Aboriginal Shield“A New Beginning”

Aboriginal Education

Differing World Views

To follow the original instructions given by the Creator means that human beings must learn to live in a state of co-existence with all of their relations who are the other life forms present within the Creation. This is knowledge and skill which must be passed down from generation to generation.

To follow the original instructions given by God means that human beings must learn to dominate over the earth and all other living forms are for the betterment of the human being. This knowledge and skill must be passed down from generation to generation.Illustrations by Rebecca Chartrand,

Aboriginal Education Consultant, The Winnipeg School Division

Collective Worldview

Individualistic Worldview

Your worldview is shaped by your culture and experiences, and it affects every aspect of your life.People from different cultures have different ways of seeing, explaining, and living within the world. They have different ideas about what things are most important, which behaviours are desirable or acceptable, and how all parts of the world relate to each other.

Together these opinions and beliefs form a worldview, the perspective from which people perceive, understand, and respond to the world around them.

Aboriginal Studies 10 Aboriginal Perspectives

Worldviews

All First Nations and Inuit cultures share a strong bond with nature. Their “ways of being” are closely linked to the land. It is impossible to separate the foundation of all these cultures-their spirituality-from their connections to the land.

Why is the land so important in First Nation cultures? For some First Nations, Medicine Wheel teachings provide listeners with a means of understanding and improving themselves and their world from a spiritual perspective.

In First Nation and Inuit worldviews, the entire universe has spirit, and the Creator is present in everything. This worldview is typically represented as a circle.

Collective World View Influence

•Sacred Laws

•A Way of Life

•Values

The Seven Teachings

Since time began, First Nations people have had ways of living which sustained them. Each cultural group had their way of governing themselves. For the First Nations of North America (Turtle Island) in the area now known as Manitoba (manitdoo ha bey), the 7 teachings are sacred laws given to the people from the Creator.

The seven teachings are rooted in oral tradition and every effort to validate oral tradition needs to be included when using the seven teachings in learning models and lesson plans.

Oral Tradition:

An Oral Tradition is a culture’s collection of spoken words that have been handed down for generations…This tradition may include epic poems, prayers, speeches, spiritual teachings, songs, stories, and histories.

Repetition is a central part of the oral tradition. The words are heard many times through- out a person’s life… Eventually they become an integral part of an individual’s sense of identity and everyday life.Aboriginal Perspectives – Oral Tradition p. 38

Seven Teachings & Medicine Wheel

North

Mind

Reason/Purpose

Fire

Earth

Water

Air East

Spirit

Related

South

Emotion

Equality

West

Body

Non - judgemental

Love

HumilityCourage

Respect

Honesty Wisdom

Truth

Lessons

Elements of Thought

Information:

Data, facts, observations, experience

Interpretation & Inference:

Conclusions, solutions

Concepts:

Theories, definitions, axioms, laws, principles,

models

Assumptions:

Presuppositions, taking for granted

Implications and Consequences

Points of View:

Frame of reference, perspective, orientation

Purpose of the Thinking:

Goal, objective

Question at Issue:

Problems, issues

YOUTHADULT

ELDER INFANT

AFFECTIVEPSYCHOMOTOR

SPIRITUALCOGNITIVE

Circle Learning Model

Designing Lesson Plans and activities that will

incorporate the integrated models ensuring that it

follows the medicine wheel concept of head, heart,

hands and spiritual

ApplicationAnalysis

Evaluation

Synthesis Knowledge

Comprehension

Logical/MathematicalBodily/Kinaesthetic

Intrapersonal Visual/Spatial

NaturalistMusical

Interpersonal Verbal/Linguistics

Integration of Bloom’s Taxonomy and Multi-Intelligence Models (Learning Model)

Used with sensitivity to university intellectual standards

Clarity Accuracy Depth Significance Precision Relevance

Model of Curriculum Theory

1. Design foundation from circle learning

a) The Aboriginal Shield Program will be structured on the Circle Learning Model (attached)

b) All lessons must include the cognitive, affective, psychomotor and spiritual aspects of the wheel

c) All lessons will incorporate the philosophy of critical thinking (in circle learning model)

d) The lessons will be structured and function from the Learning Model (see attached)

e) Ceremony is an important part of reinforcing and facilitating learning as well as celebrating success. All programs upon completion must have a celebration

Model of Curriculum Theory

2. Design Lesson plans based on Bloom’s Mulitiple Intelligences

a) Multiple intelligence checklists and score sheet

b) Explanation of Bloom’s Taxonomy

c) Specific and detailed lesson plan format (i.e. attached

d) Pre facilitator lessons, facilitator lessons, follow up lessons and homework

e) Games and activities must be integrated with all lesson plans

f) Pre lesson evaluation

g) Post evaluation for each lesson

3. Evaluate from the 40 Assets Model, and try to hit at least 30 of the items (attached)

Principle Look (Seeing)What will we looking

at?

