Community Spotlight: God’s Lake Narrows

God's Lake Narrows School Mural

Learning Bird is pleased to welcome God’s Lake Narrows First Nation School as a new partner this year. Rebecca Smith, one of our Education Account Leads, recently made two trips to the community to train educators on our platform and plan the classroom resources we will create together. “Everyone was exceptionally warm and welcoming. It’s a very safe community. The innkeeper told me about how everyone knows and cares for each other,” said Rebecca.

Land-Based Resources for God’s Lake Narrows School

Mackenzie Rostad, a Learning Bird Content Creator, accompanied Rebecca on her second trip to the community to collect footage to create resources for educators and learners. Several resources we will create in collaboration with God’s Lake Narrows School centre on the land. “Some of the resources are about snaring or fishing activities. Some of them are about the ways that people lived, and others are about the community itself,” said Rebecca. She experienced a few of these activities firsthand when she went ice fishing with community member Jackie Kanabee. “Jackie was just amazing throughout. He’s very knowledgeable and a really nice man, and I appreciated him taking us out to experience ice fishing.”

God's Lake Narrows - Boat

Comparing Past and Present in God’s Lake Narrows

Another resource kit we’re working on focuses on comparing life in God’s Lake Narrows in the past with now. One community member, Goldie Healey, sat down for an interview with Rebecca and Mackenzie and talked about how life in the community was quite different in the past. She describes how transportation has changed. In the past, canoes were the primary mode of transport, but now most people use motorized boats. Also, a lot of time was spent outdoors, especially in the summer months. All community members would help out with getting wood or preparing food, and everyone would attend celebrations. This strong sense of community is something that has endured in God’s Lake Narrows.

Strong Community Ties

Rebecca experienced the strong community ties directly while she was in God’s Lake Narrows. Everyone came together when the power went out for a brief time at the lodge where Rebecca was staying. “We all gathered together in the main lodge because they had a wood fire and some candles and lamps. Basically, we were all going to sleep on couches near the wood stove to keep warm, but then the power came back on. It was an adventure, and I really saw how people were there for each other and willing to help out when things like this happened.”

Overall, Rebecca and Mackenzie really enjoyed their time in God’s Lake Narrows. Rebecca worked with educators one-on-one to ensure they could get the most out of our platform and the resources we’ve created with other partners. She also helped Mackenzie conduct interviews with several community members. They heard stories from the past and participated in hands-on learning experiences on the land. In the coming weeks, the Learning Bird team will use the footage and materials gathered and work with educators and community members to create custom content that will help their learners connect with what they are learning and preserve the stories of community Elders and Knowledge Keepers for future generations.

 

National Indigenous Veterans Day

National Indigenous Veterans Day

Lest We Forget is a phrase commonly associated with Remembrance Day observations. It has particular resonance as the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day approaches. The phrase has biblical origins, but its modern connotation urges us to recognize and remember the sacrifices made by millions of men and women in foreign conflicts. In Canada, however, “Lest We Forget” seems to apply only to some Canadians who risked or lost their lives in defence of our country. Specifically, Canadian history largely omits the contributions of Indigenous Peoples who fought for the freedoms we enjoy. The government recently made efforts to rectify these omissions and honour the thousands of Indigenous volunteers who fought and died for Canada with National Indigenous Veterans Day.

Honouring Indigenous Veterans

In July 2018, the Governor General awarded an amateur historian in Quebec the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. Yann Castelnot created one of the largest databases of Indigenous soldiers who served in the Canadian and U.S. militaries. Castelnot, originally from France, spent two decades compiling the names of more than 150,000 Indigenous soldiers who fought for their countries. His work brought the achievements of military heroes like Sgt. Frank Narcisse Jérome, a Mi’kmaw soldier from Quebec who fought at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and Passchendaele to light. Jérome is one of only 39 Canadians to receive the Military Medal three times during a conflict. “[These heroes] must be put back on the altar of heroes alongside all the others…it’s not just a photo or a name, but a story to tell,” Castelnot said.

Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture

Last year, Learning Bird worked with St. Theresa Point Middle School to create social studies resources about the contributions of First Nations people in Canada’s war efforts in the twentieth century. One of the video resources centres on Indigenous heroes in WWI. It details the experiences of veterans like Charlotte Edith Anderson Monture. Monture was a member of Six Nations of the Grand River and a gifted student. She aspired to become a nurse. However, the Indian Act barred Indigenous people from higher education. Instead, she attended nursing school in New York and became Canada’s first Indigenous registered nurse in 1914. She then joined the U.S. military and served in a military hospital in France from 1917-18. Charlotte subsequently became the first Indigenous woman to vote in Canada.

Mike Mountain Horse

The resource kit also highlights the service of Mike Mountain Horse from Kainai First Nation. Mike went to St. Paul’s Anglican Residential School on reserve at age six. He later worked as a scout for the North-West Mounted Police. Mountain Horse’s father fought with the Blood Tribe during the Battle of Belly River. His brother served with the 23rd Alberta Rangers in World War One, eventually dying of injuries he suffered during the Second Battle of Ypres. Mike Mountain Horse and his brother Joe enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, fighting in France. Upon his return to Canada, he became a journalist. He wrote a manuscript detailing Kainai culture and history called “My People the Bloods.”  

Charles “Checker” Tomkins

Another Indigenous soldier featured in the resource kit is Charles “Checker” Tomkins, who played a key role in WWII. Charles was a fluent Cree speaker from a small village in Northern Alberta. He joined the Canadian military in 1939. The Canadian High Command sent him to London, England in 1940, and summoned him to a secret meeting. There, they tested Charles’ fluency in Cree. Canadian High Command told Charles he would serve as a “code talker,” a translator of secret Allied communications. Command assigned Charles to the U.S. 8th Air Force and the 9th Bomber Command in England, translating various messages like troop movement orders or enemy supply lines. A 2016 documentary on Charles’ service, Cree Code Talker, notes that many credit this operation with helping win the war. The film also points out that neither the U.S. nor Canadian governments have recognized code talkers’ role in WWII.

Learning About Indigenous Veterans

These resources ask learners to consider the contributions of Indigenous war heroes. They challenge learners to consider what we can learn from the past and how it helps us understand the present and the future. Questions like these help learners develop strong critical thinking skills and prepare them to consider the differences between how the Canadian government has treated non-Indigenous and Indigenous veterans.

Celebrate National Indigenous Veterans Day

November 8th marks National Indigenous Veterans Day. It was first observed by Winnipeg’s city council to commemorate Indigenous contributions to Canada’s war efforts. The Canadian government still does not consider it a national day of observance. However, educators can ensure that learners know the extraordinary contributions and significant legacies of thousands of Indigenous men and women. We hope to work with other communities to create content that honours and celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ service to Canada in the coming years.

Community Spotlight: Seven Generations Education Institute

Seven Generations

Seven Generations Education Institute derives its name from ancient Indigenous philosophy. Decisions made in the present should be sustainable seven generations into the future. For the past three years, we have seen how committed the educators and staff are to this principle. We’ve enjoyed working with them to achieve this important goal. The resources we’ve created together reflect the rich cultures of the Seven Generations Education Institute’s ten founding Nations. They will be accessible for educators and learners for years to come.

Respecting Sacred Teachings at Seven Generations Education Institute

During the first year of our collaboration, we worked with educators, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers. We created resources for dimensions of wellness, feast bags, and the significance of the Sweat Lodge, tobacco offerings, and naming ceremonies. Seven Generations Education Institute chose to keep some of these resources private. They are not accessible to other school partners using Learning Bird. “There are certain ceremonies, Protocols, and traditions that are sacred and specific to a certain place or Nation. Some communities want that knowledge to remain in the community,” said Natalie Gilbert, Learning Bird’s Education Content Manager. Our commitment is to respect these wishes. We ensure that every school and community has control over when and how they share their resources.

