Northwest School Division #203
Aboriginal Education Committee
Aboriginal Education Committee Newsletter - June 2012
Teach
e
Educa r
t
and Su ion
pport
Our Vision: Promote achievement for
Aboriginal students by instilling
knowledge and understanding of
Aboriginal cultures to all education
stakeholders in Northwest School Division.
Who
Terry Craig, Jennifer Dorval, Gwen Muskego, Cindy Macnab, Brenda
Knight, Gary Mirasty, Jana Ross, Karen Lavallee, Carmen Sperling,
Tara Carter, Lynda Erlandson
What
So far we have held two meetings and shared lots of exciting
possibilities. We have established a wiki that is linked under
Professional Resources at www.nwsd.ca and have made plans to
develop some resource kits for use in classrooms. We would love to
assist if you have questions or would like to invite us to a staff
meeting for some PD.
Did you know?
Division office has some
aboriginal resources
available for loan?
Contact Carol Ferguson
at the Meadow Lake
Office.
June 2
1st
Nation is
Aborig al
inal
Day
Our Sub-Committees
Terry and Gary continue to work on Teacher and Student Cultural
Camps. There is a large group of us working on the topics of Teacher
Education and Support -Treaty Education ,Métis Education ,
Resources and Resource People – Elders and other successful role
models and Treaty Catalyst Teacher training. Terry and Tara are
looking at First Nations Perspectives: Changing views and
perceptions. Brenda and Jennifer are considering the aspects of
success for males and people in poverty. Terry, Jennifer and Lynda
are considering a Tracking System to determine success of the
committee.
Some members of our
committee met with the Joint
Task Force on Improving
Education & Employment for
First Nations & Metis People
on May 22.
Together to the Beat
Glaslyn and H.Hardcastle Schools along with Thunderchild School
took part in a TreatySmarts program sponsored by the
Saskatchewan Arts Board. The project took place during the
second week in May, with the help and guidance of world-renowned
percussionist Boris Sichon. Each school hosted morning
workshops, followed by a performance. After three days of getting
to know one another, the participants put together an expression of
music making, singing, dancing, chanting and drumming.
Appreciative audiences for the event included a mixture of staff,
students and interested community members. Kudos to Patti
Formanek, Mladen Loncar, Sandra Jimmy, and Peggy SunchildWorm for their work in setting up this wonderful cultural experience.
Historical Thinking Workshop
Two learning coaches and a History teacher from our division
attended a Historical Thinking Workshop in Saskatoon in Mid-May.
They had in-depth discussions about teaching strategies that could
have implications for incorporating Aboriginal content into Social
Sciences courses. There will be a list of resources that were made
available at this workshop on both our Aboriginal Ed. and Social
Science resources web pages. You can find out more at the
Historical Thinking website at http://www.historicalthinking.ca/
You can also contact Cindy Macnab, Brenda Knight or Amanda
Miazga for more information.
Perceptions
We have come to the understanding that perceptions need to be
changed in order to ensure success for all of our students. Issues
relating to poverty and engagement of all students need to be
addressed.
National Aboriginal Day History
On June 21st, Canadians from all walks of life
are invited to participate in the many National
Aboriginal Day events that will be taking place
from coast to coast to coast.
June 21st kick starts the 11 days of Celebrate
Canada! which includes National Aboriginal
Day (June 21), Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June
24), Canadian Multiculturalism Day (June 27)
and concludes with Canada Day (July 1)!
On June 13, 1996, the Governor General of
Canada proclaimed June 21st to be National
Aboriginal Day, offering Aboriginal peoples an
excellent opportunity to share their rich, diverse
cultures with family members, neighbours,
friends and visitors.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit people will gather
to celebrate and share with spectacular dance,
song and theatrical performances both
contemporary and traditional that will bring you
to your feet!
National Aboriginal Day is a fun-filled day for
the whole family to enjoy together.
National Aboriginal Day is an opportunity to
learn more about Aboriginal people and their
contributions to Canada. Share in the
Celebration!
(From the National Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development Website)
NWSD Aboriginal Ed
Committee
Tara Carter - Ernie Studer School, Terry Craig,
Jennifer Dorval, Gary Mirasty - Meadow Lake
Office, Lynda Erlandson - St. Walburg, Brenda
Knight - Turtleford Office, Karen Lavallee Jubilee, Gwen Muskego - Marshall, Jana Ross Flying Dust, Carmen Sperling - Ratushniak
Check Professional Resources
at www.nwsd.ca