Related Links
Issue 30
Related Links
Strengthening our Voices – Saskatchewan
Source: Saskatchewan School Boards Association – Research by Gabriel Dumont Institute
Summary: This resource serves as a guidebook for the Saskatchewan K-12 school system to strengthen the engagement of First Nations and Métis peoples in support of their children’s education, their school and their board of education. The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) has commissioned this resource to strengthen the engagement of First Nations and Métis peoples in support of the SSBA’s broad goal to speak as the voice of public education and to ensure that the wishes of the community are reflected in schools and are an integral part of decisions that shape the education of Saskatchewan’s children. The Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA) supports boards in this very important work. With the understanding that there are no quick fixes and that even the most promising practices depend on the people and the situation in which they are operating, this guidebook cannot offer solutions. It can, however, offer guidance as we examine what research says, look at promising practices and ask ourselves a number of key questions that will support our efforts to engage First Nations and Métis peoples in support of their children’s education, their schools and their board of education.
Issue 29
Related Links
First Nations History – Government of Saskatchewan
Source: Government of Saskatchewan- First Nations and Métis Relations
Summary: This site provides a brief history of First Nations people under the following categories:
Issue 28
Related Links
The Atlas of Canada - Natural Resources Canada
Source: Natural Resources Canada
Focus: History and Geography
Summary: There are two methods that may be used to study these patterns. The first is to look at Canada at a specific point in time. For example, the study of settlement patterns in Canada circa 1891 will look at such factors as where people live, their numbers, ethnic origin and occupations. The second is to observe changes to the spatial pattern over a period of time. For example, the map series concerning Aboriginal Peoples in Canada documents changes to the settlement patterns of the Aboriginal Peoples over time. This allows us to view the impact of European settlement on North America and the subsequent competition for the land and its resources.
What is essential to the study of spatial patterns is the requirement to reconstruct past geographies through an understanding of the cultures, economies and politics that governed the people and their relationships to each other and to their environment. This level of interpretation can only be derived from a detailed analysis of the historical record as provided by written documents, maps and archaeological studies. Historical geography plays an important role in learning about our country as it was in the past, thereby helping us to understand many issues which confront us today.
List of History Topics:
Issue 27
Related Links
First Nations in Canada - INAC
Source: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Summary: First Nations in Canada is an educational resource designed for use by young Canadians, high school educators and students, Aboriginal communities, and anyone interested in First Nations history. Its aim is to help readers understand the significant developments affecting First Nations communities from the pre-Contact era (before the arrival of Europeans) up to the present day.
The text has two parts. The first, “Early First Nations”, presents a brief overview of the distinctive cultures of the six main geographic groups of early First Nations in Canada. This section looks at the principal differences in the six groups' respective social organization, food resources, homes, modes of transportation, clothing, and spiritual beliefs and ceremonies.
The second part, “History of First Nations-Newcomer Relations”, traces the relationship between First Nations and newcomers to Canada from the very first encounter up to the government's historic apology in June 2008 to all former students of Indian Residential Schools. In this apology, the Government of Canada expressed deep regret for the suffering individual students and their families experienced because of these schools. The government also acknowledged the harm that residential schools and assimilation policies had done to Aboriginal people's cultures, languages and heritage.
Issue 26
Related Links
INAC Publications Catalogue Canada
Source: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Summary: Welcome to the INAC publications catalogue. Publications are free of charge and can be ordered for delivery by regular mail, also at no charge. Please note that some publications are only available electronically, in either an HTML or PDF version, for immediate viewing or download. Please note that the Department reserves the right to limit the quantity of publications that can be ordered.
Issue 25
Related Links
Resources for Teachers: Aboriginal Canada Portal
Source: Government of Canada
Focus: Teachers
Summary: This section of the portal offers links to culturally appropriate teaching sites, educational resources and lesson plans and activities throughout Canada.
Issue 24
Related Links
In Pursuit of Adventure: The Fur Trade in Canada and the Northwest Compan
Source: McGill University
Summary: Professional Development: In Pursuit of Adventure: The Fur Trade in Canada and the North West Company is a scholarly research site, which illustrates and documents, in part, the heroic age of the fur trade in Canada by examining the exploits of the North West Company and other Montreal-based fur trading companies at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth century. The story of the North West Company is closely tied to the evolving economic, geographic and political history of Canada and Quebec, especially after France seceded Quebec to Great Britain in 1763. At the core of this site are the full texts of thirty-eight manuscripts that are known collectively as the Masson Papers and cover the period ca 1790-1820. The patrimonial importance of these diaries is of the first order and provide important insights into the history of the North West Company and the fur trade in general.
