Superintendent’s Report
June 6, 2012
To: Board of Trustees
From: Cory Gray, Superintendent of Schools
Subject: First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Teacher Camp
Originator: Sharon Styles, Supervisor - Learning Services
RECOMMENDATION
That the Board receive a report on the First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Teacher Camp, as information.
REPORT
Background Information:
On May 1 and 2, 2012 Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD), in collaboration with the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium (ERLC), hosted a FNMI teacher camp. The program allowed teachers to explore several topics related to FNMI education within the province and GYPSD. Teachers were then given very practical ways to infuse FNMI perspectives into their classrooms.
The 14 teachers from GYPSD (representing 8 of our schools) participated in this event along with the 4 presenters, two of which were from GYPSD. The other presenters work for the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia. In addition, local Elder, Cam Kootenay, was in attendance for the two days of the camp. The agenda for the camp appears below.
While the attendance was less than anticipated, the experience was very valuable for all those in attendance and should be repeated next year. The relationship with ERLC has allowed us to host this event, and they are interested in partnering with us again next year.
A slide show will accompany this report.
Conclusion:
GYPSD will continue to support the professional learning for teachers that will allow them to expand their knowledge of and ability to infuse FNMI cultural perspectives into their classrooms.
First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) Immersion Camp
Course code: / 12-AB-405Facilitator(s): / Terry Lynn Cook and Terry Lakey – ARPDC
Sandra Davenport and Kerry Aiken – GYPSD
Date/time: / This is a multi-day event.
DAY 1 / May 01, 2012 (9:30 am – 3:30 pm)
DAY 2 / May 02, 2012 (9:00 am – 2:30 pm)
Cost: / $265.00
includes all meals, workshop materials and overnight shared accommodation (dorm style)
$150.00 (without accommodation)
Location: / Jasper (The Palisades Centre, Jasper National Park)
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
All teachers and FNMI Liaison Coordinators and workers
ABOUT THIS LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
Join us in the Rocky Mountains and join other participants in a community focused on supporting FNMI student success. Explore barriers to success identified by FNMI students and learn and share promising practices to address these barriers and create inviting learning spaces for all students.
The infusion of FNMI perspectives has become a component of new curriculum being developed by Alberta Education. This opportunity will allow you to develop a deeper understanding of FNMI culture and provide practical strategies to infuse FNMI culture and content in your classroom.
Day 1
9:30 am - 10:15 am Elder opening and meet and greet (local Elder)
10:15 am - 2:00 pm High School Completion - What are the barriers as identified by high school students? Presenter - Terry Lynn Cook
This interactive workshop will explore the barriers FNMI students have identified as the issues they face that prevent high school graduation for many FNMI students.
12:00 - 12:45 Lunch
2:15 pm - 3:30 pm Fatty Legs - novel study
Presenter - Kerry Aiken
Kerry will share her novel study "Fatty Legs" with you. Kerry did this novel study with her grade seven class. This session will include a VC opportunity to meet the author of the book. You will receive a copy of the book.
Evening program - Dancers / drummers
Day 2
9:00 - 12:30 FNMI infusion into all curricular areas
Presenter - Terry Lakey
Terry will bring his expertise to the table - infusing FNMI content into all curricular areas. This will be a hands on session that may involve some time outdoors - come prepared to play and learn.
12:30 - 1:15 Lunch
1:15 - 2:15 Introductory Cree
Presenter - Sandra Davenport
Sandra will teach you Cree phrases and words that can be used in your classroom.
2:15 - 2:30 Closing and departure
This learning opportunity is subsidized as a result of a grant from Alberta Education to support implementation.
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR(S)
Terry Lynn Cook is a long time resident of Northern Alberta. She has been an advocate of FNMI Education from her own educational experiences (being of Aboriginal descent) as well as from teaching with the Driftpile First Nations, working as the Lead Administrator at St. Mary's Outreach School in Slave Lake and completing her Master of Education program with a focus on Aboriginal Education. She has provided professional development as a divisional facilitator on FNMI worldviews and awareness of FNMI educational issues. Terry Lynn is very passionate about promoting High School completion amongst FNMI youth and using FNMI youth's voices in gaining an understanding of FNMI educational issues. Terry Lynn is very excited to be part of the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortium's new FNMI PD team.
Terry Lakey taught grade three for two years on the Gift Lake Metis Settlement. Now in Red Deer, Terry has spent time with the Aboriginal Family and School Frontline Program. He was involved in curriculum development and the delivery of PD for teachers as it related to FNMI learners. Terry then moved back to the classroom to teach grade four. In 2011, he was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award. He has now taken a two year secondment to be part of the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortium as a Provincial FNMI Facilitator/Consultant.
A proud Métis, Sandra Davenport comes from a historic metis community in Northern Saskatchewan called Ile-a-la Crosse. Sandra has been in the teaching profession for the past 23 years. Ten years of her career has been spent teaching in the Grande Yellowhead Public School District. Sandra currently teaches Social Studies 7 and Cree Language Grades 4 through 8. Teaching Cree Language and Culture is a passion of hers. Sandra has taught Cree Language via video-conferencing for the past 8 years to students in Grande Cache, Hinton, Edson, Fulham, Niton, and Evansburg. It is a privilege of Sandra's to share her knowledge about her language and culture to those who want to learn.
Kerry Aiken is a grade 7 teacher at Summitview School in Grande Cache. Kerry is passionate about literature and Native Studies and weaves these two passions together in a Native Studies option that is being delivered to grades 4 - 8 students at Summitview School. She was the driving force behind the implementation of this option and plans and prepares for all these classes every week. She has presented sessions on Using Literature in Social Studies as well as using Literature with an FNMI perspective and content to enhance student success.