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Here are some resources that may help students deepen their understanding of war and peace.

Indigenous War Veterans

Picture from CBC News Article:  Decorated First Nations vet Tommy Prince embodied triumph, darkness of war. by Meagan Fiddler, Nov. 11, 2015.

 

 

The contributions of Indigenous War Veterans have long been under-reported and acknowledged.  Here are some links to resources that highlight the valuable and important contributions to war and peace keeping efforts by Indigenous Veterans.

The Memory Project from Historica Canada.

Indigenous Veterans from Veterans Affairs Canada

“I Love this Land” poem by Chief R. Stacey LaForme : Text of the poem and audio reading by Canadian actor R. H. Thompson.  Includes a link to R. H. Thompson’s project “The World Remembers”. (You can find a link here to full CBC interview on The Sunday Edition, Nov. 5, 2017.)

Aboriginal Veterans : Equal on the battlefields, but not at home (Gr. 9-12, ProD)

First Nations Veterans of Canada (music video [5:32]; music by Robbie Robertson; 2008; All Grades)

 

National Aboriginal Veterans Monument – National Capital Commission (1:22; All Grades)

More About Tommy Prince 

Tommy Prince, Canadian Hero of War (4:16; Gr. 6-12))

Honouring Indigenous Heroes : Tommy Prince Commemorative Project (5:45; Gr. 4-12))

 

SWSW Library Resources

 The Scout : Tommy Prince by David Alexander Robertson (Graphic Novel).  We have 11 copies and schools have class sets. See your school teacher librarian. (Historical fiction) [for grades 4-8]

SWSW Library Catalogue Record

 

 When the Spirits Dance by Larry Loyie with Constance Brissendan (Autobiography) [for gr. 6-9]

SWSW Library Catalogue Record

 

 

For King and Kanata : Canadian Indians and the First World War by Timothy (Non-Ficiton)[for Middle, High School and ProD]

SWSW Library Catalogue Record

 

 

 Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac .  We have 4 copies.  (Historical fiction) [for grade 9-12]

ERAC Review  You will need an ERAC account to read the full review.

Literature Circle Question Guide from Scholastic with Joseph Bruchac.

 

 

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden (Fiction) [for Grade 11-12 and Adults]

ERAC Review  You will need an ERAC account to read the full review.

 

Reading Guide

 

 

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  7 Sacred Teachings – Eagle Love

The Seven Sacred Teachings or Seven Grandfather Teachings have been passed down through time immemorial.  These teachings are common amongst many indigenous cultures, though the animal representations of them may differ depending on the specific culture.  These seven teachings offer instruction and guidance towards living life based on shared positive values.

In many First People’s cultures, the eagle is the chosen representation of the concept and value of love.

This year, the Aboriginal Advisory Committee is recommending a focus on the sacred teaching of Love for the 2017-2018 school year.  Artist Trenton Pierre has created the logo (shown above) for Siwal Si’wes Aboriginal Department to support this focus.

Resource Links

Books related to the Sacred Teaching of Love.  Elementary books.      Middle and High School books by David Bouchard:  Seven Sacred Teachings and Dreamcatcher and the Seven Deceivers.

Web link related to Eagles.   All About Eagles for Kids (FreeSchool Video)

Outdoor Education resources on MPSD Curriculum Connections.

Siwal Si’wes Library Catlogue.  Search resources in our physical library collection.

       

Books to learn about Sto:lo culture. Check these out on our SWSW Library Catalogue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation Action Invitation 

 1. Acknowledge the unceded Sto:lo Territory we live and work on.  The First People’s communities we can honour in this acknowledgement are Kwantlen First Nation,  Leq’a:mel First Nation, Matsqui First Nation and Sq’ewlets First Nation.  These are the unceded indigenous territories on which MPSD graciously lives and works.

2. Join our  Siwal Si’wes Book Club.  We will meet twice per term for 3 terms (Fall, Winter, Spring).  Suggestions for the first book are The Back of the Turtle by Thomas King or They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellers.  Our first one hour meeting will be 3:30 pm on Thursday, October 12 at Siwal Si’wes District Library.  Light snacks will be provided. Please email Ann at ann.titford@mpsd.ca if you are interested in being part of this book club. 