Although the Masson Papers have appeared in print, first in 1889 and in subsequent editions, they appear here for the first time in a searchable full-text database. Of particular note is the fact, as is explained in the introduction to the Manuscripts, the transcription team has painstakingly produced what is in effect a new critical edition of the Masson Papers. This was no small achievement and this alone will be of enormous benefit to researchers.
To assist users of the site, particularly, students and the general public, we have included additional material including a specially commissioned history of the Fur Trade with special emphasis upon the activities of the North West Company, its evolution and eventual assimilation by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1821. Additional online tools have been included: a chronology, a glossary, a selected bibliography and a list of related web sites. We have included, when appropriate, images and maps to enrich the site. The creators of the site envision In Pursuit of Adventure a project in evolution and new material will be added when time and resources permit.
Issue 23
Related Links
Métis Nation of Ontario
Summary: The Métis are a distinct Aboriginal people with a unique history, culture, language and territory that includes the waterways of Ontario, surrounds the Great Lakes and spans what was known as the historic Northwest.
The Métis Nation is comprised of descendants of people born of relations between Indian and European people. The initial offspring of these unions were of mixed ancestry. The genesis of a new Aboriginal people called the Métis resulted from the subsequent intermarriage of these mixed ancestry individuals.
Distinct Métis settlements emerged as an outgrowth of the fur trade, along freighting waterways and watersheds. In Ontario, these settlements were part of larger regional communities, interconnected by the highly mobile lifestyle of the Métis, the fur trade network, seasonal rounds, extensive kinship connections and a shared collective history and identity.
Founded in the early 1990’s, by the will of Ontario Métis, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) represents the collective aspirations, rights and interests of Métis people and communities throughout Ontario. The MNO has a democratic, province-wide governance structure. Every four years Métis citizens have the opportunity to choose their provincial and regional leadership, by voting in province-wide ballot box elections.
In addition, Community Councils have been established throughout the province. They get their mandate to support local governance from the MNO through signed Community Charter agreements, and work collaboratively with the MNO and other Community Councils to represent the rights and interests of regional rights-bearing Métis communities throughout the province.
The MNO, through its province-wide infrastructure delivers a range of programs and services in the areas of health, labour market development, education and housing, to approximately 73,000 Ontario Métis and other Aboriginal groups. More than 150 people work for the MNO in 19 offices throughout the province.
Issue 22
Related Links
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Summary: The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is a nationally incorporated umbrella organization that represents the interests of its provincial and territorial affiliate organizations across Canada. Its head office in Ottawa is the center of operations for its elected executive of a National Chief and Vice Chief, an administrative core staff, program managers and coordinators, and consultants on a range of Aboriginal issues. CAP, itself, does not have individual memberships or provide programs and services directly to individuals. In effect, the "members" of CAP are its affiliate organizations.
The CAP national Board of Directors is composed of the national Chief, the national Vice Chief, and the President or Chief of each of the affiliated organizations. The Board meets several times a year to monitor and direct the activity of CAP. The Board is the decision making body of CAP between Annual General Assemblies.
The CAP Annual General Assembly is the body that sets the general policy of the organization and, through its motions and resolutions, determines much of the activity of CAP for the next year.
Issue 21
Related Links
Complete History of the Canadian Métis Culture: Métis Nation of the North West
Focus: Secondary students and teachers
Summary: The focus of this research is the North West Algonquian Métis culture, being distinct from the South West Mississippi or Missouri Métis, or the other Mixed Blood Peoples of America. The Red River of the North West, from a Canadian perspective, has been traditionally acclaimed as the cultural apex of the Métis culture. The Métis culture, however, finds its apex- not in the Red River- but in the story of the Grand Kitchi Gami (Lake Superior), also known as the 'Old North West'.
This site presents extensive research conducted on the Métis who are described throughout this research as a cultural tradition based on a premise of First Nation ancestry or adoption into that tradition.
Issue 20
Related Links
Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC)
Summary: The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) is a provincial Aboriginal organization representing the collective interests of twenty-nine member Friendship Centres located in towns and cities throughout the province. The OFIFC administers a number of programs which are delivered by local Friendship Centres in areas such as health, justice, family support, and employment and training. Friendship Centres also design and deliver local initiatives in areas such as education, economic development, children and youth initiatives, and cultural awareness. The Vision of the Aboriginal Friendship Centre Movement is "to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people living in an urban environment by supporting self-determined activities which encourage equal access to and participation in Canadian Society and which respects Aboriginal cultural distinctiveness."
