MANITOBA
M A N I TO BAFIRST
F I R S TNATIONS
N AT I O N S EDUCATION
E D U CAT I O N RESOURCE
R E S O U R C E CCENTRE
ENTRE
VISION
MISSION
“Support First Nations to develop and implement a comprehensive
holistic educational system inclusive of First Nations languages,
world views, values, beliefs and traditions with exemplary academic
standards, under First Nations jurisdiction.”
To help First Nations improve education for all learners to achieve:
• mino-pimatisiwin (Cree, Ojibway, Oji-Cree)”
• honso aynai (Dene)”
• tokadakiya wichoni waste (Dakota)”
www.mfnerc.org
Volume 5, Issue 5
First Nations Teachers Language Symposium
WINNIPEG,MB – The First Nations
Teachers Language Symposium,
hosted by the MFNERC in coordination with the Aboriginal Languages
Initiative (ALI) Manitoba Region,
was held November 21, 22 and 23,
2007 at the Radisson Hotel Winnipeg. This three day conference
brought together sixty-five teachers
from twenty-nine communities—in
total, ninety delegates took part.
These First Nations teachers and
educators who work tirelessly teaching these five main language groups
in Manitoba—Cree, Ojibway, OjiCree, Dakota and Dene—came together to share their knowledge and
learn from each other. These teachers and educators realize the importance of preserving our languages
and keeping them alive. MFNERC
and ALI gave these educators a place
and outlet through the symposium
to discuss, meet, and exchange. This
symposium is just part of the lengthy
and worthwhile process that has to
occur in order for these education
professionals to develop and create
proper learning materials and teachers’ guides.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
First NationsPerspectives;
Call for Manuscripts................. 2
Message from the
Executive Director.................... 3
Letter to First Nations
Schools.................................... 3
Infusion of First Nations
Knowledge in Schools............... 4
Western Canada First Nations
Education Administrators’ &
Aborigianl Language Conference
information.............................. 5
MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 2
Ruth Norton, who is the First Nations Language Specialist for the MFNERC oversaw and coordinated the
symposium. Guest facilitators were
Linda Pelly-Landrie and Marcella
Fontaine.
Linda Pelly-Landrie is an advocate
for the preservation of First Nation,
Metis and Inuit languages. Linda
speaks at conferences and forums to
promote and support languages in
international, national, regional and
local levels. She is currently responsible for serving as lead on professional development and FNMI awareness
training for the Province of Alberta.
Marcella Fontaine is a member of
the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba. Marcella has extensive experience in training and employment
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Welcome to our new staff......... 6
Celebrating Matthew Mckay...... 7
First Nations’ Astronomy........... 7
First Nations Circle of
Knowlege and Practices
Conference............................... 8
NEIL DENNIS KEMATCH MEMORIAL SCHOOL
GRAND OPENING
SAPOTAWEYAK, MB – A man had a
vision for his community; build a
culturally relevant education system
and the children of Sapotaweyak
Cree Nation will have a bright future.
In a moving ceremony, on October
4, 2007, the community celebrated the grand opening of their new
school, Neil Dennis Kematch Memorial School. Also, it was the celebration of late Neil Dennis Kematch’s
life and his dream of bringing community education to Sapotaweyak.
As the opening ceremony began,
the beat of the drum brought joy and
pride to the citizens of Sapotaweyak
Cree Nation. The children will be attending a state of the art school. Students will be able to attend school in
their community until they graduate from high school. Each speaker
passed the same message for the children and community; education is a
preparation for total living, it will
give students the choice of where to
live and work. Education is a prime
means of improving the communi-
ty’s economic and social conditions.
“A vision without action is but a dream; Action without vision is
a waste of time; But vision with action can
change our lives.” M.
Ignacio, 1995 Texas
Teacher of the Year. This
statement would be reiterated by Neil, it is the
school-community’s responsibility to fulfill
this man’s hopes and
dreams for the children.
The school staff is very excited about their new
school and has worked hard to prepare a successful
year for the children. The school plans will guide
their journey. It is a partnership between parents,
school, and community; the school invites support
and encouragement. It takes a whole community
to raise a child!
Neil Dennis Kematch Memorial School grand
opening can be put into this context: “There is a
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – June 2006 1
M A N I TO BA F I R S T N AT I O N S E D U CAT I O N R E S O U R C E C E N T R E
First Nations Teachers Language Symposium
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
initiatives, economic and business
development, strategic and community planning, proposal development, facilitating, research and analytical skills and advisory services.
Over the three days, the participants broke into working groups and
went through a number of presentations and exercises including Traditional Names mapping Project, examining Curriculum Development
and conducting their own presentations and feedback.
The staff and management were
very proud and humbled to host the
many Elders that attended this important conference.