3.  Information to review and consider:  The TRC has produced a document outlining 94 Calls to Action that came as a result of their work and contributions of many many indigenous survivors sharing their stories. Several of these relate to education.

Call to Action # 63 :  We call upon the Council of Ministers of Education,
Canada to maintain an annual commitment to Aboriginal education issues, including:

i. Developing and implementing Kindergarten to Grade Twelve curriculum and learning resources on Aboriginal peoples in Canadian history, and the history and legacy of residential schools.

ii. Sharing information and best practices on teaching curriculum related to residential schools and Aboriginal history.

iii. Building student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.

iv. Identifying teacher-training needs relating to the above.

Events

Orange Shirt Day is on September 30, 2017.  Siwal Si’wes Aboriginal Department plans for Orange Shirt Day will happen on Friday, September 29, 2017 at Fraser River Heritage Park.  Please connect with your school’s Aboriginal Liaison Worker, your school principal, or one of our Aborignal Mentor Teachers for more information and details. SWSW Digital Library has many  Orange Shirt Day Resources for teachers 

Pro-D Opportnities

Pulling Together Conference will be held on October 20, 2017 at Heritage Park.  

BCTF Superconference (October 20-21) Indigenous presenters. (Key in the search term “aboriginal education”.)

UBC Mooc open for registration:   Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education  (October 17 to December 2, 2017)

Information:  Siwal Si’wes District Library Hours are weekdays 7:30 am to 2:30 pm.  If MPSD staff wish to drop by after these hours, please make arrangements with Ann via email ann.titford@mpsd.ca.

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Hot Topics

Who are the Métis People?

“Métis people are people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry and one of three recognized aboriginal peoples in Canada.” (1)

   ” [The Métis] is ….  a specific community of people — defined as the Métis Nation — which originated largely in Western Canada and emerged as a political force in the 19th century, radiating outwards from the Red River Settlement [in Manitoba].” (1) Map  (2)

 

“…. in 2016, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in the Daniels case that the federal government has jurisdiction over Métis people, and that both members of the Métis Nation and Non-Status Indians are “Indians” as defined by the Constitution Act.” (1) :

Picture of Métis leader Harry Daniels (3)

Curriculum Connections

Symbols of Métis People

 Métis Sash

Historically, the Métis sash had many uses: carrying items, coat tie, tourniquet, rope, towel, washcloth, saddle  blanket and more. (4) : Picture (5)

Colours on the sash have significance such as described here by Métis BC Nation .

Métis Flags

There is an important history related to the Métis flags that is very well told by Calvin Racette  in a video from the Gabriel Dumont Institute. Picture (8)

 

  Red River Cart

“Likely originating in both French and Scottish traditions, the Red River cart was constructed entirely of wood and was tied together with leather. It was easily repaired and was wonderfully adapted to prairie conditions; its two high, deeply dished wheels made it stable, and it could be drawn through mud and marsh. Wood and leather produced an ear-piercing squeal audible for kilometres. The cart was buoyant and could be floated across streams, yet it was strong enough to carry loads as heavy as 450 kg. Two shafts attached to the axle were strapped to a pony or ox.

The Red River cart was first used by the Métis to bring meat from the buffalo hunt and later in farm work.” (1) : Picture (7)

Métis Beadwork

“The Métis incorporated so much colour and decoration into their clothing that their craftsmanship became an art form. … The Dakota Sioux and Cree people, in fact, referred to the Métis as the flower beadwork people because of the preponderance of flower designs in their beadwork. Thus, floral beadwork has become one of the most distinctive symbols of the Métis.” (6) : Pictures (4)

Michif Language

“Michif is mainly a combination of Cree and French, but the language also borrows from English and other Indigenous languages, including Ojibwa. Michif is considered an endangered language, with probably fewer than 1,000 speakers in North America.” (1)

Book Club

All of the following books are available by request from our SWSW Library. Please email ann.titford@mpsd.ca or marcy.buell@mpsd.ca. Be sure to mention the school you are currently working with in your request.

