Tag Archives: culture

Module 4 Weblog – Post #2 – Indigenous Waves

In searching for podcasts associated with Indigenous culture and education in Canada, I discovered a resource that originates from right here in my own city of Toronto. Indigenous Waves is a radio show, broadcast on CIUT 89.5 FM. The show’s website offers articles and podcasts organized by a range of categories relevant to Indigenous issues. One of the most recently posted podcasts is a discussion with Anishinabek Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee and author/educator Niigaanwewidan Sinclair regarding the First Nations Education Act, for which draft legislation was released in October.

The discussions in this podcast, like much of the media coverage at the time that the draft legislation was released, help to remind us of how the strategies of the federal government in Canada, even in 2013, are ultimately still openly controlling in their approaches. My participation in ETEC521 has instilled a type of hopefulness in me for the future of education in Canada in general, as well as Indigenous education. However, the reality of this draft legislation is sobering and discouraging. Resources like Indigenous Waves certainly help to keep this reality in focus.

Module #4-5: Indigenous Portal

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Indigenous Portal is a website that offers a broad array of resources such as articles, videos, and podcasts regarding Indigenous peoples from all over the world.

The Indigenous Portal is an outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), which was a pair of United Nations-sponsored conferences about information, communication, and the information society that took place in 2003 in Geneva and in 2005 in Tunis (it was coincidentally mentioned in Ginsberg’s article in week 12). One of its chief aims was to bridge the global digital divide separating rich countries from poor countries by spreading access to the Internet in the developing world.

In the Portal, articles and resources are divided up into a number of regions and categorized by various subjects (culture, education, technology, etc.). Not only can visitors search for documents by regions or topics, but anybody can submit content (press releases or other text articles) to the Portal once they create an account. These documents provide guidance to Indigenous peoples, non-governmental organizations, or academics who are interested in improving communications and the quality of life for Indigenous peoples around the world.

Module 4 – Post 2 – Bio-regional Education

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Ron Scollon’s Axe Handle Academy Paper brought to the forefront the importance of individuals learning about their environment and being aware of the details that comprise it. This interview with Larry Merculieff is a vivid example of how knowing your bio-region can bringing you closer to understanding yourself. This knowledge extends not only from geography, but the very plants and animals, their behaviors can bring upon an individual a profound sense of awareness. This interview is one of a series focusing on the thoughts of various community leaders and their view on knowledge and what it means in a First Nations context.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUI6tUCtY28

Module 4 Weblog – Post #1 – Traditional Languages – New Media

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The Our World website shares the results of a series of film making workshops that have been carried out in numerous First Nations communities in BC and Yukon. The project was originally a National Film Board initiative, but more recently has been supported by an organization known as Bite Size Media.

The stories found on this site are all examples of First Nations collaborating with elders to learn more about their language and culture. Most of the videos are narrated in a traditional language, and in some cases, share traditional stories, songs and dances. However, many of the pieces also share very poignant perspectives on the loss of culture and the film makers’ struggles to define their own identities. The site is organized according to the places in which the film making workshops have taken place. As such it provides a sense of the unique nature of each people and its youth as well as how these media pieces were received by the communities in which they were created.

One of the most notable things that I found about this site was the range of approaches and techniques chosen by the young people who created these digital stories. The videos are visually very diverse and have clear and distinct voices. Nonetheless, I found, they all result in a very similar and significant impact on the viewer.

Module 4 – Post 3 – Awchimo

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Awchimo is a website designed to teach children more about Metis heritage, culture, history, and the Metis language, Michif. In addition to the categories mentioned, the site is organized into click-able links including colouring, games, stories and recipes that are embedded in a fun, colourful picture. The site is easy to navigate and has many appealing activities for children, however the material presented does seem to be too complex for younger readers. The site provides a good amount of useful information for anyone wanting to have their children learn more about Metis culture in a fun and engaging environment.