Sky Woman

During the 2017/18 school year, we worked with Seven Generations Education Institute to build resources on the Anishinaabe Creation story of Sky Woman from Basil Johnston’s Ojibway Heritage. The resource kit includes slideshows, a handout, and a video that introduces learners to the story of Sky Woman. Together with educators, staff, and learners at the school, we were able to bring this beautiful story to life. The video featured illustrative paintings by learners and narration by Julija Graham, an educator at the high school. “It’s great for learners to see their creative work reflected in resources built for the school and hear voices from the community that they recognize. It keeps content localized and incorporates the talents of learners and other community members,” said Natalie.  

Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung

Last year, our work with Seven Generations Education Institute focused on creating resources about Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung, Anishinaabemowin for “Place of the Long Rapids.” This site was an important place of early habitation and ceremonial burials. The resources discuss the historical and cultural significance of Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung. That includes signing Treaty 3 and the forced amalgamation of Indigenous Peoples in the region into the Rainy River First Nations by the Canadian government.

The activities in the kit encourage learners to think about how the construction of the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre and a traditional roundhouse symbolize the resilience of the Rainy River First Nations. The resource kit includes an interview with Elder Gilbert Smith. He shares his knowledge of the burial mounds at Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung, the Manitou Mounds.

Celebrating Indigenous Knowledge at Seven Generations Education Institute

This year, we will be working with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from Rainy River First Nations to create resources for Seven Generations Education Institute. Earlier this month, Natalie and Learning Bird’s Education Training Manager Joelle Chemali documented the school’s Fall Feast. “There were 14 stations set up so learners could experience different activities, including Métis jigging, bannock making, storytelling, and drumming. What I really liked about it was that everyone was happy and willing to share the knowledge and information they had about each activity,” said Joelle.

Honouring Survivors

One station helped learners understand the impact of the residential school system on individuals, communities, and Nations in the region. Elder Kelvin Morrison spoke to learners about some of his painful experiences at a residential school. Kelvin also shared his story with us on camera. Joelle noted the significance of this for learners and others. “It’s important to make people more aware about what actually happened in these schools, and also to make them aware of the impact the residential school system had on Survivors’ children, grandchildren, and communities.”

Some of our partners choose to keep residential school resources private for in-community use only. Others are comfortable sharing their stories and experiences to benefit all learners on the Learning Bird platform. We are very grateful to have worked with several residential school Survivors over the years and have assisted in documenting their traumatic experiences and stories of resilience for future generations.

Culturally-Relevant Resources

Our team looks forward to creating engaging, culturally-relevant resources. This year, Natalie and Joelle collected the video footage and audio materials while on-site at Seven Generations Education Institute. They have seen firsthand how committed the educators and administrators are to helping learners succeed and connect with their culture.

“Principal Sean Taggart is really involved and listens to his staff very carefully. Over the years, their staff hasn’t changed much, which means educators enjoy their work and are dedicated to their learners. There’s a strong sense of partnership, and they’re all working together to achieve the same goal, which is amazing to see,” said Joelle. She’s already looking forward to working closely with the educators again when she travels in the new year. She will be returning to offer educators one-on-one coaching. Educators will learn how best to optimize and integrate the resources we’ve created into their year plans.

Community Spotlight: Treaty Six Education Council

Treaty Six Education Council

Our work with Treaty Six Education Council (TSEC) has yielded engaging digital resources and memorable experiences over the past three years. The Council provides educational support to 12 First Nations communities in Saskatchewan. It creates a sense of cultural pride amongst learners through academic excellence. Learning Bird’s Education Account Lead Rebecca Smith has worked with Treaty Six Education Council for two years. She observed the Council’s commitment to helping learners feel proud of their culture and identity. “The biggest priority at TSEC is making sure learners see their language and their culture reflected in the materials used in school,” Rebecca said. “There is a big focus on building land-based and culture-based activities and learning experiences, which is amazing to see.”

