For my final project I decided to look at how Modern Metis communities are using technology for Self-representation and Self-Determination. I provided a brief history of the Metis and their struggles as well as a current snap shop of the progress that the Metis have made and continue to make.
My Presentation is a Prezi titled: The Metis Looking Back, Moving Forward and it is viewable here: http://prezi.com/j0zgljcejwdb/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
For my final project I wanted to capture the struggles of the indigenous peoples of Fort McKay, Alberta while shining a light on one strategy often overlooked at engaging youth: videogames.
I believe that while there have been positive changes made to curriculum to become more culturally sensitive, there is still a long way to go. The environment of schooling needs to change, and one strategy which engages many youth, while immersing them in a different virtual landscapes, is gaming.
As First Nations people fight to retain their culture and traditions, we can’t ignore the impacts of white culture upon youth. Embracing technology, videogames could be one method to help draw in youth who struggle to be successful in western approaches to education. Dovetailing videogames with curricula focused on traditional and contemporary indigenous practices could help ensure that the next generation is sensitive to the challenges and pressures that dominant culture puts upon minority groups.
I hope you enjoy my documentary style movie. Due to it’s length (22 minutes) it is captured in two parts. Be sure to set the quality to high resolution to get the maximum experience from this viewing.
To view the full transcript of my movie, with complete set of references, click here.
Mel Burgess.
I wanted to challenge myself to do something creative for the final project. I wanted to create a project that dealt with fostering Aboriginal student success. When I started researching and looking into how I could tie it to technology I realized that technology itself had little to do with student success. It was the philosophy behind tying the student, community, and school together that leads to a positive environment for aboriginal students. My project begins with a statement exploring closing the digital divide for aboriginal students. I then created a video along with a presentation and a brochure with the idea that it could be something a school could learn from to create a change in approach toward helping Aboriginal students.
The University of Calgary has webpages that give basic information about First Nations history. This one has maps of Canada with different ways of dividing regions. It is interesting to see how the linguistic, regional, and First Nations maps differ and compare to one another.
This website is an interactive journey that gives information about five First Nations across Canada. The website says, “Four Directions Teachings celebrates Indigenous oral traditions by honoring the process of listening with intent as each elder or traditional teacher shares a teaching from their perspective on the richness and value of cultural traditions from their nation.” (http://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/transcripts.html) The site is student friendly and engaging. It could easily be used in the classroom to share information about First Nations peoples.
The Office of the Treaty Commissioner is an agency in Saskatchewan that is committed to treaty education. As part of the Treaty Essential Learnings curriculum that was put out in 2007, videos were created for teachers to use in the classroom. These videos give students an overview of the treaties that cover the province of Saskatchewan. They are useful for any teacher wanting to incorporate treaty teachings in their classroom.
The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation is the professional organization representing the teachers of Saskatchewan. This is the Classroom is blog created by the STF that discusses important issues that affect teachers in this province. First Nations and Metis issues are always at the forefront of our educational consciousness and this blog has put together some well written posts about the Treaty Essential Learnings and First Nations education. The posts are written by teachers, for teachers so they are easy to read and informative.
Max Fineday is the first indigenous president of the University of Saskatchewan’s Student Union. In an organization that is 106 years old and a province that has a 50% First Nations population, this has been a long time coming. The news is momentous enough to have landed in the New York Times.
In the article is a short discussion on Residential schools and colonization. Overall the article sets a positive tone and gives attention to the work that universities across Canada are doing to support Indigenous students.
