Our project is a continued response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s recommendation as well as the the mandate of the Ontario Ministry of Education Policy Framework. For example, the Ontario FNMI Education Policy Framework is to close the gap between indigenous students and all students, as well as “all students will have knowledge and appreciation of contemporary and traditional First Nation, Métis, and Inuit traditions, cultures, and perspectives” (Ontario First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework, 2014, p. 3).
There are several First Nations connections to mathematics that we think we know (i.e., creation of traditional wigwams, creating quill boxes and beadwork) would require geometry skills as well as moccasin making focusing on patterning skills. Many of the indigenous art work can be found on traditional regalia demonstrating many connections to estimation, measurement, patterning and symmetry. Our project examined how we can deepen our understanding of math connections to indigenous art and perspectives.
Our teaching learning co-op group would like to deepen our understanding and knowledge of the indigenous ways of knowing mathematics and perspectives in order to explore the connections to math curriculum. We would also like to deepen our understanding of how to engage community members in the teaching and learning of mathematics to ensure their voices and culture is acknowledged.
Team Members
Jennifer Stewart
District School Board of Niagara
Tony Bianco
District School Board of Niagara
Lindsay Velocci
District School Board of Niagara
Todd Fazekas
District School Board of Niagara
Tania Foster
District School Board of Niagara
Ronda Menard
District School Board of Niagara
Professional Learning Goals
- Deepened our understanding of the indigenous ways of knowing mathematics and indigenous perspectives to explore meaningful connections to math curricula
- Deepened our understanding of how to engage indigenous community members in the teaching and learning of mathematics, as well as continue to build positive relationship with our education system and our indigenous communities
Activities and Resources
- Our teacher learning group first deepened our understanding of the indigenous ways of learning and indigenous perspectives, culture and traditions by listening to an indigenous artist share his story and creation of art
- Our teacher learning group engaged in conversations with an indigenous artist and a community member to gain a greater understanding
- Group meetings occurred on a number of occasions to collaboratively work and learn together to deepen and challenge our thinking
- As a group, we learned how to bead on a loom from a community member followed by discussions which explored the math connections
Unexpected Challenges
- We were fortunate not to experience any unexpected challenges
Enhancing Student Learning and Development
- This project could enhance student learning and developing by sharing indigenous forms or artwork and how they are connected to mathematics
- This project also enhances student learning in understanding indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing mathematics
- A slideshow was created to explore how transformational geometry and art can be combined. The teachers will use some of this slideshow to show students how transformations exist in certain art pieces, as a way of introducing the relationship between math and art. Since transformations work best with pieces of art that have symmetrical shapes and “hard edges,” we will explore Ray’s clan images (the small symbol images) as possible objects for students to rotate, flip and turn.
Sharing
- We plan to share and expand on our project through other teacher collaboration opportunities such as PLC, afterschool sessions and staff meetings
Project Evaluation
- Our project was a success and we look forward to continuing and extending our learning in the near future
- Our goal was to begin to explore indigenous art forms such as Raymond Skye’s art work and beading. Inviting the guest speakers into our sessions was invaluable and created great success in regards to deepening our understanding.