ETEC 521: Aboriginal Web Resources

Module 3: Entry 1

Alaska Native Knowledge Network (ANKN)

http://www.ankn.uaf.edu/index.html

The Alaska Native Knowledge Network (ANKN) is published by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The network is a portal for the accumulation and sharing of Alaskan Aboriginal intellectual property and ways of being. Included on their site is a list of publications pertaining to knowledge systems and ways of being that are available in the following formats: books, HTML, PDF, interactive CD, DVD’s, and posters. The ANKN publishes a seasonal newsletter entitled “Sharing our Pathways”; this publication is available for email subscription. Included on their site is a database of culturally based curriculum resources that are provided for teachers and students with the purpose of bridging Western and Alaskan native knowledge systems. Also provided on their website is a calendar of events, announcements, and site index. This site is a great medium for contributing to or acquiring Alaskan Native Knowledge information.

Module 2: Entry 5

The Aboriginal Multi-Media Society

http://www.ammsa.com/

The Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA) is an organization dedicated to the sharing of Aboriginal cultural information that includes news, information, and entertainment. AMMSA is a communications medium of Aboriginal content that also serves as a global model of Aboriginal communications. The AMMSA’s communication mediums includes: Windspeaker, CFWE-FM, Alberta Sweetgrass, Saskatchewan Sage, Raven’s Eye, and Ontario Birchbark. Windspeaker is a Canadian national news source that has been covering Aboriginal stories for 25 years. CFWE-FM is an Albertan radio station dedicated to Aboriginal voice. Alberta Sweetgrass, Saskatchewan Sage, Raven’s Eye, and Ontario Birchbark are provincial Aboriginal newspaper publications. AMMSA’s website provides links and information about all of their endeavours and also includes links to marketing, advertising, subscriptions, merchandise, health information, career opportunities, community events, scholarships, festivals, a calendar and additional external Aboriginal links.

Module 2: Entry 4

British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

http://www.bcaafc.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/

The British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres is located in Victoria, BC and is an umbrella association for 24 different Aboriginal friendship centres throughout BC. Their mandate includes betterment of friendship centres, establishing and maintaining communication between and among friendship centres, acting as a unifying body for friendship centres, and as an advisor to the government on programming that may assist the centres. This mandate has an ultimate purpose of bettering the lives of Aboriginal peoples. The site is comprehensive and includes sections about the association, other centres, initiatives, news & events, programs, resources, career opportunities, links and contact information.

Module 2: Entry 3

First Nations Pedagogy

http://firstnationspedagogy.com/links.html

First Nations Pedagogy is a site authored by June Kaminski, BSN MSN PhD(c) who is a Métis woman from Anishinabe and European bloodlines. The purpose of this site is to increase awareness of First Nations pedagogy (i.e., curriculum, education, Aboriginal ways of knowing and being) to assist professionals in the development of appropriate plans for Aboriginal people.

June’s site is divided into several sections that are briefly outlined in a sitemap. A portfolio section contains work completed by June Kaminski that is related to her site’s purpose; she also offers services in pedagogy & curriculum development, health & well-being planning, technology and informatics technology, and graphics and web development. A section entitled Theory is under development but is dedicated to the principles regarding First Nations pedagogy, education and way of life. June includes biographical information and the site’s mission, goals, and vision. This site includes a section called Curriculum that is also under development, but will contain information about self-governed educational planning, incorporation of First Nations pedagogy, e-learning curriculum development, and virtual health education development. June also includes contact information and a section of links to online resources dedicated to furthering knowledge of aboriginal ways of knowing and learning.

Module 2: Entry 2

First People’s Cultural Foundation: Generating Support for Aboriginal Languages

http://www.fpcf.ca/index.html

The First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation is an organization based in British Columbia that has a mandate of raising awareness and funding for Aboriginal language revitalization. This organization is a public, non-political charity that works in conjunction with their sister organization, the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council. Their site provides information about the organization’s mission, how to donate money and a link to First Voices Language Archives. First Voices is a web application where First Nations groups can archive their language in the form of an alphabet, dictionary, and phrase book. The alphabet, dictionary, and phrase books contain translations, sound files, text, image, and video files that support language learning. There is a link to First Voices website where you can obtain more information about this application.