Treaty Six Education Council: A Place to Share Knowledge and Resources

TSEC’s core values include honouring Indigenous knowledge and experiences and preserving its Treaty, language, and cultural teachings for future generations. The Council works toward this goal by developing land-based learning kits with Elders and educators from its member Nations. During Rebecca’s visit to TSEC last month, she noted that the kits, designed for specific grades around certain topic areas, help educators save time. They also provide access to culturally-relevant resources readily. Instead of educators having to source resources on their own, they are available through the Council. “TSEC acts as a repository of knowledge and experiences that educators can tap into easily,” said Rebecca. “The Council is a place educators can go for support and physical resources.”

TSEC also hosts a variety of cultural activities, including pow wows, feasts, and festivals. These help learners connect to their heritage and language. Last year, learners shared their culture with other learners in Canada using technology. TSEC learners in grades 3-8 participated in a culture-sharing exercise with pen pals in British Columbia. They used a webcam to connect the two classrooms and showcased pow-wow culture through singing, dancing, and drumming.

Blending Learning, Technology, and Culture

One of TSEC’s main priorities is helping learners find innovative ways to connect to their culture. In the 2017/18 school year, TSEC staff worked collaboratively with Learning Bird to create resources combining technology, gaming, and cultural knowledge. One resource uses Minecraft, a video game enabling players to build a 3D world. Learners learn about the teachings and interpretations of the Medicine Wheel while playing the game.

Learners first explore the cultural significance of the Medicine Wheel. They examine the elements, seasons, stages of life, and medicines that correspond to each quadrant. Learners then consider how and why other cultures interpret the Medicine Wheel differently. Next, educators introduce learners to Minecraft. Minecraft is a “sandbox” game, an allusion to a child’s sandbox with few rules but many opportunities for creative play. The challenge is for learners to map out and create a Medicine Wheel reflecting their community.

Resources With Relevance

Last year, we worked with TSEC to create resources to support middle school English language arts, science, and math classes. TSEC staff wanted to build videos, activity handouts, and presentations that included examples learners could relate to. Some of the ELA resources ask learners to practise descriptive writing skills after viewing paintings by Cree painter Allen Sapp. The science resources help familiarize learners with medicinal plants in the boreal forest. Building math resources with relevant community examples incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing and teaching interested the staff. They worked closely with us to create resources on calculating the surface area and volume of right rectangular prisms through a narrative about sled dogs.  

Treaty Six Education Council Educators Take to New App

Working with TSEC staff over the past couple of years gives us insight into their dedication and desire to push boundaries. As Learning Bird launched a new version of our app this summer, we were excited to see how TSEC educators responded to its improved functionalities. Rebecca observed the educators’ willingness to adapt to new technology throughout last month’s onsite training session. “There were a couple of instances where I saw educators helping other educators navigate the platform,” said Rebecca. “Seeing the educators themselves moving from the learner to the educator role within the short time-frame of our workshop was impressive.”

Culture and History Central for Treaty Six

One of Rebecca’s most memorable experiences on her trip to Treaty Six was visiting the Battle of Cut Knife Hill National Historic Site on the Poundmaker Reserve. TSEC’s IT Learning Support Coordinator Sarah Thompson took Rebecca to the site. It includes several plaques and information about the military conflicts between the Canadian government and Métis and First Nations Peoples. The history of Chief Poundmaker particularly struck Rebecca. She wanted to learn about the reasons for the conflict. She was very glad to have the opportunity to see his grave, pay her respects, and honour his legacy. The visit to the site epitomizes TSEC’s commitment to education and celebrating its people’s history. The Council sums up these values well in their mission statement to “Honour the Past, Engage the Present, and Embrace the Future.”

We look forward to continuing our work with the entire Treaty Six Education Council community and building additional resources to support the learners. Rebecca will head back to visit many TSEC schools in a few months. She will spend time one-on-one with educators to help them integrate the resources we’ve created together over the past three years.