National Post –May 25, 2018
On paper, Mount Saint Vincent University professor Martha Walls seems perfectly suited to teach a course called Selected Topics in North American History: Residential Schools. An expert on First Nations history, colonialism and gender, she has crafted a curriculum giving priority to Indigenous narratives and primary sources. But according to her critics, Walls is missing one important qualification: she is not Indigenous. And when news spread that a “settler” would be teaching students at the Halifax university about residential schools next fall it prompted an immediate backlash.
http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/as-universities-indigenize-some-see-a-threat-to-open-inquiry
Art Exhibition Highlights how Technology is Enhancing First Nations Education
Anishinabek News – May 25, 2018
Pawis states students can “check out a zoo or go to a science centre that is so readily available and accessible to communities in the south. And a lot of the communities we work with are remote communities, fly-in communities that don’t have access to these services or field trips.”
Confederation College Continues to Move Forward Following Challenging Year
TB News Watch – May 24, 2018
“The second one is our focus on Indigenous learning, to fully engage Indigenous students to have them be as great as they want to be is a huge focus for the college and that is highlighted here as well,” he said.
Not a Survivor, but a Warrior
Ryerson Today – May 24, 2018
“I was taken away from my parents,” said Cheechoo during an emotional keynote address. “Taken from a community where the Cree language was free-flowing in the air, and gave us life. The animals came to us, and we ate healthy food, and everybody trusted each other. The children ran in the fields without fear of being lost or taken by a stranger.
https://www.ryerson.ca/news-events/news/2018/05/shirley-cheechoo-not-a-survivor-but-a-warrior/
Beyond 94 Teacher’s Guide Now Available for Classroom Studies on Truth and Reconciliation
CBC News – May 24, 2018
“I’m hoping the teachers step out of their comfort zone and try to talk about a subject that isn’t comfortable to deal with,” said Ian McCallum, an Indigenous Education Resource Teacher at the Simcoe County District School Board in Ontario.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/beyond-94-reconciliation-teacher-guide-classroom-1.4676063
Anishinaabemowin Focus of Anishinabek Legal Traditions Sessions
Anishinabek News – May 21, 2018
“It’s got to start with the young children,” says Red Rock Indian Band Elder Terry Bouchard at the end of the session. “Now that the Anishinabek took over their jurisdiction in education, they can make sure that we [include Anishinabek legal traditions] in the curriculum right across the school and start teaching them the true history of this country.”
Wood Heating Program Could Jumpstart North’s Bio-Economy
Northern Ontario Business – May 22, 2018
Though he said very complimentary things about the wood heating program in the government’s May 2 news release, Rutter claims the timing of his announcement was just serendipitous, if not very advantageous to the growth of his five-year-old business. The program, which offers free installation of new heating systems in the Indigenous communities and a generous rebate in the other towns, could help spur a movement toward installing larger systems.
Parry Sound High School Mnaadendawin Kwewak Powwow
Parry Sounds – May 20, 2018
“Women are givers of life and just as important, are the water keepers,” said Anishinabek Nation Deputy Grand Council Chief Glen Hare. “I ask that you stand with us wherever you are, whatever colour you may be, to protect the water of this country. I was speaking with the chief this morning, we see these dandelions here … they are here for two to three weeks and they will go away. We could cut all those trees down, they will grow again …. but believe us, when our women say, if you ruin and poison our waters, we cannot fix the waters.”
https://www.parrysound.com/whatson-story/8620741-parry-sound-high-school-mnaadendawin-kwewak-powwow/
Why I’m Trying to Learn the Languages of my Ancestors
CBC News – May 19, 2018
Singing a nursery rhyme seems a fitting way to start each class. Though I am 47 and have two university degrees, when it comes to speaking the language of my ancestors, I talk baby-talk.
Trained at the Canadian Museum of History to Guard Artifacts at the Dokis Museum
Anishinabek News – May 18, 2018
DOKIS FIRST NATION—Adrienne Dokis started out volunteering at her local museum when it opened three years ago. Now she is the manager for The Dokis Museum and has been trained and mentored by experts at the Canadian Museum of History. h
Cannabis Education Ads Air in Indigenous Languages in N.W.T
CBC News – May 14, 2018
As cannabis becomes legalized, a community leader is calling for more public information in his Indigenous language. In late April, Chief Clifford Daniels of Behchoko told CBC he wants to see information about the proposed cannabis laws in his community’s language, Tlicho. “We really need to inform the public. And it shouldn’t be up to the community governments to pick up that cost,” he said.