Awchimo is located here: http://www.awchimo.ca/index.html

Module 4 – Post 4 – Native Canadian Centre

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Native Canadian Centre of Toronto

https://www.facebook.com/nativecentre

Just happened across this one day on facebook. A well developed page for this group out of Toronto. If you’re on facebook, like them today!

http://www.ncct.on.ca/

They also have a website. From the website:

The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is an Aboriginal community cultural centre. The Centre offers multiple programs including cultural education which I found very interesting as this centre is based in Toronto, urban area. Culture can be kept alive anywhere.

Here is a listing of available programs.

Aboriginal Education Outreach Program

The Aboriginal Education Outreach Program (AEOP) is an interactive project that has been set up to promote and foster a greater understanding of Native People in North America and their distinct cultures.

Aboriginal Circle of Life Services Program (ACOLS)

The Aboriginal Circle of Life Services Program is designed to provide a supportive environment for Aboriginal people residing in the Greater Toronto Area through the delivery of client centred services enabling them to live independently in their homes.

Cultural Program

The Cultural Program here at the Native Canadian Centre plays an important role in educating and providing services for the members of the centre.

Dodem Kanonhsa

DODEM KANONHSA’ Elder’s Cultural Facility is a learning and sharing facility which fosters greater acceptance, understanding and harmony between members of First Nations and Non-Aboriginal People.

Communications & Referral Office

The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto provides Information and Referral Services (C&R) that connect people in the community with service providers, information and/or linkage with other Aboriginal or Non-Aboriginal agencies.

Martial Arts Program

The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto is pleased to offer Okichitaw classes to members of the NCCT.

Toronto Native Community History Program and Bus Tour

The Toronto Native Community History Project (TNCHP) was founded in 1995 and our current work revolves around three key components: Popular Education, Resource Centre and Youth Involvement. We also offer tours of Toronto from the Aboriginal perspective.

Youth Program

We are currently seeking energetic youth from the Native and non-Native community to become involved in our activities. These activities include volleyball, basketball, hockey, and all kinds of other activities.

Module 4 – Post 2 – Living Traditions Living Lands

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Traditional Ecological Knowledge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2LsHHSDiWg

An excellent YouTube video on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). TEK promotes an Indigenous approach to environmental stewardship. It is the teachings of Elders as taught to them by their ancestors that is TEK. European settlers dictated how land was to be treated after their arrival. The TEK movement is to move towards a more ecologically friendly method of land usage.

Module 4 – Post 2 – The Metis Raconteur

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Susan Greig is a health care professional and storyteller who lives in the lower mainland of BC. Through her blog, “The Metis Raconteur” Susan shares her Metis heritage and culture with others. From the blog:

“Traditional Métis storytellers related family and community history, stories, lessons and customs around camp fires, or while going about daily activities such as sewing, harvesting berries, or hunting and fishing. Following in my ancestors footsteps I have been writing and telling stories since the fourth grade and my most cherished memories of storytelling are the narratives I would weave for my children at bed time each night. Blogging is also storytelling and this is where I plan to chronicle more of my family story and to share items and news about Métis culture, particularly anything to do with writing or the arts.”

While most of “The Metis Raconteur” site is dedicated to Metis current events and happenings, links are also provided to Metis associations from across Canada, other Metis bloggers, as well Susan’s paintings and published books. The site is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and provides god insight into Metis culture. I recommend browsing through when you have a chance – it’s worth a read.

The blog can be found here: http://metisraconteur.com/

Module 4. Post 1 – “IQ and Gaming”

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In order to reduce redundancy, I will refer you to my e-Portfolio where I posted a reflection relating to the Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Adventure website, specifically describing my experience(s) playing their interactive “movie”.

As I move towards building the final project, this “Adventure” website has given me new perspectives to build upon.

Mel Burgess

Module 3. Post 3 – A Change in Focus: Fort McKay

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I have been researching the peoples of Fort McKay recently as I believe that their struggle epitomizes the struggle of First Nations people. It is a story of loss of language, culture, and many traditional ways of living to the economies of our nation. Their story shows how treaty rights are being ignored and I am keen to learn how the indigenous residents of Fort McKay are using technology to combat the quiet oppression they face every day by mass corporate practices.

This video summarizes much of what the peoples of Fort McKay are up against. I will refocus my final project to highlight the issues surrounding the peoples of Fort McKay and how they are fighting back.

Mel Burgess.