Primary

The Métis Alphabet Book by Joseph Jean Fauchon

An alphabet book exploring Metis history and culture.

7 copies in our collection.

 

 

Elementary

The Flower Beadwork People by Sherry Farrell Racette :

A vibrantly-illustrated picture book telling the social history of the Métis.

23 copies in our collection.

 

Middle School

Riel’s People : How the Métis Lived by Maria Campbell

This book blends words and drawings to describe how the Métis lived and hunted; the houses they lived in; the clothes they wore and the food they cooked; what they taught their children and what they believed. The story culminates in the Métis rebellions of the late 1880’s led by Louis Riel and Gabriel Dumont.

3 copies in our collection

High School

The Métis : Memorable Events and Memorable Personalities by George and Terry Goulet

An insightful picture into the history, heritage and culture of the Metis people.

6 copies in our collection.

MPSD Staff

Indigenous Healing by Rupert Ross

Imagine a world in which people see themselves as embedded in the natural order, with ethical responsibilities not only toward each other, but also toward rocks, trees, water and all nature. Imagine seeing yourself not as a master of Creation, but as the most humble, dependent and vulnerable part.
Rupert Ross explores this indigenous world view and the determination of indigenous thinkers to restore it to full prominence today.

Copies on order.

Professional Development Opportunities

UBC MOOC, Free Course –  Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education : Advancing education in classrooms, organizations and communities through the teaching and learning of Indigenous ways of knowing. (Starts Tuesday, January 24th)

BC ORFF – First Nations Songs for the Classroom with Sherryl Sewepagaham : An interactive workshop learning and playing First Nations drum songs. (Saturday, January 21st)

MPSD2017 ProD – Three Crows Productions – Residential School Professional Development (Thursday, Jan. 19, 3:30 to 6:00 pm)

Mission District Professional Development Day – Several workshops related to indigenous education are being offered by our MPSD colleagues and some guests. Please check your yellow brochure for choices. (Friday, Feb. 17.)

References

1.  Historica Canada (The Canadian Encyclopedia online) found here SWSW Digital Library
2.  The Canadian Encyclopedia
3.  CBC News : Indigenous
4. Canada’s First Peoples found here SWSW Digital Library
5. Digital Journal
6. The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture found here SWSW Digital Library
7. Learn Michef : Métis Culture
8. Métis Nation of Ontario Region 4 : The Métis Flag

   Hot Topics

The Year of Truth (Sacred Teaching)

Perhaps one of the most important things we do as teachers and Aboriginal Liaisons in concert with parents, is to guide our students towards becoming themselves, towards creating a life balance true to themselves and the people in their lives. This 2016-2017 school year has been declared ‘The Year of Truth” by our Aboriginal Advisory Committee.  Each year will focus on a new teaching, last year’s focus being on the teaching of Courage.

This logo was created specifically for Siwal Si’wes by Eva Wieczorek (MPSD Intermediate Teacher and Aboriginal Mentor Teacher).  Daina Bonner-Cornell of Bear Image Productions created the artistic rendering of the logo.  Diana is Sto:lo and a member of the Tzeachten First Nations which is part of the Ts’elxweyeqw (pronounced Chilkwayuck) Tribe.

Turtle represents the sacred teaching of Truth. The centre circle holds a full year of 13 moons, with a female Elder keeping the wisdom inherent in the seven teachings. Surrounding them are images representing the other six teachings, the turtle’s shell encompassing and protecting them.   28 sections in the outer portion of the shell represent each day within each month.

Here’s an SWSW Digital Library  link about the Sacred Teaching of Truth.  Scroll down to the title. “The Seven Sacred Teachings”.

Curriculum Connections

Elementary Resource

The  Seven Sacred Teachings Unit created by an MPSD Teacher (Includes student booklet, teacher booklet and bibliographies of books for each of the seven teachings.)

