Worldviews: Observing Practice Activity
Total Time: Approx. 60 minutes
Participants view a 30-minute video of a professional development session on Our Words, Our Ways, a resource for teaching First Nation, Métis and Inuit students, and record their observations in a graphic organizer. Next, they use the talking circle strategy to compare Western and Indigenous worldviews.
The strategies in this activity can be adapted for Observing Practice activities in other topic areas. Word documents may be revised as needed.
Activity 1: View the Video Our Words, Our Ways
Handout: The Compass Rose: A Comparison of Indigenous and Western Worldviews 
Overview of video: Elders, cultural experts and teacher-participants discuss Indigenous worldviews at a professional development session on Our Words, Our Ways, an Alberta Education publication for teachers of First Nation, Métis and Inuit students. The Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium session was held in December 2009. (28:47 minutes)
Provide each participant with a copy of the Compass Rose graphic organizer. Ask participants to use the organizer to record aspects of Indigenous worldviews that they identify in the video.
Activity 2: Talking Circles
Materials: A stone or other object for participants to pass in the Talking Circle
Handout: Guidelines for Talking Circles
Often used by Indigenous peoples, talking circles are organized discussions on topics that have no right or wrong answer. The purpose is to share ideas and points of view, but not to reach a decision or consensus. In a talking circle, everyone has opportunity to express their point of view.
Give participants the handout on talking circles and review the guidelines.
To facilitate more focused conversations form groups of four or five participants. Ask participants to compare the worldviews expressed by speakers in the video to views of people with a Western worldview.
After 20 minutes, form a large group. Share your experiences in exploring Indigenous and Western worldviews.