The next phase in this process
will take place in spring 2008…stay
tuned! n
L-R: Fred Kelly, Elder, Onigaming First Nation, Ontario; George M. Courchene, Elder, Sagkeeng First Nation; Ron Kelly, Elder,
Onigaming First Nation, Ontario; Charlie Richard, Elder, Sandy Bay Ojibway Nation; Mary Courchene, Elder, Sagkeeng First Nation;
Joe Guy Wood, Elder, St. Theresa Point First Nation; Jennifer Thomas, Elder/Educator, Pimicikamak Cree Nation; Grand Chief Ron
Evans, AMC; Florence Paynter, MFNERC Inc.; Don Robertson, Elder, Winnipeg; Ruth Oudie, Elder, Waywayseecappo First Nation;
Nick Halcrow, Elder, Pimicikamak Cree Nation; Peter Kelly, Elder, Onigaming First Nation, Ontario; MP Tina Keeper.
First Nations Perspectives:
The Journal of the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre
Call for Manuscripts
FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION:
STORIES AND DISCOVERY
Frank Deer, Editor – [email protected]
First Nations Perspectives:
The Journal of the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre
1151 Sherwin Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3H 0V1
204 940 7020
Deadline for Submission: March 31st 2008
Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc.
The inaugural issue of First Nations Perspectives is intended to
create an interdisciplinary dialogue
about First Nations education in the
Province of Manitoba and western
Canada. The editor invites scholarly
essays and research papers from university students, teachers, researchers, scholars, and those affiliated
with the field of First Nations Education including those involved in
public and band-controlled schools,
post-secondary education, and community educational contexts. Theoretical essays, discussion papers and
research articles dealing with historical, philosophical, curricular, and
administrative issues will be considered. In order to create a broad dialogue, manuscripts from other fields
that are relevant to First Nations education will also be considered.
First Nations Perspectives will be
published in conjunction with the
annual Lighting the Fire conference
hosted by the Manitoba First Nations
Education Resource Centre, providing an opportunity for authors to
present their work during the conference. The next conference will be
hosted in Winnipeg, May 21st-23rd,
2008.
Topics of interest include (but are
not limited to):
•Teacher experiences in First Nations
schools: stories of success, struggle,
and insight. Using established academic literature as a scholarly
foundation, manuscripts may explore developments in the First Nations classroom for the benefit of
colleagues and researchers.
•Reports on research studies that investigate historical, philosophical,
curricular, or administrative issues
relevant to First Nations education.
•Perspectives on the delivery of First
Nations education in a modern,
post-colonial society.
Christmas
OPEN
HOUSE
Date: December 20, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Place: 1151 Sherwin Road
UʜœÀÊ*ÀˆâiÃ
UÊ-ˆi˜ÌÊÕV̈œ˜
•Perspectives and responses to issues
of equity, diversity, and the political processes involved in the delivery of First Nations education.
•First Nations perspectives on educational curriculum.
Please refer to the submission
guidelines at www.mfnerc.org
Please forward statements of interest, manuscripts, or any questions
regarding the journal to:
2 MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – December 2007
Please bring a non-perishable food item
for the Christmas Cheer Board.
For More Info call: 940-7020
M A N I TO BA F I R S T N AT I O N S E D U CAT I O N R E S O U R C E C E N T R E
Letter to First Nations Schools
From Lorne Keeper
A
s noted in a previous letter, the
MFNERC is providing services
according to the school plans that
were developed and submitted the
previous year (usually in May) to
ensure equity of service delivery to
all First Nations schools. Specialists,
with school personnel, will develop
and follow a schedule of a specific
number of visits to each First Nation
school. The MFNERC will not be
providing services on-demand.
However, we are experiencing
difficulty scheduling because some
schools are changing their priorities
and professional development requirements mid-stream in order to access services on-demand. This will
negatively affect equity of service
delivery since the MFNERC does not
have enough staff to provide services
to each school and provide services
on-demand as well. This is especially true in the area of ELA which is
the subject area with the highest demand since most schools have prioritized ELA.
It is good practice, to support successful programming or intervention, when implementing school
improvement, to follow a plan of action or school plan without major
changes throughout the year. Once
a course of action is agreed upon,
the professional development will be
provided taking into consideration
the number of specialists available
and the number of schools the specialists serve. This eliminates crises
management of the school to a degree and supports effective delivery
of school programming that will enhance the learning experience of the
students. n
Greetings from the Thompson Office
Message from the Executive Director
G
reetings to all of you!
On behalf of the staff
and management of the
MFNERC Inc. it is with great pride
that I present to you the renewal
of the MFNERC Principal’s Newsletter. This very important vehicle
for communication will be produced and distributed quarterly.
We also invite you, the schools,
to send in your information and
stories to promote your activities.
This fall, the MFNERC specialists have been active assisting
in school planning, conducting
training, workshops and producing relevant educational materials for the First Nations schools
we serve.
Recently the MFNERC was host to Ginew School from Roseau
River First Nation. It was a great morning as the staff and principal took a tour through the MFNERC Winnipeg office. The Ginew
staff proudly told us about their annual “Ginew School Gathering
of Friends”. This event is held every year in May and invites surrounding schools to cultural awareness activities hosted by the
students, teachers and volunteers from the community. Thank
you to Bill Beauchamp, Principal, and his staff for coming out to
visit the MFNERC Winnipeg office.
