate technology into First Nations culture. If some of this funding can make its way through to a First Nations library, then the funds could more appropriately be utilized in more useful ways. Acquiring ‘internet technology’ for First Nations students sounds like a great venture but the internet technology also needs to be harnessed by recent technology to be most effective. A First Nations Library could be a place that is known for its up-to-date technology where efficient internet connections are available.

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello,

Article #17….

This article titled “Strength-based Programming for First Nations Youth in Schools: Building Engagement Through Healthy Relationships and Leadership Skills” talks of the typical negative activities that plague First Nations youth and how giving these same youth opportunities for roles in leadership can break this negative re-occurring cycle. This discussed leadership role could potentially be created within a positive library environment. Youth could take on role model positions working within a First Nations library and promoting its use to their peers, elders, and those younger than them. With the right staff, a library could create a relaxed atmosphere for social interaction and establish a sort of ‘rec room’ or ‘rec centre’ feel where youth do not feel threatened or nervous to attend.

The article was also found on the UBC Library, ‘ebscohost’ page. The authors of this article are Claire Crooks, et al in April 2010.

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello,

Article #16, ……

I found the following article on Ebscohost titled ‘Ready, Willing, and Able: Prospects for Distance Learning in Canada’s First Nations Community” by author Cora Voyageur.

This article describes how First Nations people have currently been embracing technology and therefore equipped to participate within online courses. This notion has made me re-think the focus of my final paper. I am now leaning towards making a paper that describes what a contemporary First Nations library would resemble. The article further discusses both individual and community readiness for technology appreciation and again, the potential of online course participation. Once online courses are established, a First Nations library could help keep focus amongst students and provide a place for coursework to be completed.

The article can be found on the UBC Library ‘ebscohost’ search engine, and the link address is:

http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/ehost/detail?vid=6&hid=21&sid=41f6596b-c670-436b-9945-02ab0f240313%40sessionmgr15&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=eric&AN=EJ635399

Thanks.

-Regen

ETEC 521: Article #15…..

Hello,

The following website……

http://www.nald.ca/library/learning/firstnat/unit2.pdf

….provides a unit lesson plan satisfying BC Secondary school curriculum. This unit plan could potentially be used within a social studies 8-11 class.

The unit plan focuses on First Nations History and provides great learning opportunities for students to meet the units learning goals. The units learning goals are as follows:

1. Demonstrate improved reading and writing skills in researching and presenting information orally and in writing.

2. Display improved communication skills in conducting interviews and making speeches and presentations.

3. Recognize the value of the First Nations perspective in the learning process.

4. Recognize the value of oral history as well as written history.

5. Present their opinions and assessment of historic and current First Nations-white relations in British Columbia society.

6. Explain the connections between individual experiences of social problems and the collective experience of living in Canadian society.

These learning goals are great for this unit but also provide specific learning goals that could be incorporated into a First Nations Library that make it unique when compared to a common public library. Learning goals such as ‘presenting information orally’ and ‘recognize the value of oral history’ can be better supported within a library that has been specifically designed to benefit First Nations students.

Thanks.

-Regen

Post #14…..

Hello,

The following website….

http://firstnationspedagogy.ca/elders.html

….provides an online First Nations Pedagogy. The site discusses ‘elders’ and how First Nations learning is socially situated.

The website also offers a few videos of ‘Elders in Action’, showcasing elders within the community offering their wisdom and advice to other members of the community.

Again, my focus on my final paper continues to evolve. I think I want to now discuss the best possible components of a First Nations Library. Since learning takes place in a social, oral context then I think a library needs to reflect this in order to best capture learning.

Thanks.

-Regen

Article #13: What is an Elder?

The following link….

http://www2.brandonu.ca/library/CJNS/16.1/Stiegelbauer.pdf

….provides an article written by S.M. Stiegelbauer, of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Edcation, at the University of Toronto.

The article describes what an‘Elder’ is according to First Nations Culture. This description has great importance to my final research paper that will hopefully shed more light on First Nations Libraries and their uses.

This article is a follow up to my questions regarding how a First Nations Library should look, and what its useful components would be. I am beginning to think that a First Nations Library would not be the same as a Public Library because of different oral traditions and the way First Nations history is usually portrayed and preserved. I am also guessing that a First Nations Library would have much more in terms of Cultural representations and more visual, and artistic symbols of past events.

From the article, since an Elder is responsible for ‘teaching’ younger students, a First Nations Library should have ample space to accomplish these teachings and provide support for Elder’s to attend and share their knowledge.

Thanks.

-Regen

Module #3, Entry #12…..

Hello,

The following website is a directory of every First Nations Library within Canada.

http://library.usask.ca/native/directory/english/index.html

The website lists Libraries and Cultural Institutions that collect material related to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples within Canada. The website offers great tabs of information including location, collections, laguages, etc.

This website is quite interesting because it included information about ‘cultural institutions’ which I didn’t really think about prior to visiting this site. Some questions that have now arisen include:

Does a First Nations Library need to have the same components as a public library in order to be have the same educational benefits?

What are  the ideal components of a library for a First Nations users?

The answers to these questions will shape my research further into finding out how, or if at all, First Nations libraries differ from Public libraries.

Thanks.

-Regen

Entry #11…..

Hello,

http://www.olsn.ca/index.aspx?id=1434

The above link is a website that describes the funding and support it gives to sustaining First Nations Libraries within Northern Ontario. It’s nice to know that funding for First Nations libraries can come from a Provincial source and not totally dependent upon Lottery Gaming monies.

From the website…”The First Nations Library Service is a specially funded service of OLS-North. The main goal of the First Nations Library Service is to help First Nations, through special funding programs and consulting services, to establish and maintain public libraries. We provide special training and on-site consultation opportunities for First Nation Public Libraries in our service area.”

Thanks.

-Regen