MANITOBA EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE VISION MISSION “Support First Nations to develop and implement a comprehensive To help First Nations improve education for all learners to achieve: holistic educational system inclusive of First Nations languages, • mino-pimatisiwin (, Ojibway, Oji-Cree)” world views, values, beliefs and traditions with exemplary academic • honso aynai (Dene)” standards, under First Nations jurisdiction.” • tokadakiya wichoni waste (Dakota)”

www.mfnerc.org Volume 5, Issue 4 Moving Towards Improving Communication

PEGUIS,MB – School Administra- “The most basic and tion Specialists, Doreen McPherson and Elmer Everett of the powerful way to connect First Nations Education Resource to another person is to Centre facilitated a communica- tions workshop, Wednesday, Feb- listen. Just listen. Perhaps ruary 23, 2006. Nine staff of The Peguis Free Spirits Child Care Cen- the most important thing tre along with the five staff of The Peguis Family Centre Headstart we ever give each other is Program attended the workshop. our attention…. A loving As early learning Child- silence often has far more Care Centres, the Daycare and Headstart programs are power to heal and to con- the first educational build- ing blocks for our children. nect than the most well- These centres provide two intentioned words”. very different services to our community and even though -Rachel Naomi Remen the mission of each program is similar, the atmosphere and School Administration Specialists, INSIDE THIS ISSUE: daily routines are different. Doreen McPherson & Elmer Everett. As Early Childhood Educa- Frances Thompson is the Su- munication” and what communi- Announcing Courses tors, we also need building blocks pervisor of The Peguis Free Spirits cation means. Available in 2006-2007 ...... 2 to learn. We have little impression- Child Care Centre and she is the Core Values of Bannock able eyes upon us. We need to set When both groups united, it person that contacted Doreen to River School Staff ...... 2 goals for ourselves so the children set up a workshop dealing with gave the group an opportunity to can be given the same blocks to the issue of communication. The share insights of each other’s jobs Service Delivery learn from. group focused on the word “com- CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Map ...... 3 Red Sucker Lake School Youth Camp ...... 4 Dene Language Immersion Cree Language Symposium held in Edmonton Workshop ...... 5 Safe Storage of Chemicals EDMONTON, AB – In February, in Science ...... 6 Dave Swanson and I were invited to make a presentation at the Cree Symposium in Edmonton, Alberta. We shared our experiences and findings about the Community Based School planning process be- ing initiated with Manitoba First Nation schools. It was a great chal- lenge to create the presentation to- tally in Cree. We also attended the Science Fair Photos ...... 7 Western Canadian First Nations Dakota Tipi First Nations Educational Administrators’ Con- Discusses Change ...... 8 ference.

This trip allowed us to visit schools in Edmonton and in the surround- ing area. We visited the four Er- Chief Clifford Lynxleg Anishinabe School mineskin Cree Nation schools VALLEY RIVER, MB – Chief Clif- Paulette had noticed that operated by Miyo Wahkohtowin ford Lynxleg Anishinabe School communication in and around Education Authority in Hobbema, is located on the Tootinaowazi- school was weak and school staff Alberta. The Ermineskin Kinder- ibeeng Treaty Reserve otherwise needed some work to improve garten Community School offers known as Valley River. Paulette communication. She contacted K4 and K5 programs, under a bi- Ironstand has recently taken the Doreen McPherson at the MF- lingual program, named Niniso- role of Principal for the Chief NERC and requested a half day hkamatonan. The unique aspect Clifford Lynxleg Anishinabe workshop for all school staff on of this school is the emphasis on School in March. a strong Cree language and cul- CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Fluent Cree speaker and teacher Ms. P. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Mackinaw (left) MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – May 2006 1 MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE Moving Towards Improving Communication

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and experiences that they found Communication exercises are were difficult to handle. now being implemented into each program – having an action plan The half-day session gave us in place to deal with unexpected valuable tools to use on a daily ba- grievances is the best tool that was sis, with co-workers; parents and given to us. concerned individuals. Unexpect- edly, each person was able to con- Thanks to Doreen McPherson tribute to the workshop, we broke and Elmer Everett from MFNERC into groups and worked together, for continuing to nurture our path we were thrown into a knot and to life long learning. without any help we were capable –Delores Wallbridge, Peguis Family of finding a way out. At the end Centre Headstart Program Supervisor of the workshop we were all able to understand, receive and extend what communication is.

