MANITOBA EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE

www.mfnerc.org Volume 5, Issue 2

On December 5th, 2004, Education Forum At George Knott School the MFNERC Board of Directors passed by mo- tion, the following revised FIRST NATION “Vision and Mission State- ments:” Vision “Support First Nations to develop and imple- ment a comprehensive holistic educational system inclusive of First Nations languages, world views, values, be- liefs and traditions with exemplary academic standards, under First ON NOVEMBER 24, 2005, George Knott School host- The decisions we ed an education forum to highlight the completion of Nations jurisdiction.” the School Plan. The day long activities included an make today will open house, presentation and adoption of the school affect our children plan, feast, and education forum. There was a large Mission community turnout for this event. twenty years from “To help First Nations now. improve education for Principal, Nenita Uygen, facilitated the presentation –George Ross all learners to achieve: and adoption of the school plan in a signing cer- mino-pimatisiwin (Cree, emony. The signatories were Tommy Harper, school Ojibway, Oji-Cree)” board member and Ambrose Wood, First Nation Creator put us on the earth with a language and way Council representative. This school plan will provide of life. The second priority is parental responsibil- “To help First Nations direction and support for George Knott School for ity, the parents must again, gain their rightful place improve education for the 2005/2006 school year. The ceremony was a in the community. Johnny ended his address with all learners to achieve: culmination of a year-long process of developing a the following comment, “something has arrived in honso aynai (Dene)” community based school improvement plan. Doreen Wasagamack, we are lost, we are losing our culture, McPherson was the MFNERC school administration take a look at yourself and your child and ask, where “To help First Nations specialist who facilitated this process. do we go from here?” improve education for all learners to achieve: The education forum provided an opportunity for A parent, in her address, commented that the young tokadakiya wichoni community members to express their thoughts and people are searching for an identity. They are search- waste (Dakota)” aspirations about the education system in their ing for something positive in their lives. Our young community. The parents, students, Elders and other people want to learn about the drum, traditional community members provided positive insights and teachings and ceremonies; this can be achieved INSIDE THIS ISSUE: suggestions about the future of education in Wasag- by implementing a positive holistic program in the Cree Dictionary amack. The participants expressed passion and school. A curriculum would combine land based Released ...... 2 humour during their presentations. Victor Harper was education with contemporary English programming. an effective facilitator. At this time they are identifying with the pop culture Language Immersion and rap music; it influences how they dress, speak Workshops ...... 3 Elder, Johnny Harper gave a powerful message to the and act. This is a drug culture. Parents are the first Clan Teaching assembly. He told the audience he had been having teachers and they have to be responsible for their Workshops ...... 5 visions and dreams about the state of education in children’s education. the First Nation. There is a bad spirit stopping good Creating a Shared learning from happening at the school, he stated. Kudos to the Wasagamack community, Adam Knott, School Vision ...... 8 This needs to be cleared up soon. The priority of Nenita Uygen and the George Knott School staff for Community Based the school program must be spiritual well-being. your time and effort in developing the school plan. School Planning ...... 6 The school program must ensure the children are All the best in the implementation process. World Indigenous People learning their language and culture; if they have this Conference ...... 10-11 solid foundation, they will be successful in life. The –George Ross Principals’ Newsletter • December 2005 1 The Redman - his measure of Ochekiwi Sipi Cree sucess is “How Dictionary Released much service celebrated its Ochekiwi For your copy of the Ochekiwi Sipi Cree Dictionary, have I rendered Sipi Cree Dictionary release by holding a commu- please contact Nora Murdock, Director-Principal, at nity feast on Friday, November 25, 2005 at Charles Charles Sinclair School in Fisher River at (204) 645- to my people?... Sinclair School. 2206. The Elders from this community have been working ‘Ta kiskisiyak kape “keteyatisak” his mode of life, on a Cree Dictionary that they want to leave for their omaskekomowiniwaw’ grandchildren for the past several years. They have his thought, his worked diligently through laughter and tears to com- ‘To forever remember our Elders and plete this document. their Cree language’ every act are given spiritual significance”

–Seton& Seton 1977

Dorothy Ann Crate Ruby Rosser Lena Murdoch Merita Sinclair Helen Cochrane

Myrtle Thompson Fred William Crate Dorothy Francis Crate Pearl Sinclair William John McKay

Bryden & Frances Jean Cochrane Harriet Jane Amos Shirley Harasemiw Joe Garson Sr.