I would also like to extend a big thank you to Gordon Colomb,
Education Director and Kelly Linklater, Councilor from Mathias
Colomb First Nation for taking the time to come and visit the
Winnipeg Office. As always, we extend an invitation to all to visit
our offices. You may call Joy Keeper, Communications Officer to
arrange tours and presentations at 1-877-247-7020.
We have relocated!!
Our new address is:
Lower Level
79 Selkirk Avenue
Thompson, MB
R8N 0M5
There is a total of 7 staff members
employed in our Thompson Office
and we are slowly settling into our
new larger office space. Staff members include:
•
Beverly McKay, Administrative
Assistant
•
•
Phyllis Murray, Liaison Officer,
Training Initiatives
•
Josephine Baker, ELA Specialist
•
Andy Thomas, Researcher
•
Leonard Kirkness,
Technician
•
Barb Dollmont, Library Technician
Check out our bigger library complete with 2 workstations for students who would like a quiet place
to work or study!
Computer
Jennie Tait, Special Education
Specialist
H
ello, my name is Beverly McKay and I am the new Administrative Assistant for the Thompson Office. I began my employment
as the Administrative Secretary for
the Community Education Unit
and have decided to take on a new
northern adventure from our office
in Thompson! I have been employed
at the MFNERC Inc. for 7 years and
am looking forward to assisting you
with any questions you may have
about our northern office. Thank
you!
Please feel free to drop by for a coffee, a chat, or just to say hello! Everyone is welcome!
The MFNERC was proud to host the 9th annual Circle of Knowledge and Practices Conference this year at the Victoria Inn Hotel
& Convention Centre. A total of 260 delegates from across the
province came and took part in this one day event. Workshops
were presented mainly by Specialists from the Centre. A range of
workshops from Photoshop Elements to First Nations Astronomy
featuring the portable planetarium were available to all who registered. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizers, volunteers and the participants who made this event another
success for all.
The specialists from the Community Education Unit have been
engaged in school planning this past year, and now, with the
completion of multiple First Nations school plans, the MFNERC’s
new Service Delivery Model will drive the process. This model is
currently being implemented to First Nations schools.
Taking part and supporting events hosted by the First Nations
communities are important to the MFNERC and this summer, the
MFNERC was a proud supporter of the National Cree Gathering in
Misipatwistik Cree Nation, August 13-17, 2007. Five staff members took part in volunteering and providing on-site supports for
the efforts achieved at the National Cree Gathering.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome to the
MFNERC Board of Directors, Chief Chris Baker, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin
Cree Nation. This addition to the Board is in accordance with the
recommendation from the AMC MFNERC Organizational Review
for the Board of Directors to include one Chief from the North to
complement the one Chief from the South. Welcome Chief Baker!
Each year the MFNERC Scholarship Fund awards three outstanding high school students who plan to attend a post secondary
institution. It is my privilege, on behalf of the MFNERC staff and
management to extend congratulations to the recipients of the
High School Graduate Awards. This year’s recipients are:
• Bridgette Kay Lynn Young, Opaskwayak Cree Nation: attending
the University of Saskatchewan.
• Stephanie Lynn West, Sandy Bay First Nation: attending the
University of Manitoba.
• Sherlyn S. Green, Miskoseepi First Nation attending the University of Manitoba.
Best of luck with your future endeavors!
Lorne C. Keeper
MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – December 2007 3
M A N I TO BA F I R S T N AT I O N S E D U CAT I O N R E S O U R C E C E N T R E
Infusion of First Nations Knowledge in Schools and Curriculum
“Sharing Knowledge”
My grandaughter, who was four at the time, asked,
“Papa do you know everything?”.
My husband replied,
“My baby I know lots because I am older but --- I don’t know everything”.
My granddaughter’s face beamed and she said,
“I knew it! I knew it! …. I knew you didn’t know everything!!!!!”.
None of us know everything so we need to begin a dialogue.
Let us share our thoughts and stories so everyone can learn about
First Nations methods and strategies from First Nations in our own words
Gwen, Dewdrop
and Rusty...a few
years ago.
have said is necessary since we took
over education. We used to call this
culturally appropriate curriculum or
materials.
What knowledge (content) is appropriate for teachers to teach?
What knowledge should remain within family? Should teachers teach medicines or ceremonies?
Only the nation’s citizens can answer
these questions because they are responsible for what is taught in their
schools, in their territories. It is their
decision. However, there are some
things we can discuss in this forum
and that is methods and strategies of
teaching so let’s begin there.
How do First Nations children
learn? What methods and strategies help First Nations children
and youth learn?
schools integrate aboriginal perspectives into the curriculum. This translates into First Nations perspectives
for us.
What is infusion/integration of
First Nations knowledge into the
curriculum?
I am asked this question many
times, often in a frustrated tone of
voice. I am asked this because the
province mandates that provincial
If we are teaching in a First Nation
school, a mandate should not be required since this is something we
The Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc.