Module 2: Entry 1

Aboriginal Education Enhancements Branch – BC Ministry of Education

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/abed/

The Aboriginal Education Enhancements Branch of the BC Ministry of Education is an organization dedicated to the success of Aboriginal students, and to the enhancement of Aboriginal voice, language, culture, history, and overall satisfaction within the British Columbia public school system. This site has links to enhancement agreements that have been signed with various school districts in BC. These agreements are designed to implement the organization’s goals within BC school Districts. There are links to current agreements, elements of an enhancement agreement, and an enhancement agreement brochure. This site also has links to a First Nation’s map of BC where you can order copies, and to a photo album of various school districts who have signed enhancement agreements. As this is a branch of the BC Ministry of Education there is also a link to the ministry’s homepage.

Module 1: Entry 5

BC Treaty Commission

http://www.bctreaty.net/index.php

British Columbia has a large number of aboriginal nations and bands that have yet to agree to a treaty settlement. The BC Treaty Commission is a neutral, independent body that is funded in part by the government of Canada (60%) and the province of BC (40%). The commission is responsible for facilitating treaty negotiations with BC’s aboriginal nations and bands. The website provides a good overview of the commission’s mandate, the negotiation process, issues inherent in negotiation, past & present negotiations, educational resources, and archives. This website is a great source of information to stay informed and current on BC’s treaty negotiations.

Module 1: Entry 4

Assembly of First Nations

http://www.afn.ca/

The Assembly of First Nations came to fruition through a long road of aboriginal self-determination in Canada. With a mandate of serving Canadian aboriginals rightful place in society the assembly’s importance and relevance is without question. This site serves as a portal for the assembly and includes many important facets within.

There are several main sections within the site and these are: About AFN, AFN Assemblies, Resolutions, Policy Areas, AFN Event Calendar, Links, and Contacts. About AFN provides a historical account of the development of the assembly, its structure, and information about the members. AFN Assemblies includes a media centre, upcoming events, current issues, publications, employment opportunities, and programs and subjects. Resolutions is a database collection from 1999-2007 accessible with a search engine. Policy Areas includes current activities in AFN Women’s Council, education, youth, housing & finance, languages, residential schools, etc. The updated events calendar, links and contacts enable a user to stay updated, informed, and linked to resources and people within AFN.

Module 1: Entry 2

LanguageGeek Fonts

Author: Christopher Harvey

http://www.languagegeek.com/font/fontdownload.html

For those who may want traditional language fonts available on their computer, Languagegeek.com provides free downloads of fonts from common aboriginal languages in North America. The fonts include Algonquian, Inuktitut, Cherokee, Dakelh, Blackfoot syllabics, and Dene syllabics. The fonts are Unicode friendly which is the universal standard.

From Languagegeek.com’s home page you can also access Languagegeek keyboards, Canadian provincial language maps (except BC and the territories), and information on typography and syllabics. Christopher Harvey includes links to other sites, a bibliography, and information about himself.

Module 1: Entry 3

Connecting Traditions: Explore Secwepemc Pre-contact Life

http://secwepemc.sd73.bc.ca/

For those interested in learning about pre-contact life of the Secwepemc people, this is a great site to begin your search. The site is divided into five modules: introduction, language, origin story, village life, and archaeology.

The introduction provides information on where the nation is located, who the people are, and a tour of the various communities (bands) of the Secwepemc nation. The language module includes history, audio pronunciation of words, and writing & alphabet tutorials. The origin story module includes information about the Secwepemc creation belief system, the legendary coyote (with audio recording of a Secwepemc person), and a game you can play (The Great Traveller Game). The village life module includes an interactive traditional winter and summer scene. You can click on various parts of the seasonal maps to learn about cultural practices and activities. The archaeology module is comprehensive and provides a plethora of information about the Secwepemc nation.