Our Voices (tə sʔa:nɬ šxʷqʷəltən)

Aboriginal Culture Kits available for loan

2012-01-31T15:09:00.000-08:00

Aboriginal Culture kits are now available for loan from the DRC. These kits are suitable for primary grades and two of the kits contain books for the French Immersion classes. The kits are meant to be integrated into an area of study rather than to be used on its own as a stand alone unit. By presenting the materials to the children, you can explore ways to use the kits together.
Here are the titles of the Aboriginal themes kits:
Environment/Aboriginal Culture
Family/Community/Aboriginal Culture
Raven/Aboriginal Culture
Eagle/Aboriginal Culture (French books included)
French Aboriginal Culture
Animal/Aboriginal Culture
Alphabet/Aboriginal Culture

Circle of Learning Resource

2012-01-18T11:44:00.000-08:00

Here are some great elementary level lessons on First Nations culture that are available on-line as well as in hard copy. The resources are free and are available in both French and English. The resources can be ordered on-line from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.These lessons are appropriate for ages 4-14.

The Learning Circle (ages 4-7) (parts 1 and 2)
English pt1
English pt2
French

The Learning Circle (ages 8-11)
English
French

The Learning Circle (age 12-14)
English
French

Pathways newsletter - January 2012

2012-01-13T12:30:00.000-08:00

Check out the latest newsletter from Pathways Aboriginal Centre. You will find information on upcoming events such as the Leadership Retreat being held this weekend at Loon Lake or the Moccasin Making workshops being offered at Pathways. Find out more by clicking on the newsletter below.

Jan 2011 Final

January Family Night

2012-01-13T12:07:00.000-08:00

This month's Family Night, hosted by Pathways Aboriginal Centre and the Richmond School District, will be held at Hugh Boyd Secondary School on January 25 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Please join us as we eat together, do some crafts and put together a cook book.

January Family Night

Pathways Family Night

2011-11-29T23:17:00.000-08:00

Come and join us at the November family night at Pathways Aboriginal Centre located on Alderbridge Way. There will be a family night once a month so please watch for more details!

Nov Family Night

Pathways newsletter - December 2011

2011-11-29T23:01:00.000-08:00

Here is the December newsletter of Pathways Aboriginal Centre. Please check out the calendar of events and the homework club that is new this year!

Winter 2011 Final 2

Brighouse School Grand Opening

2011-11-18T14:43:00.000-08:00

Brighouse Elementary School had their Official Grand Opening on Friday, October 28, 2011.

A giant Talking Stick carved by Musqueam artist, Joe Becker, was installed in the front foyer of the school and marked this special occasion. Joe was present to open the Ceremony as well as to talk to the guests about the significance of the talking stick.

Today, one of the most important lessons to be taught is to listen carefully when someone is speaking. The talking stick was traditionally used in council meetings to insure order and organization. The person holding the stick in the circle was the only one permitted to speak. The animals carved in the talking stick each represent the values of the Brighouse community.

For more detail on the artist and his work, please view the video below and click the following link for more information on the Opening of Brighouse school:

Arrival of the Talking Stick at Brighouse

SD#38 (Richmond) signs its first Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement!

2011-06-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

It was indeed an exciting day in the life of the Richmond School District!

On Tuesday, June 21, 2011, School District #38 (Richmond) signed their first Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement (AEEA).

This Agreement will be the vehicle, which will enhance the learning of all students in the District so that all of us, educators, students and families may have some knowledge about the history and culture of Aboriginal peoples. The AEEA is the result of the intense collaborative work over the last four years involving many dedicated people and stakeholders who make up the AEEA Committee.
Traditional songs and dances, some of which were performed by our students in the District, entertained students, teachers, district administrators and personnel, community members, the MLAs for Richmond, the Richmond Board of Education, and the Minister of Education.

Elder Mary Charles from the Musqueam Indian Band opened the Signing Ceremony, held at Blundell Elementary School. Her kind and endearing words to the students were inspirational and encouraging.

Councillor Jordan Point from the Musqueam Indian Band remarked how the development of this agreement was done in a positive and inclusive way, which is an important aspect in Aboriginal education.