Listen (Hearing)What will we listen to?

Learn (Programming)What will we learn?

Live (Enacting)How will we behave?

To cherish knowledge is

to seek wisdom

To know love is to find

peace

To honour all of creation is

to have respect

Courage is to face life with

integrity

Honesty in facing a

situation is to be brave

Humility is to know yourself as a sacred

part of creation

Truth is to know all of

these things

Questions to ask about thePrinciples of Aboriginal Education

Adopted from Inner City Council Workshop: Principles of Aboriginal Education

Examples of books:

Love: Mama Do You Love Me? By Barbara M. Joosse

Humility: Sky Sisters by Jan Bordeau Waboose

Examples of 7 Teachings found in LiteratureThe following examples provided by:

Nichola Batzel: Aboriginal Education Support Teacher North District

Courage: Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Respect: A Name for Métis by Deborah L. Delaronde

Honesty: A Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch and Michael Kusugak

Wisdom: Hide and Sneak by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak.

Truth: The Rough Faced Girl by Rafe Martin and David Shannon

7 Teachings

By: Scott Boult Grade 516 Class Champlain School

Champlain School presents one of the teachings each month at an assembly.

This poster was presented at an assembly by a group of grade 5/6 students.

They also wrote and said a poem about love.

Learning Models

7 Teachings

Bloom’s

Gardner’s

Knowledge Comprehension Applications Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

Verbal/Linguistic

Visual /

Spatial

Logical / Mathematical

Naturalist

Musical

Bodily / Kinaesthetic

Intrapersonal

Interpersonal

Existential

List the seven teachings on flipchart paper with a picture that illustrates the teaching. Have the children count how many pictures there are

Awareness

List the seven teachings on flipchart paper with a picture that illustrates the teaching. Have the children count how many pictures there are

Experiential

Relational

Cognitive

Intuitive

http://www.wsd1.org/nijimahkwa/the7teachings.html

Code Of Behaviour

Knowledge - Love - Honesty - Courage - Honour - Humility –

Truth

Code Of Behaviour: Four Parts Of Being

Each of the parts make a personal whole and when balanced healthy

relationships are possible. The Code Of Behaviour are expectations that will ensure the potential for these

healthy relations. The Four Parts Of Being are Physical, Emotional,

Mental and Spiritual.

The Seven Teachings

To cherish knowledge is to find wisdom.

To know love is to find peace. To honour all of creation is to have

respect. Courage is to face life with

integrity. Honesty in facing a situation is to

be brave. Humility is to know yourself as a

sacred part of creation. Truth is to know all these things. The staff, students and parents of Niji Mahkwa have committed to

honour these Seven Teachings in their relationships with each other.

Grades:

Goal: For students to count to 7 and be exposed to positive imagery of Aboriginal people

Objectives (Outcomes): 5-KL-017 Describe practices and beliefs that reflect First Peoples’ connections with the land and natural environmentN-I.1.0 Counts the number of objects in a set

Materials: Flipchart paper, pictures from magazine, internet, etc., tape

Resources: - Wpg. School Division Aboriginal Education Staff to assist with any questions regarding lesson plan, resources, or cultural advisement- First Nations in Manitoba Traditions Guide

Steps in Lesson: a) Put pictures that represent each one of the seven teachings on a flipchart paper (pics of Aborignal people, positive environments) b) Ask students to comment on what they see in the picturesc) Ask students to count each pictured) Are there items in the pictures that could be counted?

Respecting oral tradition and teachings

Sense of cultural pride and identity for Aboriginal students; a sense of belonging

Fostering a sense of pride and appreciation for Aboriginal culture

Increased likelihood of success

Aboriginal Education

Background: About the Aboriginal Learner

• Aboriginal people have had to contend with a history of oppressive experience that has essentially worked to disrupt their aboriginal identity.

• Identity is ones sense of self• Prior to contact native socio-cultural

mechanisms were in place for meeting the psychological, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of the people.