Proudly presents the
10th Annual
The Lighting the Fire conference, now
in its tenth year, is a time for educators to participate in relevant workshops. Our workshops provide educators unique opportunities to network;
to raise awareness of best practices,
and; to discuss the challenges and
successes we all experience working
within First Nations schools.
FEATURING:
Tradeshow & Exhibits
The answers to these questions are
in our history, our ancestral knowledge and was applied by First Nations when they taught survival
skills, skills needed to feed the family, knowledge needed to live a good
life or mino-pimatisiwin, skills needed to learn how to focus during vision, knowledge needed to perform
roles as akicita to protect the people
and knowledge needed for raising
children who would become contributing members of society and the
list goes on and on.
Did First Nations teach their children and youth using specific
methods and strategies?
The methods and strategies we
used were based on the learning
styles and the learning needs of our
children and youth, at various stages of development. The methods
and strategies used were founded on
knowledge acquired from observation and our own ways of knowing.
Student Essay Contest
EDUCATION
CONFERENCE
Maria Ross Memorial Awards
First Nations Entertainment
“Wahbung,
Our Tomorrows”
37 years later
May 21-23, 2008
Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre
1808 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg, MB
Call for papers deadline January 18, 2008
Meet and Greet May 20, 6 - 8 p.m.
Registration May 21-23, 8:00 a.m.
Volunteers Needed!
For further info contact:
Joy Keeper, Conference Coordinator
1151 Sherwin Road, Winnipeg, MB R3H 0V1
Phone: (204) 940-7020 Fax: (204) 942-2490
Toll Free: 1-877-247-7020 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.mfnerc.org
4 MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – December 2007
In order to apply this knowledge
in schools we first need to recognize that First Nations had knowledge and this knowledge is valid
today.
We, as educators, need to learn
to respect the people who have this
knowledge even though they are not
professors or university educated
people.
To begin the process of stimulating
thought and hopefully discussion, I
am putting forward some thoughts
according to my understanding.
I am not going to tell you anything
about how to apply this knowledge. I
will only share the knowledge which
is our way. For some reason, I feel
the need to share this. You take what
you need and if you don’t need the
information leave it. However I ask
that you think about how you can
apply this or add to it. This way we
will begin discussion.
Submitted by Gwen Merrick
One time I asked a group of literacy workers at a workshop if anyone
had taught another person a skill. I
asked a man from the north if he had
ever taught anyone to fish. He was
a mature man and was from a community where people fished for a living. He said he had. I then asked
him how he taught that person and
he related the following (as best that
I can remember).
He first said that the person must
want to learn how to fish and show
an interest. He went on to say that
he taught that young person step by
step and when he learned each step
well he went on to the next step.
Each step became harder. He had to
break it down into manageable tasks
that that person was ready to learn.
Each time he went to the next
step, he had to think whether or
not the learner was ready physically, intellectually and emotionally (he
didn’t use those words but I can’t remember exactly what he said. I only
remember the context.). The person
had to be mature enough to continue on to learn the harder skills that
required more stamina or attention
and the patience to stick to the task.
The person needed to be able to listen and take direction. The learner
also needed to be observant which
requires a certain level of maturity.
What this man did was follow
how he was taught by his father or
uncle and how they were taught by
their father or uncle down through
the ages. This is First Nations knowledge and it is applicable in today’s
society and the schools in First Nations. This is good practice in teaching and learning.
I am sure he said more but this is
what I remember. The little story
speaks to a great deal in relation to
methods and strategies of teaching
and learning.
Next time, I will share a little more
or send me your thoughts and I will
put them in the newsletter next
time.
Fishermen or women and any
other person who has ever taught
another a traditional skill or knowledge will know more and can add a
great deal to the story. How did you,
as a First Nation person learn from
your grandparents, uncles, aunties
etc? How did you learn respect for
example?
Educators can compare this to the
knowledge they received in university. Is this equivalent knowledge
to what one learns in university?
How can this be applied in the classroom?
Contact me with your input at:
[email protected]
Gwen Merrick, Director of Programs
1151 Sherwin Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3H 0V1
Toll Free: 1-877-247-7020
Phone #: 1-204-940-7020
Fax:
1-204-942-2490
M A N I TO BA F I R S T N AT I O N S E D U CAT I O N R E S O U R C E C E N T R E
Neil Dennis Kematch Memorial School
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
longing in the heart of my people to
reach and grasp that which is needed for our survival. There is a longing among the young of my nation
to secure themselves and their people the skills that will provide them
with a sense of worth and purpose.
They will be our new warriors. Their
training will be longer and more demanding than it was in the olden
days. The long years of study will
demand more determination…and
will demand endurance. But they
will emerge with their hands held
forward to grasp the place in society
that is rightfully theirs.” The Late
Chief Dan George. n
Special Education Training Workshops
S
pecial Education Specialists, Jennie Tait and
Gina Schall, conducted the
third in a series of four assessment training workshops. The first workshop
in the series was held in
Winnipeg on September
19th and 20th with 24 resource teachers attending.
