learning – ETEC 521: Indigeneity, Technology and Education (Sep 2012)

Aboriginal Teaching and Learning Values

This article is part of an Ontario government education series focused on putting Research into Practice. Toulouse’s article provides an overview of core aboriginal teachings and values. I found this article applicable because it is attempting to bridge the divide between non-indigenous teachers and Indigenous students. Dr. Toulouse is an Anishinabek woman from the community of Sagamok First Nation and in the article she shares the “living teachings” of the Ojibwe people. The article describes the teachings of respect, love, bravery, wisdom, humility, honesty, truth and what they imply for education, how educators can incorporate them in their classes, and how schools can honour them. Toulouse also identifies the following Aboriginal learning styles:

Collaboration
Reflection
Visualization
Holistic

Toulouse reminds us that Aboriginal student success is contingent on self-esteem, and teachers respecting Aboriginal culture, language, and worldview. This article is a quick read, has multiple visuals, and quick tidbits of information to give interested teachers an introduction into understanding, respecting, and teaching Indigenous students.

Camille

Toulouse, P. (2008). Integrating aboriginal teaching and values into the classroom. What works? Research into practice. Retrieved from http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/Toulouse.pdf

Weblog #2: Post #2

Four Directions Teaching

Indigenous language and culture is at risk of being lost, and non-aboriginal society “generally fails to see why aboriginal cultural revitalization matters, at best supporting aboriginal approaches superficially, and valuing success only as defined from non-aboriginal views.”

Four Directions brings together elders and traditional teachers representing the Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Mi’kmaq. Together, they share teachings about their history and culture. The site uses animated graphics to visualize each of the oral teachings. The site provides biographies, transcripts, and learning resources.

Four Directions – English Version
http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/main.html

Four Directions and the Full Circle Project of Toronto works to address how indigenous knowledge can be shared with urban youth in a respectful manner.

The Full Circle Project PDF Includes:

1. Vision (Roots)
2. Elements (Sap)
3. Foundations (Tree Core)
4. Secondary Structure (Outer Bark)
5. Natural Development (Branches)
6. Human Gifts (Leaves)
7. Measurement (Seeds)

“It is not important to preserve our traditions, it is important to allow our traditions
to preserve us.”
~ Gael High Pine, “The Great Spirit in the Modern World,” Akwesasne Notes, 1973