Infusing Aboriginal Perspectives

Across the Curriculum

for All Students

Ontario Library Association

Super Conference

February 1st, 2017

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http://bit.ly/OLA7teachings

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Joel Krentz

Educator, Teacher Librarian, Reading Advocate, Digital Learner, Indigenous Education Ally

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You can find me @joelkrentz or at

joel.krentz@tdsb.on.ca ...

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Wilkinson Library

about.me/wilkinsonlibrary

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… and at my school @wilkinsonTDSB

Daily Acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge that Wilkinson school is situated upon traditional territories.

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The territories include the Wendat, Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Mississaugas of the

New Credit First Nations and the Métis Nation.

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I also recognize the enduring presence of Aboriginal peoples on this land.

Aboriginal Perspectives for All Students

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Rationale and Beginnings

as a way to deliver character education and address learning skills, specifically responsibility, collaboration and self-regulation

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Seven Grandfather Teachings

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curricular connections, Learning Commons partnering - our journey so far and next steps

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Infusing Aboriginal Perspectives

imperatives, addressing concerns, securing resources, team building and first steps

Rationale and Beginnings

Learning Skills, Character Education and the Seven Grandfather Teachings

From Rabbit and Bear Paws, Grandfather Teachings page by Chad Solomon

- Responsibility and Self Regulation is a noticeable and growing concern, particularly amongst our younger students (K-2),

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- Seven Teachings ties in with existing character education traits

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- Seven Teachings are universal - traits that are shared and understood by every culture

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Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Calls to Action for Education # 62

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We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to:

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• Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students.

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Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Calls to Action for Education # 62

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• Provide the necessary funding to post-secondary institutions to educate teachers on how to integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms.
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• Provide the necessary funding to Aboriginal schools to utilize Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods in classrooms.
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• Establish senior-level positions in government at the assistant deputy minister level or higher dedicated to Aboriginal content in education.

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Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Calls to Action for Education # 63

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We call upon the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada to maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues, including:

• Developing and implementing Kindergarten to Grade Twelve curriculum and learning resources on Aboriginal peoples in Canadian history, and the history and legacy of residential schools.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Calls to Action for Education # 63

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• Sharing information and best practices on teaching curriculum related to residential schools and Aboriginal history.
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• Building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
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• Identifying teacher-training needs relating to the above.

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Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Calls to Action for Education # 64

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We call upon all levels of government that provide public funds to denominational schools to require such schools to provide an education on comparative religious studies, which must include a segment on Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and practices developed in collaboration with Aboriginal Elders.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Calls to Action for Education # 65

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We call upon the federal government, through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and in collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, post-secondary institutions and educators, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and its partner institutions, to establish a national research program with multi-year funding to advance understanding of reconciliation.

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Planning with Staff

Staff agreed that a teaching focus with a stronger Aboriginal focus was a good direction to take.

Some overriding concerns remained:

• did not want to mis-step and offend
• did not want to appropriate
• Some felt that they did not know enough to teach and share

Staff were looking for answers before moving forward.

Best Practices

Frpm a forthcoming document from the TDSB’s Aboriginal Education Centre

First Steps

• Through the school’s Equity committee, create a plan of action for the school year and beyond
• School wide focus on the Grandfather Teachings as a way to deliver Character Education
• Spirit Assemblies to focus on Grandfather Teachings
• Communicate with School Council so that their activities and performances reflect this focus
• Secure resources including print resources, funds for visiting authors, artists and elders
• Gathering resources to support the inclusion and infusion of Aboriginal perspectives in our teaching

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Framing Documents

Library Learning Commons Resources

Seven Grandfather Teachings

To cherish knowledge is to know wisdom;

To know love is to know peace;

To honour all of creation is to have respect;

Bravery is to face the foe with integrity;

Honesty in facing a situation is to be brave;

Humility is to know yourself as a sacred part of creation;

Truth is to know all of these things.

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~ Edward Benton-Banai from ‘The Mishomis Book’

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Seven Grandfather Teachings

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Teaching Carpet

Exploring emotions as they relate to totem animals - presented as a narrated slidedeck.

Spirit Assemblies focusing on the Grandfather Teachings

Narrated Tableau

Wisdom

Love

Infusing Aboriginal Perspectives

Curricular Connections

Infusing Aboriginal Perspectives has clear connections to social studies, science, sustainability, outdoor education.

With the help of online resources, connections to HPE, Music, Art Language, Drama and importantly, Math, were shared.

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Place your screenshot here

Online and Print Resources to Support the Teaching and Learning of Aboriginal Perspectives

bit.ly/wilkinsonlibrary

Reconciliation and

Orange Shirt Day

Author Visits with Melanie Florence

Podcast Interview with Melanie Florence

Gift of Reconciliation

School Council Involvement and Partnership

LES Plan:

What in the World

Learning Commons Partnering

• Develop community connection with the neighbouring First Nations School of Toronto and the Aboriginal Education Centre
• Invite an artist to create a mural for our front foyer
• Have an Elder visit (PA Day in June) to share perspectives
• Implement a ‘Caught Showing … ‘ program to encourage and recognise the demonstration of the Grandfather Teachings

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Next Steps ...

• Creation of a junior grade unit called ‘The Courage of Shannen Koostachin’
• Development of a grade 3 unit on Treaties using Google My Maps
• Whole school visit from Rabbit and Bear Paws author and illustrator, Chad Solomon (March 29th)
• Regular check-ins with the Equity Committee and leadership team to ensure we are moving along the continuum as a school

Next Steps ...

Thank you.

Any Questions?

Anything to Share?

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You can find me @joelkrentz

or at joel.krentz@tdsb.on.ca