The second workshop was
held in Dauphin on October 24th and 25th with 10
resource teachers present.
At the November 14th and
November 15th workshops
in Thompson, there were 12
participants.
ticipant received a certificate
from MFNERC with MECY’s
corresponding accreditation
number on it.
In each of the workshops, a variety of formal
assessment tool were studied and reviewed. Some to
Jennie Tait
the assessment tool covered
in these workshops were
WRAT 4, Brigance, K TEAII,
WIAT, TOMA, TAAS, K FAST,
DIAL III and Alberta Diagnostic Reading. Each workshop focused on specifically designated assessment
Gina Schall
tools. This has allowed the
resource teachers hands on experiManitoba Education Citizenship ence in administering and scoring
and Youth (MECY) gave accreditation the tests, interpreting the results and
of 10 contact hours for each of the 2 developing appropriate programs on
day assessment training workshops. the results.
At the end of workshops, each parThe selection of the assessment
Stats
Corner
Research and Development Unit (RDU)
The following statistics were formulated based on the findings of
the last two Canadian Censuses (Government of Manitoba, 1996,
2001):
• Aboriginal people make up 13.6% of the Manitoba population;
• In 2001, 55,755 Aboriginal (Inuit, First Nation and Metis) people resided in Winnipeg, almost 8,000 more than in Nunavut,
Yukon and the NWT combined;
• Approximately 90,000 “status” Indians in Manitoba, of which
56% live on-reserve, 24% live in Winnipeg and 20% live somewhere else;
• Aboriginal people make up the majority in Northern Manitoba
at 62%;
• In the north, 82% of “status” Indians live on-reserve;
• In the south, many First Nations have approximately ½ of their
population live off-reserve;
• Manitoba has a higher proportion of its on-reserve citizens
living in isolate, fly-in communities than any other Province
except Quebec
• For all Aboriginal people, English is the most used language in
the home at 72%, Cree is the second most used language at
12%; followed by Ojibway at 6%;
tools for each of the workshops was
determined by tabulating the survey
results. This survey was faxed to all
resource teachers for completion in
the spring of 2007. It was also given out at the Resource Teacher Meeting in Brandon (April) and Dauphin
(May). In the survey, the resource
teachers listed what tools they wished
to have training in along with the location they would like the training
to be held.
The fourth and final session will
be held in the Island Lake area in
January. But further details have not
been confirmed at this time. The Island Lake Assessment Training information should be sent out in early
January. Anyone who has not received the information by then
should contact the SEU’s Secretary,
Mina McKenzie at 940-7045.
Celebrating
Matthew McKay
Matthew McKay is nine years old in
grade 3 and comes from Cross Lake,
Manitoba. Matthew’s parents are
Bernice and Michael McKay. Matthew
is a level 3 student who is assigned to
two Educational Assistants, Arnold Ross
and April Ross, to work with him. Matthew has always been fascinated with
dinosaurs ever since he was in grade
one. We would go to the library with him
on a daily basis to look at piles and piles
of dinosaur books. The educational assistances observe that Matthew enjoys
hands-on projects and is very good
and fast with them. While searching
for a craft book in the library Matthew
decided to make model dinosaurs. We
did not expect to enter in the ONR Arts
festival but we did and Matthew saved
his dinosaurs he made. It was clear that
his display will be about dinosaurs and
their environment. He worked with his
hands to create two model dinosaurs
made out of paper Mache’-construction
paper, newspaper strips, scotch tape
and tempera paint. He cut out two Dinosaur patterns using construction paper.
Paper balls were made out of strips of
newspaper and he covered the dinosaur
patterns with paper balls using tape. We
then, dipped strips of newspaper in the
plaster solution and wrapped the entire
dinosaur pattern with plaster. Matthew
painted both dinosaurs when the plaster
dried. He used muskeg for his flooring,
used tree branches to display trees in
his project and utilized rocks and sand
for the flooring or platform of the display.
We are so proud of Matthew for this
project.
By: April Ross
Education Assistant
The Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc.
is honored and proud to host the
Western Canada
First Nations Education
Administrators’ &
Aboriginal Language
Symposium
March 5-7, 2008
Winnipeg, MB
Victoria Inn Hotel & Conference Centre
1808 Wellington Avenue, 204-786-4801
BACKGROUND ON THE SYMPOSIUM: In 2005, Terry Clarke, Education Director of Onion Lake, Saskatchewan got together with his
colleagues to discuss the idea of having a Western Canada First Nations Education Symposium. They brought together Principals, Administrators, Education Directors and other leaders in First Nations
education from First Nations Schools in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan
and Manitoba to come together to share ideas, network and build
capacity with one another.
Our goal is to showcase Best Practices throughout Manitoba,
Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia First Nations
Operated Schools.
CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS!
For more infomation please contact:
David Swanson
MFNERC Inc., 1151 Sherwin Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0V1
Phone: (204) 940-7020
Toll Free: 1-877-247-7020
Fax: (204) 942-2490
E-mail: [email protected]
www.mfnerc.org
Registration and more information to follow!
MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – December 2007 5
M A N I TO BA F I R S T N AT I O N S E D U CAT I O N R E S O U R C E C E N T R E
A special welcome to our new staff
Arlene Flatfoot-Beaulieu – New Staff Member
Anin, Tansi, Pedamehe! Hello!
G
reetings to all Elders, Educators, Directors and all my
relatives in and around the
First Nations Communties of Manitoba. My name is Arlene FlatfootBeaulieu and I am a proud member
of the Ebb and Flow Ojibway Nation.
I am one of the ELA Specialist for the
In-School Program for the Winnipeg
office.
I have been welcomed to MFNERC
as of August 20, 2007 as a term position until 2009. My present responsibilities as an ELA Specialist are to
provide English Language Arts support to First Nations schools pertaining to the implementation of the
Provincial English Language Arts
Curriculum. I am also responsible in
assisting in the development of supplementary ELA curriculum materials and resource materials that are
relevant to First Nations students.
Another responsibility I have as an
ELA Specialist is the integration of
First Nations perspectives into the
provincial curriculum and support
the delivery of innovative programming to improve the quality and
standards for students in our First
Nations Schools.
My parents and grandparents are
my inspiration to succeed in whatever endeavor I choose to do especially in the area of education. I am
Pamela Courchene
– New Staff Member
a proud mother of four children and
a proud grandmother of three grandchildren and one more on the way.
They are the reason why choose to
follow the path of education because
they are the relevance of our existence and why we do what we do on
a daily basis.
Prior to coming on board at MFNERC, I have had the privilege of
working with many respectable organizations, school divisions, tribal
councils and universities throughout the course of my career. One
community that I am proud to have
worked for three and a half years
is the community of the Norway
House Cree Nation at the old Rossville School and the new Helen Betty Osborne Ininiw Education Resoucre Centre. It was during this time
where I appreciated many different
aspects of life and perhaps where I
did the most growing both as an individual and professionally.
In closing, I look forward to working with you. I feel that I am approachable and I am eager to listen
to your ideas on how together we
can improve the literacy of our First
Nations students and bringing up
those standards yet ensuring our values, traditions and language is preserved. n
Kitchi Meegwetch!
Arlene Flatfoot-Beaulieu, B.Ed.
M
y name is Pamela Courchene
and I have been hired as part
of the In Schools Program as a math
specialist. I look forward to working
with the schools I have been assigned
this year and meeting with staff. As
an educator, I have had the opportunity to work with different grade
levels ranging from the little ones in
grade 1 to adults working towards
their mature grade 12. I am currently pursuing my post-baccalaureate
and will graduate May 2008. I wish
to further my studies and will begin
my Master’s degree specializing in
Adult Education September 2008. I
am grateful and excited at the prospect of working with the First Nations communities this school year.
6 MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – December 2007
Ron Hallock – New Staff Member
R
on Hallock joined the Manitoba First Nation Education
Resource Center in October
2007 to serve as a science specialist.
His duties include providing support
in the areas of science fair, use of lab
equipment and lab safety, First Nations astronomy and planetarium,
and any professional development
science requirements.
Ron was born and raised in Winnipeg, where he received his elementary and secondary education. Upon
graduation from Sisler High School,
he attended the University of Winnipeg (B. Sc. Chemistry/Mathematics) and the University of Manitoba
(M.SCBiochemistry and an Education Certificate).
After starting his teaching career
as a Senior High Science Teacher for
three years at Lundar Collegiate,
Ron joined the River East School Division. He spent twenty seven years
at Robert Andrews and the final six
years at Munroe Junior High of the
amalgamated River East Transcona
School Division .In addition, Ron
was a vice principal of the River East
continuing education program and
as the site supervisor for the River East Transcona School Division
Adult and Continuing Education Department and the coordinator of the
divisions Summer School program
since its inception in 1994.
Ron has served on the RESD lead-
ership teams in Science and Mathematic and provincially on the
executive of the Science Teachers’ Association of Manitoba. He has been
Chairperson of the River East School
Division Science Fair and Manitoba
School Science Symposium. He was
employed by Education Manitoba
as a writer of provincial science assessments and conducted in-services
throughout the province on hands
on science and performance assessment. For his contributions to curriculum and professional development
of science teachers in Manitoba,
the Science Teachers’ Association
of Manitoba(STAM) presented Ron
with the Science Teacher of the year
Award in 1990 and a life membership in STAM.
Outside of school, Ron’s major interest is football officiating. Ron recently retired from on field officiating after 38 years of officiating .
