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. \u00a0It was interesting to sit and listen with that bit of a bias that comes with the information we have learned throughout the course. \u00a0The speakers were great, and they provided some resources to support teachers. \u00a0What was most interesting was the questions asked by my teaching peers – so different than the questions I was walking in with. \u00a0I 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.<\/p>\n
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. \u00a0One was Education is Our Buffalo<\/a>, which is a resources for teaching, lesson planning, and finding resources for educating FNMI students. \u00a0There is an easy to understand and clearly described history of Canadian Aboriginal culture, describing colonialism, First Nations treaties, M\u00e9tis\u00a0accords, and Inuit land claims. \u00a0There is also an emphasis on important definitions in order to create a common vocabulary. \u00a0This resource also provides information about Aboriginal spirituality and teachings, the legacy of residential schools, curriculum, cultural traditions, and recognition of First Nations, M\u00e9tis, and Inuit achievements.<\/p>\n