“Personal leadership is Announcing Courses Available in 2006-2007 the process of keeping The Research Development about traditional skills and values • Community Studies your vision and values Unit (RDU) is pleased to enclose a of the land and issues that are a • Hunting, general listing of School Initiated concern to First Nations people. In • Fishing before you and aligning Courses (SIC) that are available for addition, students will learn about • Trapping the upcoming 2006-2007 school their Treaty & Aboriginal Rights your life to be congruent year. All the courses have been and the law-making process in Ca- Should your school be interest- developed by the representatives nadian society. ed in offering any of these courses with them”. of the First Nations High schools, please call our office and ask for communities and organizations in Our hope is that these courses any of the staff from the Research – Stephen Covey, American Lead- consultation with the staff of the will be offered as separate courses and Development Unit. ership Consultant and Writer RDU and with other partnerships and will replace the catch term Na- –Florence Paynter such as the Fur Institute of tive Studies. Research & Development Coordinator and Manitoba Education Training Available for the fall are the fol- and Youth. lowing list of courses:

As most educators know, it is • First Nations Law 1 &2 always beneficial to allow the stu- • First Nations Land Issues Core Values of Bannock River School Staff dents the opportunity to explore alternate programs which reinforce • First Nations Leadership for A school that can identify its core beliefs and values has created the positive self-esteem by learning Youth an empowering framework for monitoring how well the school is First Nation value-based program- • First Nations: Governance; Na- doing and whether individual strategies and activities are aligned ming. Through these courses, tion Building with core values. students have an opportunity to • First Nations Issues arouse their interest in learning 1. We will teach to the agreed upon course objectives and provide • World Indigenous Issues evidence of student achievement of those objectives. 2. We will make full use of the instructional time alotted to us. Don’t forget the teachings of the an- 3. We will demonstrate our belief and expectation that all students cestors. In their path we will find can achieve the objectives of the courses to which they are as- hope for the future. signed. 4. We will help to insure an orderly atmosphere that is conducive to learning throughout the building. Maya elder, speaking of the need to maintain Mayan ethnicity in the face of the con- flict in Guatemala. Quoted in Victor D. Montejo (1997), “The Pan-Mayan Move- 5. We will treat all members of the school community with re- ment, Mayans at the doorway of the new millenium.” Cultural Survival Quarterly. spect.

2 MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – May 2006 MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE Cree Language Symposium held in Edmonton, Alberta

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 knowledge and experiences will The students participate in daily prepare them for reading, writing Cree instruction, which assists tural program as part of the daily and activity based. These children and math. their spiritual, emotional, intellec- instruction. There is one Cree Im- are learning to speak their lan- These schools are dedicated to tual and physical development. mersion Kindergarten class, under guage and learning who they are as the continuing survival of the First the direction of Ms. P. Mackinaw, Inniwak. This solid foundation of a Nation culture. Monthly assem- – George Ross, who is a high energy, fluent Cree language rich environment giving blies and ceremonies are held to School Administration Specialist speaker. Learning is child directed children the vocabulary, language emphasize unity and spirituality.

Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre www.mfnerc.com Legend

1 NORTH Barren Lands Marcel Colomb (Black Sturgeon) Fox Lake Lac Brochet (Northlands) Nisichawayasihk (Nelson House) Mathias Colomb Oxford House God’s Lake Manto Sipi (God’s River) (Tadoule Lake) Shamattawa Tataskweyak (Split Lake) War Lake York Factory

2 CENTRAL NORTH Chemawawin (Easterville) Mosakahiken (Moose Lake) Norway House Opaskwayak (The Pas) Pimicikamak (Cross Lake) Sapotaweyak (Shoal River) Wuskwi-Sipihk (Indian Birch) 1 Garden Hill Red Sucker Lake St. Theresa Point Wasagamack “A shrinking language minor-

3 INTERLAKE (SOUTHWEST) Dauphin River ity cannot be saved by the Fairford Fisher River Grand Rapids actions of well-wishers who Kinonjeoshtegon (Jackhead) Lake Manitoba Long Plain do not belong to the minority Dakota Plains Dakota Tipi Lake St. Martin in question. In particular, its Little Saskatchewan Peguis 2 Sandy Bay shrinking cannot be halted by 4 WEST Ebb and Flow the action, however benevolent Gamblers Keeseekoowenin O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi (Crane River) and intelligent, of a modern Pine Creek Rolling River Tootinao-waziibeeng (Valley River) centralized state. It can be Waterhen Waywayseecappo Birdtail Sioux saved only by itself: and then Canupawakpa (Oak Lake) Swan Lake Sioux Valley only if its members acquire