He held the highest national certification level and he has officiated
in numerous national finals at the
University and amateur levels. Ron
is a national course conductor for
certification of football officials .He
currently holds two executive portfolios on the Canadian Football Officials’ Association as director of training and development and director of
communication. On the provincial
level, Ron is currently the vice president of evaluation and performance
for the Manitoba Football Officials’
Association. Ron’s contributions to
officiating have been recognized nationally by Football Canada and the
Canadian Football League in his receiving the Award of Merit. In 2007 ,
Ron was recognized for his contributions to football officiating in Manitoba with a life membership in the
Manitoba Football Officials’ Association. In addition, Ron is in charge of
the CFL support crew in Winnipeg
and serves as the Timekeeper at Winnipeg Blue Bomber Games. n
MORE NEW STAFF
WILL BE FEATURED
NEXT ISSUE
Susan Ollinger – New Staff Member
S
usan Ollinger, Administrative
Secretary In-School Programs
Unit Winnipeg Office commenced
employment on Monday, August 20,
2007. Susan is Metis from Winnipeg
and has had several years experience
in the administration field. Her past
work experiences include Russell
Food Equipment, Aboriginal Health
& Wellness Centre, Hershey Canada,
The Real Canadian Superstore, Nalley’s Canada Ltd. and Manitoba Lotteries Foundation. n
M A N I TO BA F I R S T N AT I O N S E D U CAT I O N R E S O U R C E C E N T R E
In-School Programs Update
T
he In-School
Programs Unit
(ISP) is going
through many changes this school year.
The first one is that I
am temporarily filling
in for Violet Okemaw.
Violet is heading the
School Improvement
Pilot Project (SIPP)
and will return to the
Rocky Mckay
ISP unit in 2009. I am
Rocky McKay and you may remember me from my duties as a science
specialist. I hope I will be able to
serve our communities in this new
capacity as well as Violet has done in
the past.
The ISP Unit also sees the introduction of new staff members. They are
Arlene Flatfoot – Beaulieu – ELA Specialist, Josephine Baker – ELA Specialist, Pam Courchene – Math Specialist, Ron Hallock – Science Specialist.
Please see their bios included in this
newsletter to get to know them better. I know they will serve our communities well. Their experience and
commitment to your schools will be
evident when you get to meet them.
The ISP Unit has been hard at work
since the start of the new school year.
To date, many communities have already been visited or have had booking made to do so in the near future.
By the time you read this article,
all communities that have identified priorities in their school plans
should have had contact by subject
area specialist to make initial visits.
Subject area specialists are initiating
a new service delivery model.
The MFNERC Service Delivery Model
is in place to provide
better service to First
Nations Communities. The model is
based on longer term
strategic planning of
teacher professional
development. In the
past, professional development may have
tended to be random
and by “service by demand”. To gain
long term professional development
benefits for teacher skills and program improvements, it was felt that
strategic planning was needed. Subject area action plans are being developed from identified school priorities. These plans are then developed
by schools, facilitated by MFNERC
specialists. The action plan’s goal
is to create program alignment of
school subject areas and then identify professional development needs
the school requests. The key point
here is that the school identifies
their program needs and the specialist helps the school in reaching these
needs. This is capacity building; MFNERC does not want to push an outside agenda on your school. This is a
new process that will take time to coordinate with all schools. It is hoped
that up front long term planning will
be more beneficial and efficient.
FIRST NATIONS’
ASTRONOMY
T
he
MFNERC
science
specialists have developed
a First Nations’ Astronomy
workshop intended for students
and
teachers.
This
workshop
contains three components. The
first is a Power Point presentation
introducing students to the night
sky from First Nations’ perspective.
It introduces students and staff to
names of common celestial objects
in both Ojibway and Cree languages.
Star stories are told by
Wilfred and Rocky.
Wilfred sings songs
on his hand drum go
with the star legend
stories. This workshop
is about an hour long
and takes place in any
classroom.
Another workshop
that can go along
with this one is a
star party under the Wilfred Buck
night sky. As we head
into fall, winter, and
spring, we introduce both staff and
students to the night sky. With the
use of a computerized eleven inch
Celestron telescope, many celestial
objects will be seen for the first time
by both students and staff. Double
stars, globular clusters, open clusters,
planetary nebula, and planets are
well in reach for viewing. These star
parties usually can start around 7 pm
in the fall and spring and 5 pm in
the winter and last for 1 to 2 hours.
A laser pointer can give star tours of
the night sky as well. It’s a great time
to learn the night sky and hear some
more star stories.
The third workshop is a
planitarium display. The MFNERC
has
purchased
a
portable planetarium,
capable of setting
up at your school.
Wilfred and Rocky
can come out to your
school and give tours
of the night sky right
in the comfort of
your school’s gym/
multi-purpose room.
This new portable
planetarium
can
accommodate up to
25
students/staff/
community members.
The shows can last about an hour
long.
Invite us to your school for a great
time of night sky astronomy. Contact
Wilfred or Rocky at 940 – 7020 for
bookings of these new workshops. n
If you have questions about the
new service delivery model, please
don’t hesitate to call me. You can
reach me at 204 – 940 – 7041.
–Rocky McKay
Josephine Baker – New Staff Member
Hello, I am writing to introduce
myself. My name is Josephine Baker, the newly hired English Language Arts Specialist assigned to the
Thompson office.
