The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education has developed a set of learning modules to support and inspire teachers of all kinds and from disciplines and walks of life to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives and how Indigenous knowledge and worldviews can assist all individuals in their learning journey.
The modules provide foundational information about the main issues affecting Indigenous people in Canada. They work well independently of one another (there is no order) and are also complementary.
The modules may also be assigned to students in the classroom and include suggested activities for further learning and application of concepts. They are free and open source.
Overview from webpage:
"Every people has a way of knowing, seeing, explaining, and living in the world. They have distinct values and different ideas about what is important in life.
This interactive module will explore cultural, spiritual and philosophical themes in Indigenous worldviews"
Overview from webpage:
"All students deserve a quality education, one that benefits from the contributions of the original peoples on the land they now call home.
Indigenous knowledges are living ways of making sense of the world embedded in community practices, rituals and relationships.
This module explores Indigenous ways of knowing towards enriching education."
Overview from webpage:
"Racism is about power. When the dominant society controls how Indigenous peoples are perceived, stereotypes are created and perpetuated.
Stereotypes are not only harmful in their own right; they do damage by fostering prejudice and discrimination.
In this interactive multimedia experience you will become aware of the insidious ways in which stereotypes are reproduced and how they perpetuate structural inequality."
Overview from webpage:
"The mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has come to an end, bringing a historic opportunity to build a shared future together.
Mutual understanding is fundamental to achieving genuine reconciliation between Indigenous people and all Canadians.
Education has an important role to play. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls for Action expect Education systems to redress past wrongs and rejuvenate the distrustful relationships that prevailed historically up to today.
Envision what reconciliation means and how education can be an important site for renewing the relationship.
Learn what it means to be an ally and think through concrete ways of contributing to social justice and positive change."
Overview from webpage:
"Indigenous education is a confusing and loaded term that has been defined in many ways historically in Canada, some of which convey completely contradictory goals and outcomes.
We might think of Indigenous education as something different depending on who’s teaching, who’s learning and what is being taught.
Using a medicine wheel as a guide, we can look at themes in Indigenous education historically in Canada tracing the changes from pre-European contact, to early contact, to Colonial education to contemporary movements. The wheel also helps us to see how all themes and currents continue to exist and exert influence even when a new one threatens to supplant the old. In other words, all conceptions of “Indigenous education” continue to manifest in the current moment but to greater degrees of acceptance, power and popularity.
This unit provides an unpacking of the term Indigenous education to explain why it is thought of in such different, sometimes opposing, ways. This lesson will also depict some of the major currents of educational movements related to Indigenous learning."
Overview from webpage:
"Many people think of treaty rights as “special” indigenous rights however, all people living in Canada are treaty people with their own set of rights and responsibilities.
Treaties are a foundational part of Canadian society. Every road, house, building or business that exists today in a treaty area was made possible because of a treaty.
The existence of treaties is proof that the first settlers of what is now Canada respected First Nations as sovereign people and negotiated Nation to Nation.
By understanding the colonial history of Canada we can renew our relationships with each other and move towards meaningful reconciliation."
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum
The digital resource Walking Together: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum was designed to help teachers understand the holistic nature of First Nations, Métis and Inuit ways of knowing; to provide opportunity for Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples to share their perspectives on topics important to them; and to demonstrate First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives in teaching and learning experiences.
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/aswt/
AQ or ABQ courses such as First Nation, Métis and Inuit Studies (3 part AQ), First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples: Understanding Traditional Teachings, Histories, Current Issues and Cultures (3 part AQ), Native Languages (3 part AQ), Intermediate or Senior First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies (ABQ)
"Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are free online courses available for anyone to enroll. MOOCs provide an affordable and flexible way to learn new skills, advance your career and deliver quality educational experiences at scale."
Human Rights Careers courses on Reconciliation & Indigenous Education;
Besner, Linda. “In Their Own Words: The Fight to Preserve the Cree Language.” The Walrus, 25 Mar. 2016, thewalrus.ca/in-their-own-words/.
Indigenous Foundations UBC (amazing website with a plethora of information on many topics and issues relation to First Nations Peoples)