Middle School and High School

The Quilt of Belonging :  SWSW Digital Library Link.  Scroll down until you come to the title.  After clicking on the link, choose “First Peoples in Canada”.  You can search any of the 70+ indigenous language groups of Canada.

Book Club

 The Back of the Turtle by Thomas King.  (2014 Governor General’s Award for Fiction)    Globe and Mail Review

“In The Back of the Turtle, Gabriel returns to Smoke River, the reserve where his mother grew up and to which she returned with Gabriel’s sister. The reserve is deserted after an environmental disaster killed the population, including Gabriel’s family, and the wildlife……Filled with brilliant characters, trademark wit, wordplay and a thorough knowledge of native myth and story-telling, this novel is a masterpiece by one of our most important writers.” –HarperCollins Canada

     A Sto:lo Coast Salish Historical Atlas, edited by Keith ThorCarlson.

“This superbly researched, groundbreaking historical atlas presents a history of the civilization and territory of the Stó:lo, a First Nations people. Through words, archival photographs, and 86 full-color maps, the book details the mythic beginnings of the Stó:lo people and how white settlement turned their homeland into the bustling metropolis of Vancouver. An important document packed with fascinating information, the atlas also makes a significant contribution to cross-cultural understanding.” —GoodReads

Professional Development Opportunities

SWSW Digital Library link to “Indigenous People’s Worldviews vs Western Worldviews”

 

Hot Topics

Orange Shirt Day : September 30, 2016

What is Orange Shirt Day?

Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School Commemoration event held in Williams Lake in the spring of 2013.  It grew out of Phyllis’s account of having her new orange shirt taken from her by St. Joseph’s Mission staff on her first day of school. This commemorative moment has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.  The date was chosen because children are back in school and teachers have time to plan for the day, and because it is an opportunity to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the year.  Orange Shirt Day is also an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and community agencies to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Videos

St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School Commemoration [3:00] (Recommended Gr. 4 – Adult)

 

St. Joseph’s Residential School Stories, including Phyllis’s account of how her new orange shirt was taken from her on her first day at St. Joseph’s.  Phyllis’s story is the namesake for Orange Shirt Day. [3:00 min] (Recommended Gr. 4 – Adult)

 

 

Canadian History and the Indian Residential School System [20 min.] (Recommended Gr. 10 – Adult)

“20 minute history of Canada and the Indian Residential School system. To provide historical context and intended as a prequel to the video Murray Sinclair Truth and Reconciliation. Developed for School District 27 Grade 5/10 History curriculum”

 

A Residential School Survivor shares his story of trauma and healing [4:30] (Recommended Gr. 5-Adult)

Places to Order Resources

SIX CENT PRESS INC.   for Buttons  Office. 604.216.0405   mailto:marlo@sixcentpress.com

Design by Tara-Lee Gardner    for T-Shirts (Tara is of Sto:lo First Nations ancestry.  (Partial proceeds will go to ReconciliationCanada.ca.

Dollar Dollar in Williams Lake, BC     for “Every Child Matters” T-Shirts  (Partial proceeds will go to the Central Cariboo Orange Shirt Committee)

Curriculum Connections

The Year of Truth

Siwal Si’wes Aboriginal Department is continuing a seven year journey of focusing annually on one of the sacred teachings. Last year’s focus was on the teaching of courage; this year, the teaching of truth.

To honour and commemorate Residential School Survivors, MSS is inviting MPSD students with their teachers to participate in Mission’s First Annual Orange Shirt Day March from MSS to Fraser River Heritage Park on September 30.  The truth of Canadian history will be recognized by particpants through the process of preparing for and participating in this event.

