Mike Fitzmaurice and Heather Lett, teachers at Eganville and District Public School and members of the Pikwakanagan Project Research Team, acknowledge the Algonquin Territory and share what it means to them to live on this land.

Welcome to the fourth session of the four-part learning series, Supporting Indigenous Students in Mathematics. We hope that the learning journey shared throughout this series supports you in your local context working with First Nation, Métis and Inuit partners in supporting community goals, as well as those shared regarding the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen - The words that come before everything else.

The Indigenous Education Office would like to say Niawen’kó:wa, Thank you very much to all the people who have dedicated their time and energy into this work, Indigenous Ways of Knowing Mathematics, to benefit First Nation, Métis, Inuit and all learners. The IEO recognizes the boards in partnership with community, who are implementing the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Policy Framework across a variety of goals in such a true and authentic way. Ó:nen ki’ wáhi! Baamaapii! Until later!

Mike Fitzmaurice, Grade 6 Teacher, Eganville and District Public School, shares his personal experiences and reflections as a member of the research team.

Examples of sharing - sharing with community, Elders, students, families and educators locally and more broadly by all members of the research team, with and in support of each other, are provided as the sharing and reconsulting phase of the cyclical framework are highlighted. Additionally, you will find multiple community Newsletters from the Pikwakanagan project on the Resources Page.

Members of the Research Team, in partnership with community members of Pikwakanagan First Nation, celebrate learning and relationships by hosting Family Math Nights at the Makwa Centre in Pikwakanagan. Students, parents, extended family and the school community, share a meal and engage in mathematical exploration and fun through a variety of games.

In each community, during the consultation process, we consistently heard about the importance of The Language and the urgency for its revitalization. Knowledge and culture exist within and through The Language. Without The Language, far more than words are lost for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Peoples. Integration of The Language varies across projects and communities depending on the availability of Language speakers. Integration extends from the teaching of words and phrases to co-instruction and learning in both English and Anishenaabemowin such as that experienced in the Grade 3 class at Lakeview School, M'Chigeeng First Nation. A key focus of the M'Chigenng project is the important role Anishenaabemowin plays in both mathematical and cultural learning.

Innovative program at Lakeview School teaches mathematics through traditional beading

Robin Burridge - December 27, 2017

M’CHIGEENG—A groundbreaking new initiative at Lakeview School in M’Chigeeng is teaching students mathematics while revitalizing traditional loom beading with the community’s youth. Lakeview School numeracy...

Jody Alexander, Vice-Principal FNMI Education, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and community of Pikwakanagan project advisor, discusses cultural appropriation. Jody reminds us to be mindful in work involving Indigenous knowledge and culture. Doing the work in a good way means working in partnership - partnerships built on respect and reciprocity. As a research team we continually revisit and reflect as a safe guard against cultural appropriation. We ask you to spend a few minutes of reflection at the end of each session so that you too can go forward in a good way.