Byron Murdock and Mary McKay, teachers at Charles Sinclair School, along with Daniel Cochrane and Melvin Mallette, two fishermen from the community, also participated in the The late Grenville The late Mabel development of the Byron Murdock Mary McKay Crate Sr. MacRae dictionary. 2 December 2005 • Principals’ Newsletter LANGUAGE IMMERSION REGIONAL WORKSHOPS

THE FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RE- SOURCE CENTRE (MFNERC), through the Aboriginal Languages Initiative (ALI), is proud to host the Five Language Immersion Regional Workshops. The theme for all Workshops is “Giving Back the Lan- guage to Our Young People.”

This year, the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre, through the ALI, completed its two-year language immersion training for interested language teachers from different communities within Manitoba. It is now time to take the knowledge received from this training and kick start language immersion training at the community level.

We need to promote language. With language im- mersion taking place at the community level, the Up-coming Workshops: “Talk to people serious language loss which is at different levels in each community will be reversed. This process will 1. Dakota Language Immersion Regional Workshop in their own lan- take time. December 12, 13, 14, 2005 – Brandon guage. If you do 2. Cree Language Immersion Regional Workshop Where do we start? By getting the communi- March 15 – 17, 2006 – it well, they’ll say, ties to come together and plan their own language immersion programs. With our qualified language 3. Ojibway Language Immersion Regional Workshop ‘God, he said teachers knowing how to set up a language immer- February 16, 17, 18, 2006 – exactly what I sion program, communities can start the process by 4. Dene Language Immersion Regional Workshop getting their ideas out there; What do they want their January 19, 20, 2006 – First Nation was thinking.’ And children to know? How do they want their children taught the language? These are just a couple of ex- 5. Oji-Cree Language Immersion Regional Workshop when they begin amples of the endless possibilities that can emerge Date TBA – Wasagamack First Nation from community planning at a regional workshop, to respect you, designated to promote the language, and language Please contact the MFNERC at (204) 940-7020 or they’ll follow you immersion programs. toll free at 1-877-247-7020 for further information. to the death.”

In-school Programs Update –Lee Iacocca by Violet Okemaw

Aaniin/Tansi to all the school staff. In the New Year, on behalf of the In-school Programs Unit, I will be sending information to all schools Another school year is quickly going by, and many of regarding 2006 Summer Institute Information, spe- us are now getting ready for the upcoming New Year. cifically the Early Years (K-Gr. 4) Literacy, Math and Science workshops which will be scheduled during Our Unit has been very busy working collaboratively the week of August 14-18, 2006. and providing professional development and other types of requested support for the individual First As well, our organization has also joined educational Nations schools. partnerships with the Kidney Foundation of Project and the IBM Data Har- I would like to say” kichi miigwech” to vest Easy Q Project to support learning the individual education authorities/ and teaching for First Nations schools. communities who were able to sponsor their school staff to participate in the In closing, please check out our IRC pro- S1-S4 ELA Roundtable Sessions, S1-S4 fessional development opportunities for Math Improvement Roundtables ses- this school year. sions, and the K- Gr. 4 Improving Math Numeracy Project workshops scheduled Mino Makwi –Zhegiishikanishinik! (Have for this year. Violet Okemaw a Merry Christmas!) Principals’ Newsletter • December 2005 3 Technology in the School

by Dave Thiessen Computer Specialist

December 5-9 was the start of Computer Fundamentals training for the Para Educators enrolled in Shamattawa. We had an enjoyable and rewarding learning time together. This training en- ables participants to acquire the necessary skills to continue the course using the Word Proces- sor, Internet, email and WebCT. Upgrades to the School Internet in the near future will enable the students to do online training us- ing these foundational skills.

Effective Leaders

...Make others feel important. If your goals and decisions are self-centred, followers will lose their enthusiasm quickly. Emphasize their strengths and contributions, not your own.

