Traditional Algonquin Knowledge and Wellness for Newcomers and Their Teachers

Resources Used

Resources from Tungasuvvingat Inuit was used in the project in the first PD session.

The Provincial Subject Association for teachers of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies and Indigenous languages is welcoming to all teachers interested in culturally authentic education. It has many great resources we considered.

http://fnmieao.com

The International Fund for Animal Welfare’s Northern Dog Curriculum Project was a source of some information adapted for the teacher PD session resources.

https://www.ifaw.org/canada

The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre near Pikwakanagan, Anishinabeg is a centre that has online resources for teaching about the Algonquins of Eastern Ontario. There are lessons, and an online glossary of Anishinabemowin words and other resources.

https://www.thealgonquinway.ca/index-e.php

The website of Algonquin elder and author, Albert Dumont.

http://albertdumont.com/

Interview with Algonquin author, Rick Revelle.

https://www.dundurn.com/news/interview-rick-revelle-author-i-am-algonquin

Newspaper article about Algonquin author, Rick Revelle.

http://www.thewhig.com/2015/10/08/revelle-writes-about-his-algonquin-roots

A brief overview of the multiple intelligences theory, originally published by Howard Gardner in 1983. It supports the need for diverse approaches to teaching all learners including Indigenous adults and ELLS who are newcomers to Canada.

http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html

Dumont, Albert, et al. AninaÌTigo-AniÌBiÌShan Kichi-Makwang = The Maple Leaves of Kichi Makwa = Les Feuilles D’eÌRable De Kichi Makwa. Turtle Moons Contemplations, 2011.

This children’s picture book by an Algonquin elder and author is trilingual in Algonquin, English and French and is being used in the ESL BO.

Dumont, Albert. Of Trees and Their Wisdom: Poetry and Short Stories. Turtle Moons Press, 2009.

This book by Algonquin elder and author, Albert Dumont, has short stories and poetry. The book is organized in four themes: Maple, Birch, Pine and the Forest. It is used in the BO and DO courses.

Revelle, Rick. I Am Algonquin: An Algonquin Quest Novel. Dundurn, 2013.

This novel by an Algonquin author who is from Ardoch First Nation is used in the ESL DO course. See the unit plan and handouts that relate to it and other Indigenous literature.

Pendziwol, Jean E. and Debon, Nicolas. The Red Sash. Groundwood Books, 2017.

The Red Sash is a children’s picture book about a Métis family and is being used in ESL AO/BO combined courses.

Lane, Phil, et al. The Sacred Tree. Four Worlds International, 2012.

A reference for teachings that inform wellness in life, including medicine wheel teachings.

Landon, Rocky and MacDonald, David. A Native American Thought of It: Amazing Inventions and Innovations. Annick Press, 2008.

This book is a valuable resource in understanding key traditional knowledge and was used by the teacher of the ESL DO unit.

Amant, Deb St. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Success. Pearson Canada, 2014.

This is from the Teacher Education Series by Pearsons Post Secondary and was written by an Indigenous educator in Ontario and co-ordinated with assistance of FNMIEO.

Switzer, Maurice. “We Found Somebody.”

This newspaper article by Nippissing First Nation writer was used in the ESL DO course.

This speech entitled “We Walked to Something” was by Joseph Boyden and is used in the ESL DO unit.

https://www.mheducation.ca/web_resources/sch/BOYDE_WALK_TO_MORNING.pdf

“An Uncertain Journey on a Jagged Road” by Forrest Rain Shapwaykeesic (a personal opinion) is used in the ESL DO course.

https://prezi.com/gqldhfhveuuf/an-uncertain-journey-on-a-jagged-road/

Culture by Design by Ronald Everett Green is an autobiography used in the ESL DO course.

Mishenene, Rachel A., and Pamela Rose Toulouse. Strength and Struggle: Perspectives from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in Canada. McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 2011. This book has many different forms of contemporary literature by Indigenous authors. We use this in several courses.