Click her for detailed information:  mission-orange-shirt-day-march     

Here are some books our Aboriginal Mentor Teachers have created lesson plans for.  These can be used in the lead up to the Orange Shirt Day March spearheaded by MSS, or at any time throughout the year.

        what-is-truth-betsy  (Lesson Plan, Gr. K-4)

 

 

 

 

         shi-shi-etko  (Lesson Plan, Gr. 2-12)

 

 

 

 

        secret-of-the-dance   (Lesson Plan, Gr. 3-12)

 

 

 

 

      and-still-the-turtle-watched   (Lesson Plan, Gr. 4-12)

 

 

 

 

Book Club

Books highlighted in this section will be available for borrowing from SWSW Library.  Simply request a copy be sent to you. (marcy.buell@mpsd.ca or ann.titford@mpsd.ca)

      “This book is about a terrible story. It is a story that involves great suffering, betrayal, love, sacrifices, loss, and redemeption. This book is also about a wonderful story, a story that involves faith, memory, comfort, forgiveness, sorrow and loyalty. It is also an unfinished story. It is a story about children.” — from the Introduction to this book. This book hosts stories told by people who attended St. Mary’s Residential School and told to the author, Terry Glavin.

 

As a Crown Attorney working with First Nations in remote northwestern Ontario, Rupert Ross learned that he was routinely misinterpreting the behaviour of Aboriginal victims, witnesses, and offenders, both in and out of court…….Dancing with a Ghost is Rupert Ross’s attempt to give some definition to the cultural gap that bedevils the relationships and distorts the communications between Native peoples and the dominant white Canadian society—and to encourage others to begin their own respectful cross-cultural explorations. As Ross discovered, traditional perspectives have a great deal to offer modern-day Canada, not only in the context of justice but also in terms of the broader concepts of peaceful social organization and personal fulfillment.

 

During a three-year secondment with Justice Canada, Rupert Ross travelled from the Yukon to Cape Breton Island, examining—and experiencing—the widespread Aboriginal preference for “peacemaker justice.” In this remarkable book…… He shares his confusion, frustrations and delights as Elders and other teachers guide him, in their unique and often puzzling ways, into ancient visions of Creation and our role with it.  Returning to the Teachings is about Aboriginal justice and much more, speaking not only to our minds, but also to our hearts and spirits. Above all, it stands as a search for the values and visions that give life its significance and that any justice system, Aboriginal or otherwise, must serve and respect.

Professional Development Opportunity

 First Nations Education Steering Committee Annual Conference (FNESC) Nov. 24-26 in Vancouver, BC.

 

 

Hot Topics 

Are you wanting to learn more about FNMI culture and Canadian history that includes FNMI perspectives? Here are some recommendations  you can view, read and consider over the summer.

 

Culture

Students from SD 48 (Sea To Sky) tell of their experiences of leadership and cultural pride from being involved in this program.

After studying about indigenous culture and community in their area, students from SD 48 (Sea to Sky) created this video.

Indian Residential Schools (IRS)

Heritage Minute : Chanie Wenjack, uploaded June 20, 2016. The script was written by author Joseph Boyden.

CBC’s The National telling of the making of “Heritage Minute: Chanie Wenjack”.

New Heritage Minute explores dark history of Indian residential schools (CBC News):  Article giving background information to the making of this video. Embedded clickable links with more information, including a connection to a Joseph Boyden interview about his book The Orenda, and a link telling the history of IRS “by the numbers”.

Professional Development

Book Club

Raven’s Greatest Creation by David Bouchard.  Includes a CD where the story is read in Ojibwe, English, and French.  A synopsis of this story can be found at Strong Nations Publishing.  (SWSW Library has 1 copy for summer borrowing.) Master storyteller David Bouchard’s own dreamed creation story.

 

 

Amongst God’s Own : The Enduring Legacy of St. Mary’s Mission by Terry Glavin and Former Students of St. Mary’s and published by Longhouse Publishing.  A clear telling of local Mission history that relies on thorough research and authentic voices. (SWSW Library has 8 copies for summer borrowing.)

 

 

Curriculum Connections

Cedar tree used as a learning tool in Nanaimo high school : Article from Nanaimo News Bulletin, 06.09.2016.

 

 

 

Resources for Integrating Aboriginal Ways of Knowing and Learning : ERAC has pulled together resources to show how  curriculum areas can be integrated together.  Lays out specific redesigned curriculum Big Ideas, Competencies, and Content.