...Promote a vision. Followers need a clear idea of where you’re leading them, and they need to understand why that goal is valuable to them. Your job as a leader is to provide that vision.

...Follow the golden rule. Treat your followers the When computers way you enjoy being treated. An abusive leader (people) are networked M.Ed. Program for attracts few loyal followers. their power multiplies First Nations Educators ...Admit mistakes. If people suspect that you’re geometrically. Not only covering up your own errors, they’ll hide their can people share all that The Manitoba First Nations Education Resource mistakes, too, and you’ll lack valuable informa- Centre is currently working to have a Master tion for making decisions. information inside their of Education in School Administration program machines but they can delivered to a cohort of First Nations educators. ...Criticize others only in private. Public praise reach out and instantly There is a possibility that the partnering institu- encourages others to excel, but public criticism tion will be the University of Manitoba. How- tap the power of other only embarrasses and alienates everyone ever, this has yet to be finalized. The program machines (people) es- will likely be delivered over a three year period, ...Stay close to the action. You need to be vis- sentially making the beginning July 2006. Courses would be deliv- ible to the members of your organization. Talk ered on campus over the summers and through entire network their to people, visit other offices and work sites, ask distance education. Students wishing to enroll computer. questions, and observe how business is being will have to meet the admission requirements handled. Often you will gain new insights into of the particular institution for Graduate Stud- your work and find new opportunities for motivat- –Scott McNeelly ies. This will mean a GPA of 3.5 if the U of M ing your followers. is in fact the partnering institution. There may be other requirements and stipulations. All of ...Make a game of competition. The competitive these things have yet to be finalized. drive can be a valuable tool if you use it cor- rectly. Set team goals, and reward members who As soon as arrangements are completed, of- meet or exceed them. Examine your failures, and ficial notices will be sent out to all schools and celebrate your group’s success. Education Authorities so please be on the look out. We plan to have notices out before the -Ragan Communications, Inc Christmas Break.

4 December 2005 • Principals’ Newsletter You are en- rolled in a full- The Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre time informal Presents school caled 4th ANNUAL CLAN LIFE. Each day in this school, TEACHINGSTHE MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATIONWORKSHOP RESOURCE CENTRE you will have Presents January 4th ANNUAL CLAN TEACHINGS WORKSHOPSagkeeng the opportunity 26 - 28 First Nation to learn 2006 Manitoba lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.

–Seneca Wolf Clan Teaching Lodge

“CLANS TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION” JANUARY 26, 27, 28, 2006 The Manitoba First NationsFAMILY Education TREATMENT Resource CENTRE Centre (MFNERC), through the Aboriginal LanguagesSAGKEENG Initiative (ALI), FIRST is NATIONproud to host the 4TH Annual

Clan Teachings“By knowing Workshop.your clan, one becomesThe theme more for aware the of Workshopwho you are asis a“Clans person withTradition a - al Knowledgeresponsibility for theto your Next fellow Generation.” man.” George M. Courchene, Elder, Sagkeeng First Nation

The purpose and For intent More of the info 4th Annual contact Clan Teachi the ngsMFNERC Workshop will focus on individualat (204) teachings 940-7020 of each clan, or and toll how free it applies at 1-877-247-7020 to everyday traditional life. The role of the Clan Mother will also be addressed. The gathering will facilitate several information sessions. Principals’ Newsletter • December 2005 5 Come join us in this 3-day workshop about the Clan systems, the teachings and the value of this knowledge in today’s contemporary context.

For more information please contact Charles Courchene, Workshop Coordinator (204) 367-2568 or the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (204) 940-7020 or toll free at 1-877-247-7020. We are imper- fect beings in a very imperfect world, and the one thing we can count on is that things will Manitoba First Nations go wrong, and that each and Education Resource Centre every one of us will have prob- & lems. Keewatin Community College –Bob Parsons

Para Educator Graduates 2004

6 December 2005 • Principals’ Newsletter Our most pro- ductive invest- ment remains our people. It is through the dedication, Manitoba First Nations skills and ini- tiative of our Education Resource Centre people that Visy Industries has & prospered and will continue to Keewatin Community College move ahead.

