I attended a PD session this week, in which Edmonton Public’s FNMI consultants were presenting about connecting with our students, their families, and our community. It was interesting to sit and listen with that bit of a bias that comes with the information we have learned throughout the course. The speakers were great, and they provided some resources to support teachers. What was most interesting was the questions asked by my teaching peers – so different than the questions I was walking in with. I was hoping that discussion could be focused around how we ensure that our resources, activities, and projects are reflective of all student’s backgrounds and needs, and I was thinking (with my final project at the front of my mind) about access to technology and how we can utilize technology to create a community and share our own personal stories.
Several great resources were shared that can act as a foundation as we reflect on our curriculum and change our teaching and communication practices for the better. One was Education is Our Buffalo, which is a resources for teaching, lesson planning, and finding resources for educating FNMI students. There is an easy to understand and clearly described history of Canadian Aboriginal culture, describing colonialism, First Nations treaties, Métis accords, and Inuit land claims. There is also an emphasis on important definitions in order to create a common vocabulary. This resource also provides information about Aboriginal spirituality and teachings, the legacy of residential schools, curriculum, cultural traditions, and recognition of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit achievements.
A second interesting resource was Reviews at EPSB, an site for educators that reviews resources for their appropriateness in the classroom. Books and resources are reviewed for their content, images, and theme. The collection of approved resources is maintained by the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Staff in Student Learning Services of EPSB. The resources are specifically created to encompass the diversity of communities and traditions in North America, and not only are resources reviewed for authenticity and validity, but it is important they connect with the Alberta curriculum. When possible, the review of the materials is a member of the culture represented in the book, to ensure that an expert makes the judgement. Unfortunately, the reviewed materials are only books and resources published after 2002. It is my hope that earlier resources will be reviewed as well. I think it is really important that not only does the site provide approved resources, but it actively encourages educators and librarians to thoughtfully cull book collections to ensure that content is respectful. Many resources are outdated and contain stereotypes, misinformation, cultural biases, and negative images and perspectives.