art House – Feb 6, 2017
Long before Drake nicknamed Toronto “The 6ix” some French explorers and a cartographer prone to typos borrowed from the Mohawk word “Tkaronto” to give the city its name. How “Tkaronto” came to be known as “Toronto” is a long, convoluted – and debated – story. But as Hart House’s new “Talking Walls” exhibit demonstrates, Indigenous languages have always played an important – yet unacknowledged – role in Canada.
https://www.utoronto.ca/news/if-walls-could-talk-u-t-s-hart-house-offers-lesson-anishinaabemowin
Why I’m Spending One Thousand Hours Learning My Indigenous Language
Vice – Feb 6, 2017
Residential schools robbed us of our language. To bring Squamish back from less than 10 fluent speakers, I’m immersing myself for eight months. Growing up, you can’t help but notice the absence of your language. I come from Tsileil-Waututh and Squamish nations. My elementary school was mostly white, with a few native students. I don’t remember learning history on our First Nations people. At the time I was more worried about being different from my classmates.
Aroland Students Exceed Fundraising Goal for Homeless Youth
Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal – Feb 6, 2017
BEGINNING in December 2016, the Grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 students at Johnny Therriault School located in Aroland First Nation first learned about the “Push for Change” Fundraising Campaign from OPP Constable Eric Corbin and NAPS Officer Trent Abernot. The “Push for Change” Awareness Campaign is a 517 day trek across Canada by Joe Roberts, a former homeless youth, to raise awareness and funds to end youth homelessness. Upon learning about this, the students at Johnny Therriault School were particularly interested and eager to fundraise for this national cause.
Toronto’s New First Nations School
TVO – Feb 2, 2017
The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Jonathan Kakegamic, principal of the First Nations Junior and Senior School of Toronto explains why indigenous students benefit when curriculum embraces their culture.
http://tvo.org/video/programs/the-agenda-with-steve-paikin/torontos-new-first-nations-school
Attawapiskat’s New Elementary School Forced to Temporarily Close
CBC – Feb 3, 2017
Water damage has forced the closure of Attawapiskat’s new elementary school and the issue is reportedly being caused by a sprinkler that broke about three weeks ago. The leak at the Kattawapiskak Elementary School lasted about 30 minutes and affected the main and second floors. Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus told Radio-Canada that repairs are being delayed because of a dispute between the insurer, the contractor and first nation management.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/attawapiskat-elementary-school-water-damage-1.3965152?cmp=rss
Indspire’s Roberta Jamieson Lays Out Her Vision For Closing The Indigenous Education Gap
UA – Feb 1, 2017
There is systematic racism, and it’s seen in all manner of forms, from very blatant to subtle. From a young age, students are exposed to curriculum materials that don’t reflect who they are. If you don’t see your culture validated, it’s very difficult to continue to embrace a system that doesn’t embrace you. Students also need role models. When I went off to university, if I had not been able to find other Indigenous students who understood my world view and the pressures that are unique to Indigenous students, I very likely would not have graduated…”
Canada’s Outstanding Principal Award Given to Thunder Bay, Ont., Educator
CBC – Feb 1, 2017
Throughout his career, he has developed and emphasized outdoor education programs and the value of teaching traditional skills and technology within an Indigenous curriculum model. “The Seven Grandfather teachings is something that I hold dear and they’re great traits that allow us to look at people and honour people and respect people in a good way and I think if we build those kinds of relationships with our students, with people around us, with our community we’ll prosper and we’ll thrive,” said Lentz.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/thunder-bay-darren-lentz-principal-award-1.3961284
Cree Bilingual Class Holds Special Meaning for Winnipeg Dad, Teacher
CBC – Jan 31, 2017
Russell Murdock knew right away he wanted his son Kingston enrolled in a Cree bilingual class when it first became available in Winnipeg last fall. “I think it’s extremely crucial that the children learn their language,” Murdock said. “We’re losing the language.” “It’s a part of who we are. I think it’s vital to us, just for the fact it’s an identity thing,” he said.