 

 

Hope you find these offerings helpful to you.

Have a wonderful summer, everyone.

E’swa siyaye (yours in friendship),

Siwal Si’wes Library Staff

 

  Hot Topics

National Aboriginal Day : June 21, 2016

        

 

 

 

What is National Aboriginal Day?

National Aboriginal Day : Honouring Our Past, Building Our Future video

How did National Aboriginal Day start?

20th Anniversary : History of Aboriginal Day video

What does National Aboriginal Day mean to you?

NAD Video from 2010

NAD Video from 2012

Aboriginal Day Events:  There will be celebrations throughout the Lower Mainland and  in Mission.

Here are some events you can attend.

Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission BC : Tuesday, June 21, 2016 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Trout Lake, Vancouver BC : Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Educational Unit Plan

Storytelling

Traditional storytelling is “used to teach about cultural beliefs, values, customs, rituals, history, practices, relationships, and ways of life. First Nations storytelling is a foundation for holistic learning, relationship building, and experiential learning.” (First Nations Pedagogy Online. Storytelling accessed 07.06.2016)

Here are some stories for borrowing.

People of the Land : Legends of the Four Host First Nations :  Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh : Beautiful photographs of recognizable places in BC compliment the traditional stories from each nation.  Text accompanying each story is minimal, leaving lots of white space on each page.  Each story reflects the importance and significance of land to First Nations people. (Gr. 4-12)

 

Raven’s Greatest Creation by David Bouchard : A story dreamed by this master storyteller.  It tells of how Raven creates a new animal, and gives the responsibility of teaching this new being to the animals. Each animal – bear, eagle, wolf, cougar, buffalo, etc. –  has a special quality to offer this newly created life. A CD of readings of this story in Ojibwe, English and French accompanies the book. (Gr. K-12)

 

 

 

Books by Robert James Challenger : Following are several books of original short stories by this prolific author.  Each story is a page or so long, and is accompanied by a simple picture.  Challenger’s stories are told in traditional First Nations form.  Each includes an animal, it’s environment and a teaching of one kind of another. (Gr. 2-8)

 

 

          

 

SWSW Digital Library Resources

Oral Story Telling

We have a section under the menu item “Meaningful Contributions” devoted to FNMI oral traditions. Here, you will find stories being told, and pedagogy and Pro-D about traditional stories and storytelling.

First Peoples Principles of Learning

Many of us in our MPSD Learning Community are familiar with the 9 First Peoples Principles of Learning.  Joanne Chrona is the Curriculum Coordinator for FNESC (First Nations Education Steering Committee) and has created this website to support a deepening of teachers’ understanding of these 9 FPPL.

 

Hot Topics

 

Personal Learning and Pro-D Opportunity

How can I even start to learn about First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures and history? There is so much to learn about and understand!

The Alberta Government’s Education Department has created an excellent digital resource for this purpose. It’s called “Walking Together” and includes an interactive resource as well as a discussion guide to go with. This resource is an Aboriginal Education Pro-D, either on your own or with colleagues.

It is an excellent place to begin a personal study of FNMI culture and history, or to deepen your current understandings. (Please remember that digital learning is a place to start. Talking with and asking questions with Elders and FNMI community members will provide practical and real understanding of digital content.)

We have this link in our SWSW Digital Library.  Visit the  Learning Models page.  Scroll down until you see the section “Walking Together”.

Photo credit: Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat PEI

Educational Unit Plan Resources

Métis Artifacts

We have found samples of Métis artifacts that we have packaged for borrowing and sharing with your students. Here are some items we have.

Here is a link to The Virtual Museum of Métis History and Culture.

SWSW Digital Resources

Check these out……

“Indigenous Peoples Worldviews vs Western Worldviews”  Article by Bob Joseph, Jan. 26, 2016. Found in Educational Blogs in the SWSW Digital Library.

Also, “Different Ways of Knowing the World” video : (Scroll down to find this title.)