–Richard Pratt

Para Educator Graduates 2004

Principals’ Newsletter • December 2005 7 Creating a Shared School Vision

Community people can engage in meaningful dia- logue without blaming or pointing fingers at each other or school staff if we focus on questions about the future and ask for their help, involvement and support. For example:

AS YOU KNOW this exercise below is part of the process we use to facilitate the Community-based Describe Your Ideal School School Planning in First Nation Communities. The main reason why I want to share this exercise with If you were watching the activities in your ideal you is to illustrate the common sense approach to school, what would you see? a very slow process and to show you that it is not difficult. The key to discovering areas where we need Using phrases or paragraphs, describe what you to improve in a school is to identify where we need see the students doing? to go. Using phrases or paragraphs, describe what you To begin we need to think see the teachers doing? about an exercise in vision- ing – creating the future Using phrases or paragraphs, describe what you we (school and community) see the administrators doing? want to work toward - “If we could create the school of Using phrases or paragraphs, describe what you our dreams, what would the see the visiting parents doing? school look like and what impact would it be having Using phrases or paragraphs, describe what you on students in the future?” see the community members doing?

Carefully constructed focus questions are very use- “A leader who stands ful in guiding people in their discussions especially no taller than the rest if the questions are easy to understand and the After community people and school staff have identi- of his people stands in guidelines, ground rules and procedures for group fied and shared their values and beliefs, the process of consensus building begins. You will begin the the centre of a circle discussions are established and clearly articulated. For example these questions can be used: exercise of looking at the ideas you collected and and speaks the voice framing them around a vision statement that reflects of the minds and souls 1. Where do we want to see education in five the community and school goals as well as the standards mandated from the community. At the end he hears around him” years time? of the exercise you will have created a community 2. What do you believe education can do for us vision statement that describes what people want – Manuel and Posluns and our families? their schools to do for their children and what this (1974) The Fourth World school will look like when they reach their destina- 3. What are we willing to do to support our be- tion. I hope this information is helpful for the school liefs? (individually) leaders who want to develop and create a shared vision statement and want the parents, students, 4. How can we as a community achieve this? and teachers to be pleased and proud of the school they are running. n 5. What is the one most important thing we need to realize our vision? -Elmer Everett

8 December 2005 • Principals’ Newsletter Community Based School Planning News…

THE MISKOOSEEPI SCHOOL Administra- tion in the continue to lead the community and school in completing a Community Based School Improvement Plan. A first meeting with the new administration got underway in mid- October. A consistent schedule of monthly planning session for staff and community has been confirmed. New Principal, Mr. Kent Vanderput and Vice-Principal Helen Young are eager to get on with the pro- cess in partnering with the community. In the afternoon of November 1, 2005, the first phase of the planning process was reviewed and decisions were made to pro- ceed with phase two being the develop- ment of an action plan. The first planning session with school staff and community is scheduled for December 6, 2005.

Welcome to Director/Principal Kandi McCorrister at Lake Manitoba First Nation School. This is a Nursery to Grade 8 school with a student enrollment of 205. Students in the S1-S4 programs are bussed out to Lundar, Manitoba. The community school based ac- tion plan was completed during the previous school year. An initial meeting took place on November 30, 2005 to review and reflect and to set up a schedule of planning dates to complete all phases of the plan. The first planning session is scheduled for January 18, 2006. Mrs. McCorrister is eager to get started and is committed to working with the students of Highlights for this year Schools are serv- Lake Manitoba. A community/school gathering and feast to launch ing as core or- The efforts of the school administration and staff the Cree Dictionary took place on November 23, are reflected by the interest in attendance and ganizations, col- 2005 in Fisher River Cree Nation. There were ap- participation at the first parent-teacher interviews for proximately 200 people in attendance to honor and this year. Door prizes promoting health eating was laborating with share in the successful efforts of the Cree Devel- well received. A recent informational meeting on the opment Committee and Elders. The children of the agencies in the topic of “Crystal Meth” for community and school Charles Sinclair School will benefit from this excel- was held in the school gymnasium and was well at- lent grass roots resource for years to come. community and tended. The staff are working as a team to encour- age extra school curricular activities. Partnering providing a central Director/Principal Nora Murdock’s goal is to lead and with surrounding communities and with community support the development of a bi-lingual language ap- businesses to develop successful and high interest location where proach model to add to the school curriculum. school activities is a major focus to encourage the multiple agencies use of the school facilities in the evening. Cheers to Drug Prevention is on-going throughout the school the school administration, school staff and parents year at the Charles Sinclair School. The school staff can come to meet for their interest, support and commitment in the and community agencies are partnering to make this school improvement planning. one of their joint priorities in working toward a safe student needs. and healthy community. Welcome to the new Vice-Principals Byron Murdock, –unknown and Davin Dumas at the Charles Sinclair School in A new project called the Rainbow House Wellness Fisher River Cree Nation. Nora Murdock is the Direc- Centre is in the beginning stages of development. tor/Principal of this Nursery to Senior 4 School. This is being developed through an interagency ap- Congratulations! Nora for leading the staff and com- proach. A vision has been developed and a beauti- munity in developing a Community/School Based ful logo has been created by the creative thoughts Plan last year. The development of a school plan is and hands of Chad Mallet who is a student at the continuous and the scheduled planning sessions Charles Sinclair School. n with the working groups has already begun for this year again. Plans are getting started with a tracking -Doreen McPherson system for the implementation.