Encouraging words from the Honourable George Abbott, Minister of Education reiterated the Government’s priority to Aboriginal Education and the commitment to work together to improve the success of all Aboriginal students.

After the signing of the Agreement, Board Chair Donna Sargent thanked all parties for making the commitment to help all students have a better understanding of Aboriginal heritage and culture.

The willingness of the community to sign this agreement and thereby embrace the goals is a testament to the optimism with which we face the future together.

Here is a copy of the Agreement for your perusal:
SD#38 (Richmond)

Memunu Summer youth program

2011-06-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

Pathways Aboriginal Youth Centre has activities for youth between the ages of 10-14 every Saturday, all summer long. Check out the calendar of events and enjoy some of the cultural and outdoor activities being offered.

Memunu Summer 2011 Brochure

District Convention Aboriginal Education Workshops

2011-02-07T12:05:00.000-08:00

Some of the workshops being offered at our District Convention on Friday, February 11, 2011 have content in Aboriginal Education. Check out the listing below.

3District Convention Ab Ed

Pathways February 2011 Newsletter

2011-02-02T14:18:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest newsletter from Pathways Aboriginal Centre in Richmond. Check out all the wonderful things that are happening here in our community with our youth.

The Dialogue Project

2010-12-09T12:49:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to know more about the Aboriginal communities that surround us?

The Dialogues Project is a project convened by the City of Vancouver and community partners that is seeking to establish communication opportunities and to create understanding and relationships between Aboriginal and other diverse communities within the City. For more information see below and check out the cultural exchange visits happening around town.

Dialogue Project Synopsis

Pathways November 2010 newsletter

2010-11-25T10:56:00.001-08:00

Pathways Nov 2010

June 2010 Presentation of Enhancement Agreeement

2010-06-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the pleasure of sharing the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement with the School Board Trustees. See below for a copy of the document I presented.

Trustee Report

Pathways June newletter

2010-06-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Pathways June Newsletter

Aboriginal Content at Curriculum.org

2010-05-20T15:09:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in doing an art lesson with a focus on Aboriginal culture, there are many on-line resources for you. Take a look at curriculum.org (also here.)

Additional Aboriginal Art resources at the VMC

Pathways May newsletter

2010-05-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

The Aboriginal Community in Richmond is actively promoting its many events. The Friendship Centre has just released its most recent newsletter which you can read below.

MAYOSKAYAK_Pathways May Newsletter

March 30 Gathering

2010-03-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

Please join us from 4:30-7:00 for a parent gathering at Pathways Aboriginal Centre.

Learning Links features Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement

2010-03-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the Learning Links newsletter for February 2010. You can view the complete document by clicking below.

Enhancement Slideshow

2010-02-09T10:44:00.001-08:00

This slideshow lets you see the Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement Committee's progress to date. Click on the 'full screen' button at the bottom of the window. This will allow you to view the presentation at your own pace by clicking on the window.
Enhancement Slideshow

View more presentations from djubinville.

Community gatherings provide rich discussions - Please click on this title to reply.

2010-02-08T12:00:00.000-08:00

The development of the Enhancement Agreement includes holding community gatherings to hear the voices of all stakeholders. The data will be used to increase knowledge and respect for Aboriginal culture, language and history in the district and to establish goals for our Aboriginal students. Please take a moment to help us gather relevant data:
1. Is there more information you would like about the Enhancement Agreement process?
2. What are your views on how Aboriginal culture, history and traditions should be introduced in a school district?
3. Ultimately, we want to increase the graduation rates across British Columbia. What are we doing for Aboriginal students that is successful in the district?

Education for Aboriginals gets a failing grade - Click on title to add your comments

2010-02-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Typically, high school graduation rates for Aboriginal students are far below that of Non-Aboriginal students. If our goal as community members is to pave the way for a successful future for Aboriginal students, the first step must be to identify what success looks like for each and every community.

We are interested in your views:
1. What does success look like for our children?
2. What do we need to do to achieve the success we want?
3. How will we know when we are successful?

Help! I need Aboriginal Teacher Resources!

2010-02-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

If you have specific questions, ideas or comments on how you could integrate principles of Aboriginal Culture or Indigenous Knowledge into your classroom or workplace, please feel free to post your questions, ideas and comments here. Information and resource links will continue to be added to this blog.