To let you know a little about myself, I’ll start with where I am from. I
was born and raised in South Indian
Lake. My band is Nelson House and
it is also the place where I taught for
a dozen years. The classroom experience I have has all been in First Nation Schools. It is my preference to
work with First Nation communities.
I also have experience in Adult Education. I enjoy working with learners who want to succeed. I have met
so many precious people who aim
to finish grade 12 and I am an advocate for higher education. I am a
Cree speaker and can read and write
syllabics.
I am excited to travel to your community to assist in the area of Language Arts. English Language Arts
programming is of great importance
in education. To increase opportunity for students to succeed, we will
aim to raise the standards. Each
school is unique and has different
needs. My focus will be in the area
of ELA. I aim to assist at the local
The new portable planetarium on display at the Lighting the Fire conference
Kiya Gedion – New Staff Member
level. I am based out of the Thompson office. This means that not only
am I available to be of assistance to
your staff while I am in your community but will also do what I can
from the office. So I invite you to
call me and we can work together
from there. Your school plan will direct and facilitate P.D. planning.
I look forward to working with
your staff. Below is the address and
phone numbers of where I can be
reached. My direct line is 677-0941.
Ekosi, Ka-wa-pam-i-tin,
Josephine Baker
Kiya Gedion, WAN/Exchange
Technician. Kiya was born in Ethopia and moved around Africa and
spent ten years in Lesotho. Kiya and
his sister attended boarding school
in Sweden; then moved to Canada
with his family where he attended
Fort Richmond Collegiate then the
University of Manitoba where he
received a Bachelor of Commerce
(honors) degree with a major in
Management Information Systems
and Small Business in 2002. Kiya has
worked for the Grace General Hospital as Help Desk & Network Support Analyst; Songhi Centre in Porto
Novo, Benin as Network Administrator; and most recently with Great
West Life in Winnipeg.
MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – December 2007 7
M A N I TO BA F I R S T N AT I O N S E D U CAT I O N R E S O U R C E C E N T R E
First Nations Circle of Knowledge
& Practices Conference
T
he Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre was
proud to host the 9th annual Circle of Knowledge and Practices
Conference this year at the Victoria
Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, October 19, 2007. Each year the MFNERC hosts this conference as an alternative to the province wide SAG
day held for teachers. Nine years ago
the staff and management realized
that the teachers working in First
Nations communities required workshops which spoke to the unique
aspects of working with First Nations communities, schools and students. As a result, the MFNERC began hosting the First Nations Circle
of Knowledge & Practices Conference and each year since it has been
a resounding success. This year, a total of two hundred and sixty delegates from across the province came
and took part in this one day event.
Workshops were presented by specialists from the Centre. A range of
presentations, from Photoshop Elements to First Nations Astronomy,
Dauphin Instructional Resource Center
The Instructional Resource Center helps provide materials to First Nations Schools in Manitoba. All materials are available to Teachers,
Principles, Specialists, and staff within the First
Nation educational system.
Materials on hand at all offices may include:
KITS
featuring the portable planetarium
were available to all who registered.
In total, twelve workshops were presented during this day long gathering. The Centre would like to take
this opportunity to thank the organizers, volunteers and the participants who made this event another
success for all.
Videos
Books
Vocabulary
Science
Legends
Reading
Nature
History
Mathematics
Stars & Planets
Fiction
Learning Cree Kits
Teens
Religion
Novel
Human Body
Geography
Big Books
Drugs
Ojibwe
Hearing/Screening
First Nations
Spelling
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday
10:00 am- 4:00pm
Dauphin Sub-Office
204-622-8850 or visit us
online at www.mfnerc.org
MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE
Science Fair
6th ANNUAL
Two hundred and sixty delegates from across the province came and took part.
& Science Symposium
THe Photoshop Elements workshop was a big hit.
CONTACT US:
Head Office
Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
R1N 3B5
Long Plain First Nation
5000 Crescent Road West
Toll Free:1(866) 331-9561
Fax:1(204) 857-4576
MFNERC DAUPHIN Sub-Office
508 Main Street South
Dauphin, Manitoba
R7N 1L2
Phone: (204) 622- 8850
Toll Free: 877- 388- 8850
Fax: (204) 622- 8859
MFNERC WINNIPEG Sub-Office
1151 Sherwin Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3H 0V1
Phone: (204) 940- 7020
Toll Free: 877- 247- 7020
Fax: (204) 942- 2490
MFNERC THOMPSON Sub-Office
202-79 Selkirk Avenue
Thompson, Manitoba
R8N 0M7
Phone: (204) 677- 0930
Toll Free: 877- 879- 0930
Fax: (204) 677- 0938
8 MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – December 2007
MARCH 5 & 6, 2008
Open to students attending grades 4 through 12 in First Nations Schools in Manitoba.
All participants receive medals, and are eligible to receive cash, scholarships, trips, and other awards.
Entry Deadline: February 21, 2008
Red River College
For more information call:
Winnipeg, Manitoba
North Gym – 2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Rockford McKay, Wilfred Buck
or Rudy Subedar at 204-940-7020