Indigenous Pedagogy
Indigenous Pedagogy
Develop an understanding of traditional learning and teaching practices.
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Good teaching practices are found across all societies. Indigenous pedagogy has existed since ancient times and has endured and evolved to the present day. Effective pedagogical practices are recognizable across every First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural group and share many commonalities with current mainstream academia. In many cases, the terms and methods used are alike except for the terminology.
Simon discusses the week’s activities with his student teacher, Nathan.
Simon has 20 years of experience teaching at the Métis settlement where he was born and raised. Nathan, an urban Métis from Edmonton, has been co-teaching with Elder John, a trapper and hunter from the community. He is pleased to note similarities between Elder John’s methods and the concepts he learned in his university foundations class. Simon explains that as a traditional Knowledge Keeper, Elder John brings authentic experience to the classroom. His way of teaching, known as Indigenous pedagogy, takes many forms but it is based primarily on relationships that respect and include all participants.
Beaded in the floral style, this wild rose is emblematic of our shared Alberta heritage. With delicate buds and oval fruit, the wild rose is used by many First Nations, Métis and Inuit for medicine, food and decoration.
The short video clips on each petal are examples of Indigenous pedagogical approaches.
Flint Knapping
Trapline
Historical Site Visit
Winter Count
Reflection Statement
The meaningful education of children has an underlying purpose: to transfer knowledge for the preservation of one’s culture and society.
Reflecting on the Indigenous pedagogy presented, where do you find similar examples in your own practice?
Preservice teachers and their instructor discuss teaching and learning from Indigenous perspectives.
Elders and Knowledge Keepers in these interviews describe the benefits of holistic and intergenerational ways of knowing that can enrich any learning situation.
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Bernie Makokis | Plains Cree | Saddle Lake First Cree Nation
Bernie Makokis, Saddle Lake First Nation, discusses how imagery in stories helps children learn.
Tina Fox | Nakoda | Wesley Band, Stoney Nakoda Nation
Tina Fox, Nakoda (Stoney) speaker, encourages teachers to learn about Nakoda culture. The first 12 seconds of her interview is in Nakoda, and the remainder is in English.
Kathy Yellowhorn-Breaker | Siksika | Siksika Nation
Kathy Yellowhorne-Breaker, Principal of Siksika Reserve School, advises teachers to keep an open mind about accessing traditional knowledge as it can be very helpful to both students and teachers.
Bob Cardinal | Plains Cree/Nakoda | Enoch Cree Nation
Nakoda/Cree Elder Bob Cardinal talks about building bridges with teachers and employing a holistic approach in order to affect First Nations, Métis and Inuit student success.
Victor Prinz | Métis | East Prairie Métis settlement
Elder Victor Prinz advocates teaching a child’s Indigenous culture and language along with regular curriculum.
While Victor Prinz passed in 2008, we are privileged and honoured to still have his words to share.
Wilton Goodstriker | kainai | Blood Tribe
Elder Wilton Goodstriker explains how the grandparents’ role of teaching values creates a bond between the generations in his Kainai First Nation.
Beyond a Pedagogy of Fort
Dr. Dwayne Donald, Department of Secondary Education, University of Alberta, and four students from a spring session course on Indigenous curriculum and pedagogy meet in September. They discuss teaching and learning from Indigenous perspectives.
Select a resource type from the list.
Web Links
While some First Nations, Métis and Inuit experts have recommended these web links, they are not authorized by Alberta Education.
When Aboriginal and Métis Teachers Use Storytelling as an Instructional Practice. Melanie MacLean and Linda Wason-Ellam
A Métis researcher and a non-Aboriginal researcher collaborated on an exploration of the use of storytelling in the classroom. In a report from Saskatchewan Learning, they stress the importance of storytelling as a way of learning.
First Nations, Métis and Inuit Curriculum Collection. Faculty of Education, University of Lethbridge
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Curriculum Collection contains over 800 lessons and resources designed to help teachers incorporate First Nations, Métis and Inuit content into their teaching. Browse through the collection or search by subject area, grade level, topic, or culture. Introductory videos provide help in navigating this large collection.
Aboriginal Studies 10–20–30
This resource was developed in collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Elders, Knowledge Keepers and community members. The program of studies is for all students to increase their knowledge and understanding of the diverse First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and cultures across Alberta. Aboriginal Studies 10 focuses on communities in Alberta, their government, history and traditions. Aboriginal Studies 20 includes the study of policies, legislation, conflict and cultural change in Alberta and Canada. Aboriginal Studies 30 deals with current issues facing Aboriginal peoples worldwide, including issues of rights, self-government and land claims.