Principals’ Newsletter • December 2005 9 World Indigenous People

Official Welcome!

Formal Presenta- tions

Meeting friends from Australia, Hawaii...

Man’s mind, was with great pride that I had the our traditional values and highlight and Itprivilege to represent the University share our common strengths as indig- College of the North and the Manitoba First enous peoples. Most certainly it was an once stretched Nations Education Resource Centre at the honour to be one of the many representa- World Indigenous People’s Conference on tives from Canada, and to be able to speak by a new idea, Education (WIPCE) November 27 – Decem- of the outstanding strides and accomplish- ber 1st , 2005. This five-day conference ments that the First Nations of Manitoba never regains was held in Hamilton, New Zealand, home have made as a result of the partnerships to the Maori people. between the MFNERC and the schools that By Lorne Keeper its original di- support us. Throughout the conference, there were different themes. They included: Leadership, Research and I was very intrigued with the strong belief the Maori mensions. Development, and New Horizons of Knowledge. have in taking back of their sovereignty. This is evident in all that they do. The next WIPCE 2008 will This conference was diverse, reflecting the unique be held in Melbourne, Australia. I would encourage -- Oliver Wendell challenges and approaches indigenous peoples all First Nations to send delegate(s) to this upcoming Holmes, Jr., have in creating better educational systems for their conference. n people. Delegates from across the world attended American jurist from places such as Australia, Botswana, Cuba, and Ekosi!! India just to name a few. Workshops and presenta- tions were as diverse as the people who presented them. Topics ranged from science, “Space, the Final Frontier: Spatial relations and Indigenous Cultures” to post-secondary issues; “Empowering Indigenous Students: A Unique Student Support Program at an Australian University”. Over the three days of work- shops (the first and last day were plenary activities), hundreds of workshops were presented. Of course I was only able to attend a handful of workshops but I met many, many people who shared the same ideas and concerns that we, here in Manitoba have. Over- all this conference was an opportunity to celebrate our collective achievements, recognize and reaffirm Afternoon Tea. Time to get to the next session. 10 December 2005 • Principals’ Newsletter Conference on Education