5 SOUTHEAST Berens River the will to stop it shrinking, 3 Bloodvein Brokenhead Buffalo Point acquire the institutions and Hollow Water 4 5 Little Black River financial means to take ap- Pauingassi Poplar River Roseau River propriate measures, and take Sagkeeng them”. (Fennel 1980, p.39)

Service Delivery Areas as of July, 2000

MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – May 2006 3 MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE Red Sucker Lake School Youth Camp

RED SUCKER LAKE, MB – Valeda “An idea that is devel- Harper is the Resource Teacher at Red Sucker Lake School and is do- oped and put into action ing a fantastic job with the stu- is more important than dents. She coordinates the School Youth Camp every year in May. an idea that exists only as an idea”. She tries to give incentives for the students that have good atten- -Buddha dance. A lot of activities take place all weekend long and she has pre- senters come in to speak with the students. There are more and more students enrolled in this weekend event.

She and the Principal, Mr. Wes- ley Harper, play a major part in this, and she is requesting volun- teers to help. If anyone has materi- als, supplies and ideas, these would be very much appreciated. Valeda Harper and Principal, Mr. Wesley – Don Shackel and Sylvia Henwood, Harper (right) Special Education Specialists

Chief Clifford Lynxleg Anishinabe School

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Anything not understood in more than one way is “Communication.” Doreen was assisted by two of her colleagues, not understood at all.” Dr. Betty Abigosis and Elmer Ev- Bob Kizlik erett both School Administration Specialists for the MFNERC. There CONTACT US: were 26 participants in the work- shop including Teachers, Teacher Head Office Portage La Prairie, Manitoba Assistants, Bus Drivers, Mainte- R1N 3B5 nance and School Administration. 5000 Crescent Road West Doreen McPherson, Dr. Betty Toll Free:1(866) 331-9561 Abigosis and Elmer Everett facili- Fax:1(204) 857-4576 tated different activities and pre- MFNERC Sub-Office sented information to the school 1151 Sherwin Road staff throughout the afternoon Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0V1 and ensured the hands-on and the Phone: (204) 940- 7020 interactive approach of the work- Toll Free: 877- 247- 7020 shop was executed in a meaningful Fax: (204) 942- 2490 and relevant way. MFNERC DAUPHIN Sub-Office 508 Main Street South At the end of the workshop Dauphin, Manitoba participants developed a strong R7N 1L2 awareness of the importance of Phone: (204) 622- 8850 good communication in a school Toll Free: 877- 388- 8850 Fax: (204) 622- 8859 organization. The day ended with a circle prayer and a discussion of MFNERC THOMPSON Sub-Office the school’s mission statement. 202-79 Selkirk Avenue Thompson, Manitoba This was a good afternoon and we R8N 0M7 all enjoyed facilitating the session. Phone: (204) 677- 0930 Toll Free: 877- 879- 0930 –Elmer Everett Fax: (204) 677- 0938 School Administration Specialist 4 MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – May 2006 MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE Dene Language Immersion Workshop

SAYISI DENE FIRST NATION, MB – I had the opportunity to assist with the Dene Language Immer- sion Workshop held on the Sayisi Dene First Nation, March 23, & Peter Yassie 24, 2006. The main purpose of this workshop was to develop strategies with the community on how to School maintain the language and how it can be passed on to the future lead- ers of the community.

Thomas Duck Sr. opened the workshop with an opening prayer, and Brian Sandberry, Simon Cut- lip and Arthur Duck sang with the hand drum. Evan Yassie, who was the community coordinator, gave an introduction to the group which included background infor- mation about the MFNERC and the Aboriginal Languages Initiative.

In attendance were 5 commu- nity elders who were willing to share their knowledge about how Elders; David and Mariah Duck much the language and culture has changed since the relocation to Tadoule Lake. They discussed ways the school can become involved in preserving and maintaining the Dene language starting with the pre-school children, by giving in- struction and speaking only Dene to the students. Using media such as videos, audio tapes and comput- ers to teach Dene to the students was also discussed. These strate- gies will need commitment from the leadership of Tadoule Lake and support from the parents and com- munity.

