Indigenous Education and Environmental Issues in Saskatchewan - Resources
In the traditional teachings of the First Nations and Metis people, there is no separate category for "environmental education." All around Saskatchewan young people are learning about how to develop good relations with the earth through the traditional teachings and cultural practices of indigenous peoples. On this web site we do not try to outline the teachings themselves, instead, we have listed a number of curriculum resources that have been developed by indigenous educators for the classroom. In addition we provide a listing of organizations who you can contact for more information, and interviews with educators to provide some context.
Perspectives on Indigenous Education and teaching our young people about healing relations with the earth.
Interview with Darlene Spiedel
from the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre
Resources on Indigenous Education and Environment in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre -SICC Interviews with Elders
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Languages Site
Practising the Law of Circular Interaction: First Nations Environment and Conservation Principles
From the Brochure:
For more information or to order the kits, contact Darlene Spiedel at the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre."Practicing the Law of Circular Interaction is the First Nations accompaniment to Project Wild written from the perspective of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota Nations of Saskatchewan. The materials are organized around six fundamental Principles, which are representative of the perspective of Saskatchewan's First Nations.
To facilitate instruction of these Principles, a video and discussion guide is included for each Principle. Following each Principle are a number of activities designed to teach one or more of the sub-principles."Rekindling Traditions : Cross-Cultural Science & Technology Units (CCSTU) Project
Rekindling Traditions is a project undertaken by the Ile la Cross School Division. Elders, teachers, and curriculum developers from different schools came together to develop the materials. They describe the goal of the curriculum as follows:To make Western science and engineering accessible to Aboriginal students in ways that nurture their own cultural identities; that is, so students are not expected to set aside their culture's view of the material world when they study science at school.
There are units on:Office of the Treaty Commissioner - Educational Resources
The Treaty Information Kit was developed to assist teachers implement the topic of treaties in the classroom. This teacher resource was initiated by the Office of the Treaty Commissioner in partnership with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the Government of Canada, Saskatchewan Learning, Saskatchewan Indian Federated College, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre.
The individual units for Grades 7 to 12 are designed to complement the existing material in the subject areas of Social Studies, Native Studies and History. They were written to show both First Nations and European perspectives about the treaty relationship. The information provides general knowledge in the Grade 7 unit and, throughout the following units, endeavors to provide more detailed and specific information. Information on treaty topics range from the pre-contact history of First Nations people, first contact issues, the relevance of the past to the contemporary situation, and what is happening within the treaty relationship presently.
Aboriginal Themed Lesson Plans - Indian and Metis Curriculum Advisory Committee of Regina Public School Division #4
The Indian and Metis Curriculum Advisory Committee seeks to provide guidance for those educators who recognize the value of integrating Indian and Metis content and perspective in the classroom. This work is the product of continuing efforts of the Indian and Metis Curriculum Advisory Committee of the Regina Public School Division #4.First Nations University of Canada - First Nations and Metis Curriculum Units
This site features units on:- Traditional Plants
- Dances of First Nations
- Legends
- Dwellings
Gabriel Dumont Institute - Metis Curriculum Learning Resources
As part of the Metis Museum Project, The Gabriel Dumont Institute has published a variety of resources on Metis curriculum to promote the Metis Language and culture in schools. Includes a variety of units on Metis History, as well as Traditional Metis Lifestyle. The GDI has also produced and sells a number of children's books that reflect Metis culture in Saskatchewan.The Virtual Museum of Metis History and Culture - Gabriel Dumont Institute
National and International Resources
Sila Alangotok - Inuit Observations on Climate Change - Video and Teachers Guide
This video documents the impacts of climate change from an Inuvialuit perspective. On Banks Island in Canada's High Arctic, the residents of Sachs Harbour have witnessed dramatic changes to their landscape and their way of life. Exotic insects, fish and birds have arrived; the sea ice is thinner and farther from the community, carrying with it the seals upon which the people depend for food; the permafrost is melting, causing the foundations of the community's buildings to shift and an inland lake to drain into the ocean. In the fall, storms have become frequent and severe, making boating difficult. Thunder and lightning have been seen for the first time.Indigenous Environmental Network
"A network of Indigenous Peoples empowering Indigenous Nations and communities towards sustainable livelihoods, demanding environmental justice and maintaining the Sacred Fire of our traditions."Arctic Indigenous Youth Alliance
"Arctic Indigenous Youth Alliance (formerly the Dene Youth Alliance) consists of grassroots youth from across Denendeh and the Beaufort Delta (the Northwest Territories). It is structured to link, support, and network with other organizations that share common values and struggles at the local, national, and international level."