CONT524: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples: Understanding Traditional Teachings, Histories, Current Issues and Cultures, Part 1
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action document (2015) challenges teachers and administrators from K-12 to take a serious look at course content, classroom management approaches, teaching styles, and all other elements of the education system through the lens of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) viewpoints. To do this respectfully and authentically requires a deeper knowledge of FNMI histories, traditions, cultures, and world views than many teachers and administrators have hitherto been able to acquire through taking an Additional Qualification course. It requires guided relearning of what was thought to be "known" and exposure to the current reality of Canada's First Peoples. This course will help students do just that in a supportive environment in which questions can be asked and answers found together through a learning circle. This course will enable you to begin to respond to the Calls to Action in your classroom and your school.
Learning Outcomes
What You Will Learn and Do
In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to
- explore and enhance professional practices, critical pedagogies, knowledge and skills
- cultivate a professional culture in which FNMI ways of knowing, cultures, histories and perspectives are meaningfully and respectfully included in teaching and learning processes as valid paths to understanding the world
- design, apply and facilitate dialogue that integrates professional knowledge, skills and pedagogical stances
- develop professional efficacy, emancipatory practices and advances in the scholarship of teaching
- develop and engage in cultures of critical reflection and inquiry
- explore and gain new knowledge, refine professional judgement, and generate new knowledge for practice
- explore and evaluate strategies to collaborate with FNMI communities, individuals, organizations and education stakeholders to create safe, healthy, equitable, inclusive and appropriate school culture environments and curriculum
- investigate theoretical learning frameworks that might inform the design, implementation and assessment of programs and/or practices that include FNMI traditional teachings, histories, cultures and current issues
- explore the complexity and diversity of FNMI cultures, traditional teachings, histories and current issues within an international, national, provincial and regional context
Assessments
Module 1
Developing a Culturally Responsive Mindset
Module 2
Historical, Legal and Cultural Context
Progress Update 1
Module 3
First Nations
Module 4
Métis Nation
Progress Update 2
Module 5
Inuit Peoples, Culture and Nunangat
Progress Update 3
Module 6
Truth and Reconciliation
Module 7
Project-Based Learning
Final Report