Issue 19
Related Links
Métis National Council Historical On-Line Database
Source: Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta
Focus: Students, teachers and the general public
Summary: The Métis National Council (MNC) Historical Online Database is a web-interfaced database that contains textual information extracted from archival documents relevant to the historical Métis Nation. The website also contains high-resolution digital photography and scans of many of the original documents represented in the database. The MNC Historical Online Database allows users to access Métis related archival information, previously only available at Library and Archives Canada (Ottawa) or on microfilm.
Genealogists and Métis users of this website are able to construct Métis family trees using the documents in the database. Providing Métis users with access to their ancestors’ documents facilitates the process of cultural re-connection, identity reclamation, and nation building.
Issue 18
Related Links
Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin - The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre: Learning Centre for Teachers and Educators
Source: Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin is both a Non-Profit Corporation and a Registered Charity, established in 2002 through consultation with the First Nation's membership and agreement with the Council of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn,
Focus: Teachers and Educators
Summary: The Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin mission is to revitalize, reintegrate, enhance and protect the cultural traditions, customs, practices, heritage, language and arts of the Algonquin Nation. This site is full of information, digital presentations and narratives about the Algonquin people.
Issue 17
Related Links
Appendices of the 1979 Declaration of Métis and Indian Rights
Source: Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP)
Summary: CAP represents off-reserve Aboriginal and Métis people living in urban, rural and remote areas throughout Canada.
Issue 16
Related Links
Our Legacy: Kinanaskomitin
Source: Saskatchewan’s publicly-accessible archives
Focus: Teachers
Summary: This site is a co-operative initiative among several of Saskatchewan’s publicly-accessible archives. It contains material relating to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, found in Saskatchewan cultural and heritage collections.
It is primarily intended to increase the information normally available for archival material by providing access to descriptions of material at a file or item level. Where appropriate, some guides (finding aids) are also available. Although less comprehensive, the site also includes some published (library) and artifactual (museum) material. Please note that materials have been digitized based on consideration of known copyright, privacy, and particularly, cultural concerns.
Issue 15
Related Links
Answering the call: The 2010 inventory of Canadian university programs and services for Aboriginal students
Source: Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
Summary: This new report from AUCC provides an in-depth look at the innovative steps Canadian universities are taking to improve access and success of Aboriginal students in higher education.
The goals of the 2010 inventory initiative are to connect past and future, and give readers a contextualized glimpse of each institution, its programs, services, facilities and activities which have been designed to promote a healthy, rewarding, academic experience for Aboriginal students in Canadian universities.
Issue 14
Related Links
Canadian Directory of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Collections
Source: Indian and Northern Affairs in cooperation with the University of Saskatchewan
Focus: Students and researchers
Summary: The directory lists library and cultural institutions with collections related to First Nations, Métis and the Inuit in Canada.
This directory is compiled by the Library and Information Needs of Native People's Interest Group of the Canadian Library Association, the Departmental Library of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in cooperation with University of Saskatchewan Libraries.
Issue 13
Related Links
Links to Canadian Provinces Curriculum Sites
Source: The Canadian Foundation for Economic Education (CFEE)
Focus: Teachers and Administrators
Summary: To help improve the economic capability of Canadians, CFEE has a wide range of resources and programs including publications, multimedia, teacher training, curriculum consultation, and research. This particular site lists all the Canadian provincial curriculum sites in one location providing the opportunity to search for Aboriginal resources available in Canada through school boards.
Issue 12
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Aboriginal Links: Canada and the U.S.
Summary: An extensive list of Canadian and US Aboriginal Links.
Issue 11
Related Links
Inuit Cultural Online Resource
Focus: Elementary and Secondary students and teachers
Summary: The Inuit Cultural Online Resource is a site based resource created to provide a central location online to learn about Canadian Inuit culture. This site is designed to serve as a resource for Canadian school age children and their teachers. Its purpose is to offer new and different ways of learning about Inuit culture and what it means to be Inuit.
Exploring this site you will find a wide variety of topics and interesting resources. You will be able to watch videos on how to make Bannock, traditional Inuit bread, watch Inuit games, and learn more about a great rich vibrant culture.
Issue 10
Related Links
Sound Foundations for the Road Ahead: Fall 2009 Progress Report on the Implementation of the Ontario First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework
Ontario Ministry of Education
Summary: In January 2007, the government launched Ontario’s new Aboriginal Education Strategy to support learning and achievement for Aboriginal students and to raise awareness about First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples’ cultures, histories, and perspectives in the schools.
The Aboriginal Education Strategy was launched with the release of Ontario First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Education Policy Framework, 2007. The framework is the foundation for delivering quality education to all First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students who attend provincially funded elementary and secondary schools in Ontario.
This report provides an overview of the steps the ministry, school boards, schools, and community partners have taken to implement the strategies outlined in the framework and to support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student success.
