Learning Opportunities

4th Annual Spring Gathering - Meet the Inuit: A Spring Gathering for Educators; Building Inclusive Relational Spaces for Reconciliation Education

Presented By

Mini Aodla Freeman, Goota Desmarais, Clint Chocan, Dan Nash & Etienna Moostoos-Lafferty

Series Sessions

Date Time
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, May 23, 2019 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Location

In Person Lakeland College Vermilion 5707 College Dr, Vermilion, AB

Program Highlights:

Weaving Ways supports teacher exploration of the histories, cultures, languages, contributions, perspectives, experiences and
contemporary context of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples
while engendering knowledge, understanding and respect. “Effective education that includes Indigenous knowledge systems does not exclude or discredit other cultures, but instead ensures that both non-Indigenous students and Indigenous students alike are given the opportunity to see perspectives, strengths, and gifts of the First Peoples reflected in the schools they attend” (Battiste, M. & Henderson, 2000)

Weaving Ways workshop is structured with for interrelated quadrants; Cultures of Belonging, Instructional Design, Pedagogy, and Sharing Through Story, which
teachers can utilize to organize their thinking and approaches. The structure supports teachers in designing meaningful teaching and learning opportunities that weave together Indigenous ways of knowing with Western pedagogical practices for the benefit of all students

Nunavut Animation Lab In the last few years the Canadian National Film
Board (NFB) has developed low cost, highly effective programs that fill the gap between the film and training schools and first professional production experience. Short film programs in documentary and animation have pioneered an integration of master classes and full professional production to train the next generation of artists and artisans. Such programs have allowed for innovative ways of involving underserved communities. the Nunavut Animation Lab, for instance, has nurtured emerging filmmakers in Indigenous communities. And they have done so in partnership with a range of other institutions, including provincial agencies, broadcasters and independent production companies. These programs are among the very best in the world.
They respond to a specific need, allowing new artists to develop their voice in a professional milieu. Tonight’s selected animated shorts will serve to introduce foundational Inuit knowledge and understandings. Deeper exploration and discussion will be guided by our Elder.

Introduction to Inuit Culture: Spend the day in an authentic Inuit summer
camp sharing in Inuit traditions. Inuit way of life evolved around the landbased resources of the North. With the limited resources of the harsh arctic environment, the Inuit demonstrated resilience and innovation. Discussion will also include southern contact changes and the North’s modern challenges. Goota Demarais passionately shares her culture through storytelling complemented by authentic Inuit artifacts.

HOT6 TALKS is an open community reconciliation event featuring a cadre of
performers who will share a wide spectrum of Indigenous perspectives in
a series of short “Rapid-Fire” conversation starter presentations. Topics will profile foundational knowledge and understandings, cultural celebrations, Indigenous histories and contributions, and contemporary reconciliation themes through art and song. Upon completion of the rapid-fire presentations, performers and community audience members are invited to “Meet and Mix” in conversation to further explore and expand the reconciliation topics. The mixer will be held in a venue providing refreshments and samplers of traditional Indigenous foods.

This learning opportunity is being offered through a grant from Alberta Education.

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