Indigenous History & Worldview in the Classroom

If you've watched the news, been on social media, or have talked to anyone in the last month, you will most likely be aware of the horrendous and tragic findings of over 1000 bodies (and counting) found at former residential school sites across Canada. 751 of those bodies alone were found at the former Marieval Residential School site in Cowessess, Saskatchewan. (Click the photo below for the CBC article)

As an educator, I know the importance of teaching FNMI content in my classroom as well as teaching my students about Canada's history (both the good and the bad). Each year I teach my students about residential schools (which is something I didn't learn about until I started taking University classes) and incorporate FNMI content where I can. These recent findings absolutely break my heart. These poor babies never made it home to hug their families again. It disgusts me knowing that these poor children were treated the way they were, when I know the kiddos in my classroom are so loved, protected, and cared for when at school. After my very first Indigenous Studies class in University, my interest, passion, and love of learning about indigenous culture and history grew. I took as many Indigenous Studies classes as I could while completing my Education degree. From my classes, my own research, professional development opportunities, and talking with indigenous friends and colleagues, I continue to grow in my own knowledge of indigenous culture and history. I am not a very political person, and don't share political things on my social media, but this tragedy hits close to home and is something I feel passionate about sharing. This year I will be proudly wearing my orange shirt on July 1st in remembrance of all the children who lost their lives while attending residential schools in Canada.

A couple months ago, a dear friend of mine who is completing her degree in Education was working on a project and reached out to me asking how I incorporate FNMI content in my classroom. This sparked the idea for this blog post. I am in no way perfect, and there is always room to improve and grow, but below are some books and ways I incorporate indigenous content in my classroom:

Children's Books on Residential Schools:

Not My Girl- Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

When I Was Eight-Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

A Stranger at Home- Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

Fatty Legs-Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

Phyllis' Orange Shirt- Phyllis Webstad

The Orange Shirt Story-Phyllis Webstad

Shi-Shi-Etko-Nicola I. Campbell

Shin-chi's Canoe- Nicola I. Campbell

I Am Not a Number-Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer

Stolen Words-Melanie Florence

Children's Books on Indigenous Culture/Traditions:

Circle of Life Series from Nelson Educators

The Circle of Sharing and Caring-Theresa "Corky" Larsen-Jonasson

The Sharing Circle-Theresa "Corky" Larsen-Jonasson

Trudy's Healing Stone- Trudy Spiller

Trudy's Rock Story-Trudy Spiller

The Eagle Feather- Kevin Locke

Dawn Flight: A Lakota Story-Kevin Locke

The Hoop Dancer's Teachings-Teddy Anderson

Medicine Wheel: Stories of a Hoop Dancer- Teddy Anderson

The Moccasins-Earl Einarson

Changes- Penny Condon

Wild Berries-Julie Flett

Various Legends (Ex: How the Raven Stole the Sun, Why Turtle Hibernates, Why the Buffalo Has a Hump on His Back, etc)

Middle Years Book Suggestions:

7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga- David Alexander Robertson

Sugar Falls-A Residential School Story- David Alexander Robertson

Louis Riel: A Comic Strip Biography-Chester Brown

Encounter-Jane Yolen

As Long As the Rivers Flow-Constance Brissenden and Larry Loyie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian-Sherman Alexie

Personal Development Books:

Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience- Monique Gray Smith

Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom- Lisa Delpit

Indigenous Autobiographies (ex: Stoney Creek Woman-Bridget Moran)

Some Ways to Incorporate FNMI content into lessons/curriculum in the classroom:

Science: Use the medicine wheel when learning about animal life cycles and seasons, go on a nature walk, invite an elder to teach about plants and how they can be used for medicine, etc.

Social Studies: Teach about treaties, family and indigenous traditions, teach about the first settlers to Canada, teach students how indigenous people use the land, food, parts of the buffalo, etc. Learn about leadership in indigenous communities, compare and contrast indigenous communities, use the medicine wheel when learning about the stages of human development, etc.

ELA: Have sharing/talking circles, elder visits, learn about healing stones, use talking sticks, read books with indigenous content or books written by indigenous authors, read and retell indigenous legends, have a "Cree Word of the Day," etc.

Math: Play indigenous math games, use natural math manipulative (ex: rocks and sticks), learn counting in Cree, etc.

Art: Learn about local indigenous artists (ex: Kevin PeeAce), Metis dot art, etc.

Phys. Ed: learn hoop dancing, jigging, and attend Powwows within the community.

-Outdoor Education, participating and learning the history of Orange Shirt Day, Ribbon Skirt Day, round dances, tipi raising, smudging, bannock making, etc. are some other ways you can include indigenous content in the classroom.

I hope this post provides you with some resources and ways to include FNMI content into your classroom, as well as provide ways to help you educate yourself and your students on indigenous culture and history. There are a number of resources you can use, find, and research yourself. I have only included a handful of resources I have/will use and I am always looking for more! You can also take professional development courses/opportunities that include indigenous ways of knowing, incorporating indigenous content in the classroom, or Teaching Treaties in the Classroom courses offered by the OTC. This Fall I am taking a university course titled, "Decolonizing the Curriculum" for my masters program, which I am really looking forward to! You can also reach out to indigenous friends, family, colleagues, or elders in the community to gain more knowledge and understanding. Again, I am no way perfect and I am always looking for ways to educate myself. Being aware of curriculum content, resources, and people around you will help you incorporate these important topics in your classroom so our next generation can be and do better.

Remember- Every Child Matters.

XOXO,

Elle

Cover Photo by Andrew George of Manitoba, Canada