This report is not intended to be an evaluation or an assessment of individual boards. Rather, it offers an update on the progress made to date, and shares recommendations on ways in which all partners can work together effectively to reach every student, build capacity, and raise awareness.
Issue 9
Related Links
Alaska Native Knowledge Network
Source: Alaska Native Science Commission
Summary: This site provides background information on the role and activities of the Alaska Native Science Commission as it relates to science research policies and practices impacting Alaska Native people.
The site is designed to serve as a resource for compiling and exchanging information related to Alaska Native knowledge systems and ways of knowing. It has been established to assist Native people, government agencies, educators and the general public in gaining access to the knowledge base that Alaska Natives have acquired through cumulative experience over millennia.
Issue 8
Related Links
Aboriginal Presence in our Schools: A Guide for Staff
Source: Lakehead Public Schools - Ontario
Focus: Teachers and School Board Staff
Summary: This handbook was designed to assist staff to support Aboriginal student success. First released in April 2007, the handbook provides background information on Aboriginal heritage and traditions, cultural teachings, celebrations, treaties, terminology, best practices and community linkages to Aboriginal community agencies.
Issue 7
Related Links
WWW Virtual Library: American Indians Index of Native American History Resources on the Internet
Source: Library and Archives Canada
Focus: Resources designed primarily to provide information resources to the Native American community and secondarily to the general community.
Summary: The information on this site is organized, insofar as possible, to make it useful to the Native American community and the education community. It is an online index of information sources that is made available to allow people to research their areas of interest. It contains a vast collection of current and archival information and resources from Canada and the USA and Mexico. The information presented here is the product of much cooperative work. The site is updated on a regular basis as more individuals make submissions to the site.
Issue 6
Related Links
Aboriginal Links: Aboriginal Canada Information Project
Source: The Aboriginal Network
Focus: Anyone interested in finding information on First Nations and their peoples.
Summary: The focus is mainly Canadian but, other links are provided where it is felt that it would provide assistance in research to First Nation Communities. These links are organized in a manner that will facilitate research and information on various topics.
Issue 5
Related Links
First Nations SchoolNet
Source: Joint project between Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC)
Focus: First Nations schools and Educators
Summary: In order to help educators manage the vast amount of information on the Web, First Nations School Net has provided a wide array of resources to support the integration of technology in Education. Its purpose is to support educators’ and students’ search for knowledge and resources, and encourage the further exploration of information available.
Issue 4
Related Links
Aboriginal Canada Portal
Government of Canada
Summary: The Aboriginal Canada Portal is a single window to First Nations, Métis and Inuit online resources and government programs and services. Topics covered include Aboriginal organizations, education, economic development, language, heritage and culture.
Issue 3
Related Links
Directory of Aboriginal Connections
www.AboriginalConnections.com
Focus: Anyone interested in learning more about Indigenous people
Summary: Aboriginal Connections is an electronic directory of all Indigenous groups worldwide. This particular link is related to Indigenous groups in Canada.
Issue 2
Related Links
Planning Guide and Framework for Development of Aboriginal Learning Resources
British Columbia Ministry of Education Skills and Training, Field Services and Aboriginal Education Team
Focus: All Elementary and Secondary grade levels
Summary: The Planning Guide and Framework includes best-practice examples from recent Aboriginal learning resources.
The Guide provides a brief overview of the process of creating a learning resource. It contains advice based on the findings and practice of other, experienced resource developers, and it provides tips on effective organization, research, writing, and production.
The Framework also provides some working materials that community researchers and writers can use to create their resource, including an open ended planning grid that will be helpful to any committee deciding what to include in the material from both historic and cultural perspectives.
Issue I
Related Links
Council of Ministers of Education Canada (CMEC)
Focus: Teachers, Educators and Education Policymakers
Summary: In 2004, CMEC declared Aboriginal education to be a priority issue deserving targeted activity. This commitment was reaffirmed in Learn Canada 2020, the framework that the ministers are using to enhance Canada’s educational systems, in which Aboriginal education was identified as one of the specific activity areas.
In establishing Aboriginal education as a priority, ministers have acknowledged the need to find new and varied ways of working together and in partnership with Aboriginal leaders and communities and with the federal government to improve outcomes for Aboriginal students at all levels of education.
The objective in Learn Canada 2020 presents the primary objective: eliminate the gap in academic achievement and graduation rates between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students by bringing together key stakeholders including ministers of education and Aboriginal affairs, national and regional organizations, and federal government representatives to discuss issues related to Aboriginal education. CMEC has two activities linked to Aboriginal education:
Aboriginal Education Action Plan and Summit on Aboriginal Education
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