Aboriginal Studies 10–20–30 Alberta Authorized Resource List and Annotated Bibliography. Alberta Education
The 174-page authorized resource list provides descriptions of materials for use with Aboriginal Studies 10–20–30. Each resource is annotated and indicates the type of resource and availability.
Documents
While some First Nations, Métis and Inuit experts have recommended these documents, they are not authorized by Alberta Education.
Empowerment Through First Nation Control of Education: A Sakaw Cree Philosophy of Education. Dale Auger
Using stories, Dale Auger illustrates the main aspects of Sakaw Cree worldview and focuses on the critical importance of Indigenous knowledge, which he wants to be transmitted to future generations. He identifies common elements of Indigenous educational systems, such as Elders as teachers, the use of Indigenous languages for instruction and curricula that embodies the worldviews of First Nations, Métis and Inuit.
Way of the Tireless Runner: An Aboriginal Pedagogical Guide. June Kaminski
June Kaminski of University of British Columbia describes pedagogical concepts, including storytelling and story-making, Elders and formal education, Four Directions teachings, talking circles, and First Nations knowledge.
Talking Circles Protocol. Contemporary Issues Teacher Resource
Talking circles is a process that use First Nations, Métis and Inuit methods and consensus-building to share ideas and points of view. Guidelines for talking circles and a rubric for assessing participation are presented in this excerpt from Contemporary Issues Teacher Resource (Aboriginal Studies 30).
Aboriginal Pedagogy. Peoples and Cultural Change Teacher Resource
Spirituality is at the heart of Indigenous pedagogy. This excerpt from Peoples and Cultural Change Teacher Resource (Aboriginal Studies 20) presents foundational ideas, such as holistic learning, the interconnectedness of all things, the importance of connection to community and land, the dynamic quality of the world, and the role of oral tradition.
Worldviews and Aboriginal Culture. Our Words, Our Ways. Alberta Education
This excerpt from Our Words, Our Ways will help teachers gain an appreciation for the histories and cultural diversity of FNMI students and recognize the importance of reflecting FNMI cultures in the classroom through cultural continuity.
Learning Strategies for Aboriginal Students. Our Words, Our Ways. Alberta Education
This excerpt from Our Words, Our Ways applies common learning strategies to FNMI content. Graphic organizers (with masters) include fishbone, T-chart, Venn diagrams, Plus-Minus-Interesting charts, place mat and K–W–L charts. Additional strategies include cooperative learning, mind maps, think-pair-share, inside/outside circles, brainstorming, graffiti, walk about, three-step interview, jigsaw, four corners and independent study.
Assessment. Our Words, Our Ways. Alberta Education
Multiple approaches to assessment are presented to support the learning strengths of FNMI students in this excerpt from Our Words, Our Ways. Teacher stories and shared wisdom offer insights into use of these approaches.
Evaluating Resources About Aboriginal Peoples. Our Words Our Ways. Alberta Education
Students need accurate, objective information about FNMI cultures, contributions and experiences. This checklist from Our Words, Our Ways presents sample questions to use when evaluating a potential resource.
Recent Developments in K–12 Aboriginal Education. Education Is Our Buffalo. Alberta Teachers’ Association
This excerpt from Education Is Our Buffalo provides an overview of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework (2002), Blackfoot and Cree Language and Culture programs, the new Aboriginal Studies 10-20-30 program, and Aboriginal liaison workers. Also included are guidelines for teachers to incorporate First Nations, Métis and Inuit teachings into their classrooms.
Aboriginal Education for Aboriginal Peoples. Peoples and Cultural Change
Control of education provided to First Nations, Métis and Inuit has changed over the last few decades. This excerpt from Peoples and Cultural Change (Aboriginal Studies 20) surveys the major features of these changes, including the increase in local control and the training of First Nation, Métis and Inuit teachers.
Alberta Schools. Peoples and Cultural Change
First Nation, Métis and Inuit students have more choices for education than they did in the past. This excerpt from Peoples and Cultural Change (Aboriginal Studies 20) profiles two post-secondary schools, Blue Quills First Nations College and Red Crow Community College, and four secondary schools: Amiskwaciy Academy, an Edmonton public school; Kainai High School, a First Nations-operated reserve school; Father R. Perin School, a northern elementary school; and the Elizabeth Community School, a Métis Settlement school.
Storytelling as a Foundation to Literacy Development for Aboriginal Children. Anne McKeough and others
This article addresses early literacy programs for Aboriginal children. Oral storytelling acts as a precursor to reading and writing and as a traditional Aboriginal teaching tool. It highlights the need for culturally based literacy resources and involvement of community members.
Select a video from the list.
Supporting First Nation, Métis and Inuit Perspectives in the Classroom
Educators in Wetaskiwin School District talk about support for First Nation, Métis and Inuit perspectives in their schools.