September 18, 2024

The First Nations Education Council (FNEC) has launched the Voices from the Land portal, which contains resources about First Nations and Inuit peoples across Québec for non-Indigenous educators. The portal was created to ensure that Indigenous history and perspectives are adequately represented in provincial school programming. Educators can use Voices from the Land to find tools and lesson plans; teaching tips on cultures, values, and languages; and pedagogical materials for different grade levels. The portal also offers educators the opportunity to connect with First Nations and Inuit Knowledge Keepers. “Developed from the perspective of First Nations, Voices from the Land provides trusted resources to facilitate the integration of First Nations content into the provincial curriculum and will be a powerful tool for non-Indigenous teachers and educators to bring Indigenous culture into their classrooms,” said FNEC Director General Denis Gros-Louis.

First Nations University of Canada and the City of Regina have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their commitment to enhancing Indigenous opportunities. The agreement focuses on promoting educational, cultural, and community development initiatives that benefit both FNU and the city. “The [MOU] between First Nations University of Canada and the City of Regina formalizes and publicly demonstrates a commitment to good relations, one that has been forged over time,” said FNU President Dr Jacqueline Ottmann. “This MOU ensures that we continue to come together in ways that are synergistic, meaningful, educational, and life-giving. I also appreciate the positive example of reconciliation that this agreement shares with other communities, cities, this province, and Canada.”

Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) has published a new resource to help postsecondary instructors recognize Indigenous Knowledges in the classroom and encourage critical thinking. The Indigenous Knowledge Implementation Packsack: A Handbook for Embedding Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Your Teaching addresses instructors’ anxieties about working in an Indigenous Knowledge Environment and answers common questions. The handbook is supplemented by four visual guides that instructors can use to navigate this process: The First Way – Wholistic Teaching and Learning, The Second Way – Communicating Through Story, The Third Way – Strong Relational Thinking, and The Fourth Way – Practicing Humility.

Indigenous children in British Columbia will have access to more culturally relevant child care spaces with over 300 new child care spaces opening in the province. Three new Aboriginal Head Start centres will bring 108 child care spaces to the cities of Colwood, Kelowna, and Vancouver, ensuring children can receive affordable and culturally relevant care. Over 200 new child care spaces will be opening for Métis families through centres opening in Kelowna, Mission, Port Alberni, Terrace, and Vernon. ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund has also provided $6.5M to add 49 spaces in Fort St John. The centres will support education, health, and social outcomes for Métis children. “Culturally relevant child care for Métis children fosters a strong cultural identity and enhances well-being by weaving Métis culture and language into early learning and child care,” said MNBC CEO Colette Trudeau.

A free pilot program called the Me-yaw-sin Micowin–Michif culinary program is helping Métis youth gain culinary and employment skills. The program is run by bistro owner Chef Dean Herkert in partnership with the Manitoba Métis Federation, Red River College Polytechnic, and the Further Education Society. Over eight weeks, students learn about culinary arts, financial literacy, and general employment skills. Throughout this training, students acquire certificates in first aid training and food handling in addition to communication and collaboration skills. Students were also able to connect with their heritage through a visit to the Riel House National Historic Site. “We made pemmican, bannock and all these traditional Métis dishes,” said Culinary program Student Malachi Coulombe. “I think it was important just to learn my culture and go in depth more.”

Teachers, educational professionals, and school support staff who work at the Cree School Board will be walking off the job after discussions failed to make significant progress. The unions representing these staff—the Association des employés du Nord québécois and the Syndicat des professionnelles et professionnels en milieu scolaire du Nord-Ouest—voted in favour of a strike mandate last June that could be triggered at any time in the fall if discussions stalled. Teachers will be on strike from September 25th to 27th. Educational professionals will strike on October 4th, 7th, and 8th; while support staff will strike from October 1st to 3rd. The unions’ previous agreements expired in March 2023.

Three universities recently announced partnerships with local Indigenous partners. Thompson Rivers University and Williams Lake First Nation have signed an agreement committing them to collaboration on a variety of fronts, including programming, incorporation of ways of knowing, and other initiatives. The University of Saskatchewan and Thunderchild First Nation signed an MOU to strengthen their relationship and committed to collaborating on shared interests such as mentorship, research, and supporting Indigenous youth. York University and the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) have signed a relationship agreement to advance Indigenous health priorities, such as by integrating traditional knowledge into YorkU’s medical education curricula and facilitating placements at Indigenous primary health-care organizations.

St Frances Cree Bilingual School in Saskatoon has received a $250K donation from Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation to build a powwow arbour on its grounds. The pwātisiwakamik outdoor gathering place will be used for cultural ceremonies and events, including mini powwows and round dances. “Everyone is very excited to see this building open because the students of St Frances will now have a dedicated space that reflects who they are, what their culture is about, and a space that will lend itself to a sense of pride and empowerment in who they are,” said Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools superintendent of education Kelley Cardinal. The school is also currently constructing an additional building to accommodate its growing student population; the building is scheduled to be complete in Fall 2025.

First Nations Agriculture and Finance Ontario (FNAFO) has launched a program that will help Indigenous youth learn more about pursuing a career in agriculture. The program will teach high school students about farming and agriculture. Four different lessons are designed for students in Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12, and each lesson can be adapted according to teacher interests. The program will start with students on reserves and has a Northern Ontario focus. It will also be available across Ontario to classes with First Nations students, and can be offered virtually.

Northland School Division has taken steps to support reconciliation at its schools and ensure that Indigenous students feel represented. Northland engaged with students, staff, and the communities of its 19 schools last year. Based on these discussions, the board of trustees then added to the three-year education plan, prioritizing “connections that support reconciliation” in ways that are tailored to different communities. Northland is redoubling its efforts to incorporate land-based learning by encouraging all staff to bring it into all subject areas. Additionally, some teachers will appear online, which will address the need for substitute teachers and a greater variety of high school courses.