August 21, 2024

The University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education has created a new website that offers resources meant to help K-12 teachers combat racism against Indigenous peoples and include Indigenous perspectives in their classrooms. The website offers lesson plans and podcast episodes and showcases researchers’ work on implementing anti-Indigenous racism curricula into the classroom. UCalgary Researcher Dr Patricia Danyluk said that many teachers are worried about making mistakes when they incorporate Indigenous perspectives into their classrooms, and that the website’s resources aim to help support these teachers. “We’re trying to actually do something with our research, [not just] publishing articles and doing conferences and all those things, but creating something that teachers can actually participate in and be part of and use in their classrooms,” said Danyluk.

A language immersion school in Six Nations of the Grand River will be getting its own building thanks to $26.8M in funding from the elected council. The Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo Private School—which offers Cayuga and Kanien’kéha (Mohawk language) immersion to children ages kindergarten to Grade 12—has never had a permanent home, and is currently operating out of donated space on the second floor of an arena. The new building will allow the school to accept more students. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn their language and culture,” said school principal Tammy Jonathan, who noted that the school had previously had to turn away students due to a lack of space. Teacher Katsitsionhawi Hill expressed excitement about teaching in the new school and noted that it will provide an environment where students can thrive. Construction is anticipated to take two years to complete.

The Tyee reporter Katie Hyslop recently spoke to Simon Fraser University Canada Research Chair Amy Parent, who is Nisga’a, about the issues with the federal government’s report and process behind a new capstone research funding organization. Amy Parent (Simon Fraser University) comments that a report released in March 2023 recommended the creation of a new organization and distribution for science, health, social sciences, and humanities research funding. However, Parent notes that the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research—which is an advisory body to NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC—was not briefed on this report until June this year and was given insufficient time to respond. Parent outlines her concern that the proposed capstone program’s focus will directly contradict Indigenous research goals and negatively affect funding for Indigenous research training and development. Parent calls for the government to scrap the advisory panel’s report and start again with the inclusion of the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research.

The University College of the North and Northern College have each announced mining training that will be geared towards Indigenous students. The University College of the North and NORCAT have partnered to deliver a Mining Readiness Training program in Manitoba. The program will initially be launched in September 2024 in Sagkeeng First Nation near Lac du Bonnet; subsequent cohorts will be delivered in various locations across the province. Program graduates will receive a dual certificate of completion from UCN and NORCAT. Northern has partnered with NPLH Drilling to offer the diamond drilling common core – basic training program to Taykwa Tagamou Nation members. The cost of the program will be covered by NPLH Drilling.

Auburn Drive High School Principal Karen Hudson has changed the way that students at her school are placed on individual program plans (IPPs) to remove barriers for Indigenous and Black students at the school. IPPs are intended to be only used as a “last resort” and can reportedly limit a student’s higher education opportunities and carry stigma. Black and Indigenous students are disproportionately put on IPPs, with many students placed on IPPs when other options are more appropriate. While all administrators in Hudson’s school board have been encouraged to “disrupt” the IPP process, Hudson has built on this by taking more factors into consideration and consulting with family before placing a student on an IPP. The high school now reportedly has one of the lowest numbers of students on IPPs of all high schools in the Halifax Regional Centre for Education. “We have to understand what we did wrong and correct that wrong,” explained Hudson, who encourages administrators to get to know the individuals in their school to change inequities within the education system.

A consortium led by Community Circle and involving BI Pure water, kama.ai, Transform Interactive, and the University of British Columbia has developed and launched a new training application from Community Circle’s Operator’s Walkthrough Lab (OWL) platform. The consortium members worked together to transform the OWL platform into a suite of educational and training tools that could be used to foster better public works training in rural communities. The application includes AI and XR tools, interactive modules with built-in quizzes, and a virtual support assistant. According to Nation Talk, the OWL water plant operator training application gives Indigenous community members a way to develop their skills in water plant operations without leaving their communities.

The Maskwacis Cultural College officially transitioned to an e-learning hub earlier this summer after closing its physical campus in May. The Spectator reports that the college’s registrar’s office and administration team are working out of a shared office, while Elders, the president, and deans are working from home. The college—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary—put out a call earlier this year for suggestions to inform future classes and programming. The Spectator reports that the college is continuing to offer classes online and that it will begin to offer a microlearning series for the general public later this year.

Homalco First Nation has officially broken ground on a $9.5M childcare centre in the Campbell River area. The facility—which the First Nation is opening in partnership with the Government of British Columbia—will have space for 79 children. The Homalco First Nation will play a key role in the centre’s programming and staffing. The centre will also create employment opportunities within the community. “In the process we can also diversify our economy. This is the path of reconciliation, where we can provide care and cultural teachings within the child care, such as our Ayajuthem language and traditional stories,” said Homalco Chief Darren Blaney.

Brock University’s new Indigenous Plus program has received a $500K donation from Scotiabank’s ScotiaRISE program. Indigenous Plus enhances the educational experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students by exposing them to career and mentorship opportunities. The program incorporates Indigenous perspectives, cultural teachings, and knowledge into career-integrated learning and includes talks by Elders and Knowledge Keepers, workshops, mentorship opportunities, and career advising. The funding from Scotiabank will help Brock to reduce any barriers between students and participation in the program. “This generous gift will allow us to provide Indigenous students with opportunities to connect with culture and community, gain experience, develop skills and build a personal career plan to support their future aspirations,” said Brock Manager of Co-curricular Experiential Learning and Programs Katrina D’Intino.

British Columbia will soon sport two new schools with spaces dedicated to Indigenous education. The Government of British Columbia is investing over $33M into the development of a new elementary school in Fernie, which My East Kootenay Now says will have a learning centre with dedicated space for Indigenous education. The school will also feature a kitchen and dedicated community program space. Pitt Meadows will gain a new school thanks to provincial funding of over $143M. The school will include a neighbourhood learning centre with purpose-built space for Indigenous education and an expanded gym, theatre space, and teaching kitchen. At both schools, developers are evaluating whether a new child care facility would be suitable.