WIPCE Village Site

Cultural Performances

Maori Protocol, Dance and Art

AANIIN/TANSI/KIA ORA! people have ensured that the language Aim for success, not (Kia Ora means hello in the Maori instruction from Kindergarten to the Language) university is utilized within New Zealand. perfection. Never give up your right to In November 2005, I was one of the Like the Maori people in New Zealand, fortunate staff members along with other many of our challenges as First Nations/ be wrong, because colleagues to attend the 4-day 2005 Aboriginal people in Canada pertaining WIPCE conference in Hamilton, New to the importance of retaining our then you will lose Zealand. linguistic and cultural traditions are the ability to learn similar, and shared equally by other We attended many sessions and toured -By Violet Okemaw, Indigenous peoples around the world. new things and a few places while we were there. In-school Programs Coordinator, I also had the opportunity to see some move forward with As one of the delegates from Manitoba, Canada, I of the cultural performances performed by the Maori your life. Remem- would like to share some of my own personal and dancers and singers, and to participate in a few professional experiences as a First Nations learner/ mini tours initiated by our Executive Director, Lorne ber that fear always educator. Keeper. Lorne had no difficulty driving on the right side of the driver’s seat, and on opposite side of the lurks behind perfec- First of all, I was very enlightened to hear and streets. tionism. listen to the Maori language spoken daily and continuously within informal conversations and The conferences’ themes were on Leadership, at workshop sessions by the young and old. I am Research and Development, and on New Horizons – David M. Burns very grateful that my parents taught me our First of Knowledge. The workshops were 30 minutes in Nations language when I was young, as I am still duration, and when I was able to locate the individual able to speak and write in the Saulteaux/Ojibwe sessions, I managed to participate in presentations language. At one time, it was mentioned that the on literacy, charter schools, art programming, Maori language was spoken by very few people, and educational movement of Maori students, Using could have been extinct if the people did not take Technology to support the native ways of knowing responsibility to revitalize their own language and the skies, and Aboriginal ways of Knowing, to name cultural traditions. It is truly amazing that the Maori a few. n Principals’ Newsletter • December 2005 11 Life is like a Elders Treaty Video Series library owned by an author. In it are a few books which he wrote him- self, but most of them were written for him

– Harry Emerson Fosdick THE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT UNIT is pleased to present a unique multi-media production about News from the IRC/Library the Elders understanding of the different in Manitoba. The interviews were originally Merry Christmas to everyone! As most of you designed to be used as a resource tool for the First know we have moved to a new location. It was Nations Law course, however as the project evolved a huge undertaking to pack and unpack all the it became apparent that the project can be used as resources in the Winnipeg Instructional Re- a multifaceted education tool for all grade levels and source Centre. I would like to give a big thanks subject areas. The interviews are conducted in the to Melissa Daniels, our Library Assistant, for First Nation languages with English subtitles. The all her hard work in making this move possible. videos begin with a historical background of the Trea- Melissa would just like to inform everybody that ties followed by the Elders talking about their under- the resources in the Winnipeg IRC are available standing of the Treaties and the First Nation� history, for loan and if you are interested in borrowing beliefs and values. The interviews were conducted resources please call her at 940-7020 or toll with Elder �ranny Betsy Anderson from Tadoule Lake, free at 1-877-247-7020. Elder Elijah Mayham from Split Lake, Elder Gideon McKay from Cross Lake and Elder Victor Courchene In other IRC news: from Sagkeeng. We are pleased and excited to offer an intro- duction to basic library training in the areas of If you are interested in signing out a copy or any of cataloguing and processing. These sessions our other resources, please contact: would be offered on-site at our Winnipeg and Thompson offices. An information package was MFNERC–Instructional Resource Library faxed out to all schools on Dec 6. If you did not Lois Daniels-Mercredie, Library Technician or receive the information please give myself or Melissa Daniels, Library Assistant Melissa a call and we will be happy to send the Telephone #: (204) 940-7020 Ext. 7040 information. Email Address: [email protected] From all the IRC/Library staff here in Winnipeg, MFNERC–Instructional Resource Library Thompson and Dauphin we wish you all a safe Thompson Office and happy holidays. Barbara Dollmont, Library Technician Telephone #: (204) 677-0930 Ext. 0936 Lois Mercredie–Library Specialist Email Address: [email protected]

MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE

WINNIPEG OFFICE DAUPHIN OFFICE THOMPSON OFFICE 1151 Sherwin Road 508 Main Street South 202-79 Selkirk Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3H 0V1 Dauphin, MB R7N 1L2 Thompson, MB R8N 0M5 Phone: (204) 940-7020 Phone: (204) 622-8850 Phone: (204) 677-0930 Toll Free: 1-877-247-7020 Toll Free: 1-877-388-8850 Toll Free: 1-877-879-0930 Fax: (204) 942-2490 Fax: (204) 622-8859 Fax: (204) 677-0938

12 December 2005 • Principals’ Newsletter