In ESL DO, we are using:

“Waawaate Fobister: A Shining Star” by Lisa Charleyboy
“An Afternoon in Bright Sunlight” by S. Bruised Head (short story)
“3740166701” by John Adrian McDonald (poem)
“The Amazing Sense of Shake” by Cherie Dimaline (short story)
Of Trees and Their Wisdom: Poetry and Short Stories by Albert Dumont (assorted poems from the “Forest” section)

We used this curriculum guide from the MOE.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/secondary/esl912currb.pdf

This is Ontario First Nation, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework referred to in materials from the second PD session.

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/aboriginal/fnmiFramework.pdf

A copy of the document from the National Indian Brotherhood, published originally in 1972 is at this link. It was referred to in our second PD session.

http://www.oneca.com/IndianControlofIndianEducation.pdf

This web link has several links to key government documents revelant to Indigenous education in Canada including the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015) and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (1995), both relevant to Indigenous education.

https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1307458586498/1307458751962

This website has a search engine to search for images, films, etc. that are provided copyright-free by the creators or are in the public domain. It was used to find images for the handouts from ESL BO.

http://creativecommons.org

Resources Created

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20. TLC-17-307 ESLBO Sample Lesson plan by M. Boyle

This is a sample lesson plan for ESL BO, organized by both medicine wheels. It is the first one in a unit focused on the literature by Albert Dumont, Algonquin author and elder.

21. TLC-17-307 ESL BO-Literature Glossar

Glossary of literature terms for the BO unit.

22. TLC-17-307 ESL BO Handout on Short Story by author Albert Dumon by M. Boyle

These handouts relate to a short story by Albert Dumont, Algonquin author. It connects to grammar and the sample unit plan.

23. TLC-17-307 ESL BO Handout on Maple Non-fiction by M. Boyle

This handout is for the second set of lessons and helps newcomers understand how the maple tree is used both in modern and traditional ways.

24. TLC-17-307 ESL BO Handout on Oral Storytelling and pictographs by M. Boyle

This is the third handout set relating to Algonquin pictographic language and oral storytelling.

1. TLC-17-307lfinalessonplantemplate

This is a lesson planning template based on prior work by Marg Boyle. We have updated and refined it. It is a work in progress towards creating a framework for writing lesson plans that meet MOE expectations at the same time as incorporating ITK and Indigenous pedagogical pratices.

10. TLC-17-307Assessing Indigenous Resources

This handout was provided in PD 2 session to introduce teachers as to how to assess potential resources to ensure they are authentic and culturally safe. This was originally developed for a board-wide PLC at OCDSB.

11. TLC-17-307 Providing Context for Teaching Practise

This is a short overview of First Nations education in Canada. It is an adaptation of a History of First Nations Education created for https://www.ifaw.org/canada.

12. TLC-17-307 CRIE

This is a short overview of Culturally Responsive Indigenous Education. It is an adaptation of a resource originally created for https://www.ifaw.org/canada. It is an adaptation of a History of First Nations Education created for https://www.ifaw.org/canada.

25. TLC-17-307 ESL BO kakinanidodemmedicinewheel

The Kakina ni dodem – We are all connected medicine wheel we used is related to our understanding, empathy and responsibilities for self, family, community and the natural world. This blackboard version was created in Marg's ESL BO class. Students from other parts of the world had much understanding of this connectedness!

26. TLC-17-307 ESL BO compound noun anchor charts

Detail of the anchor charts co-created with students in Marg's ESL BO class on nouns, proper nouns and compound nouns, as well as compound words.

27. TLC-17-307 ESL BO pronounanchorcharts

Two of the pronoun anchor charts co-created with students in the ESL BO class to reflect on when looking at Albert Dumont's short story.

28. TLC-17-307 ESL BO anchor chart for lesson on maple water

Co-created anchor chart to allow students to better understand how maple trees produce sap and to ensure they knew the vocabulary introduced in the article on Maple Water.

29. TLC-17-307 ESL BO Balancemedicinewheel

Balance Medicine Wheel – spirituality, emotional well-being, physical health and intellectual development created with students in ESL BO as part of Maple Water lessons.

30. TLC-17-307 ESL BO sketchdonewhilestudentsdrawingfromoralstory

This visual was created during a "teachable moment" when students were supposed to find a maple leaf and a maple seed. A few brought back dandelions as well. This quick sketch allowed them to learn about the traditional uses of the dandelion plant for food and medicines.

2. TLC-17-307sample of prior handout ITK Tree as a symbol in First Nations cultures

This is a sample handout provided to participants in our first PD session as a sample on how to incorporate ITK into a reflective activity.

3. TLC-17-307Acorn and the Oak tree

Handout part of an integrative activity in the first semester of the project. Used in ESL BO course as a series of activities on oral storytelling and diversity of Indigenous nations. This was provided to other educators in the project during PD 1 session.

13. TLC-17-307 Effective Teaching Methods

This outline of effective student success strategies for Indigenous students has been considered in reference to newcomer ELLs as well. It is an adaptation of a Histoy of First Nations Education created for https://www.ifaw.org/canada

14. TLC-17-307mazinawrock copy

This copyright free photo of Mazinaw Rock in Algonquin territory is used in one handout in the ESL BO Albert Dumont unit. It is at Mazinaw Lake in Algonquin traditional territory.

15. TLC-17-307 medicinewheelgenocidepaintedinpsedarkbluebackground (1)

This illustration of a medicine wheel of balance in wellness was digitized from a painting by Marg Boyle. It was used at an OCDSB conference on genocide in 2016 on the branding as a logo. See handout on medicine wheels for an understanding of how Mi'gmaq traditional designes were used to create a representation of the four directions on this medicine wheel, which we used as a foundation for curriculum planning. Marg originally received the teaching of balance from Jan Longboat of Six Nations in 2005 at a service providers workshop at Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa. This Mohawk elder did not refer to it as a medicine wheel. It is structured this way in other cultures.

16. TLC-17-307introsentencesAlgonquin

We hope to create a package of readings about Algonquin unceded territory to go with the morning announcement that is read out over our PA system, acknowledging the territory on which we live, study and work. This is a start to that package which will integrate ESL Expectations with Algonquin content.

17. TLC-17-307 ESL AO/BO The Red Sash by Igor T.

This pre-reading set of activities was prepared by Igor Tesanovic as part of this project. It utilizes the medicine wheel of Kakina ni Dodem – all our relations to structure the students' understanding of this book written by Jean E. Pendziwol and illustrated by Nicolas Debon. At Adult High School, we teach an intensive two-credit course for AO/BO which is two periods a day for one semester. This children's book is being used with that course.

18. TLC-17-307 ESL DO First Nations Unit by Colin F.

This unit plan by Colin Finlayson is for ESL DO and connects to several literary pieces including work by Albert Dumont and Rick Revelle who are both Algonquin. This unit plan uses the Medicine wheel of Kakina ni Dodem as a foundation for considering one's wellness through connections to: self, family, community and the natural world.

4. TLC-17-307introindigenousdefinitions

This is the PDF file of a PowerPoint updated to teach students basic terminology such as Indigenous, First Nations, etc. as well as to make them aware of the diverse contributions of Indigenous people.

5. TLC-17-307Genocide Circle copy

This simple diagram from a prior group of learners was used in PD 1 to show teachers how there is evidence of genocidal practices that have impacted on the well-being of Indigenous nations within the borders of what is not referred to as Canada.

6. TLC-17-307Cultural Genocide Circle copy

This simple diagram from a prior group of learners was used in PD 1 to show teachers how there is evidence of purposeful oppressive practices that have impacted on the well-being of Indigenous nations and their retention of ITK, as a result of cultural genocide.

Anchor chart from prior PD on how genocide has created forms of inter-generational trauma.

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