The evening started with a song With the support of the Teach- from Principal Gerald Does and ers, Principal, Education Director, continued with a supper for com- Chief & Council, the Dene lan- munity members, elders, and stu- guage will be spoken fluently by all dents at the Peter Yassie School in the Sayisi Dene First Nation. I gym. It was enlightening to see the am honored I had the opportunity youth hand drum group perform to participate in such an important and demonstrate traditional hand event. games for the elders and other –Beverly McKay Elders; Thomas community members. Community Education Secretary and Mariah Duck

Key Questions For School-wide Rules

1. Does your school have agreed upon set of school-wide community) team meet? rules? 11. Does the climate committee (teachers and community) 2. Are students and school staff able to recite the school- review the school data at their meetings? wide rules? 12. How often is the data summarized and reported to the 3. Do adults acknowledge students meeting school-wide school? expectations? 13. Are you using office referral forms requiring administra- 4. Has your school collaboratively identified 1-2 objectives tive action? for intervention? 14. Is the office form used as a behavior tracking form? 5. Is your school now actively measuring realization of the objective(s) identified? 6. How often is data collected? 7. Who is involved in data collection? 8. Who is responsible for managing or entering data? 9. Has a school climate committee (teachers and commu- nity) been formed? 10. How often does the climate committee (teachers and

MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – May 2006 5 MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE Safe Storage of Chemicals in Science

AFTER GETTING a number of re- quests from schools about storage of chemicals in science, I would like to review some information about this problematic situation. Storage is not always the big prob- lem; it’s the disposal that can cause the headaches.

The first thing to remember about ordering chemicals for science is to thoroughly check your present in- ventory for items you may already have. I have seen schools have 4 or 5 containers of the same chemical. When I inquired about how much they use, the answer many times is that there is minimal usage. Or- ders have been put in not realiz- “For the first time in the history of the world, ing that some chemical is already available. every human being is now subjected to con- tact with dangerous chemicals, from the mo- That then leads to the first thing that should be done in the science ment of conception until death”. lab. There should be a yearly in- -Rachel Louise Carson ventory of not only chemicals in storage but also the available equip- ment. This inventory should state ine, once these retaining clips cor- of chemicals. Each method be hired to come in and dis- the chemical, amount, ordered rode enough, the whole shelf with can only be done with a spe- pose of these chemicals. But re- date, location, and expiry date. all the chemicals can fall down. cific type of chemical. It is member, it is expensive and at This inventory should be done and your responsibility to know the school’s cost. That’s why it correlated to location. The science storeroom needs a how chemicals are properly is important to consider these number of different facility safety disposed of. Once again, the costs when first ordering these The storage of chemicals is done items. Some of these items are; ex- above website is a great refer- chemicals. based on their chemical properties. plosion proof lights, switches, fans, ence. NOT by alphabetical order! In fact, GFI outlets, etc. The previous discussion was not it can be extremely dangerous to • Chemicals can be disposed of tended to be all inclusive about store chemicals this way. As years A great website to use for proper by flushing into drains, land this topic. It is a starting point to go by, vapors from chemicals tend storage is the through the Mb Dept. filling, incinerating and re- consider about your science store to interact with each other. This of Education. http://www.edu.gov. claiming. Usually only the in- room. Further information and interaction can lead to explosions mb.ca/ks4/docs/support/scisafe/ ert chemicals can be flushed services can be done by contacting or fires. Chemical contamination chapter6.html down a drain or land filling in one of the science specialists at the by this can also put students in small quantities. The majority Manitoba First Nations Education Disposal of chemicals can be harms way when it comes time to of chemicals must be disposed Resource Centre. You can contact a headache for all. This is why it use these chemicals during experi- of in a legal manner using com- Rocky McKay, Rudy Subedar or is very important to know if the mentation. mercial services. The Miller En- Wilfred Buck at 940 – 7020 chemical required is absolutely vironmental Corporation can Chemical storage room must be needed for your course. Can an- locked at all times. Students are other alternative be used that is “School safety is a major concern of parents, guardians, teachers, naturally curious and want to see safer and easier to dispose of? administrators, citizens of all persuasions, and most of all, chil- what is in the storage room. The Things to consider: science storage room is a danger- dren. These concerns run the gamut from the need for schools to ous place and you know what cu- • It is probably better to order have safe playground equipment to really worry about bullying, riosity did to the cat. A storeroom in small quantities than go- physical assaults, actual physical injury and death”. ing with a bulk chemical or- should never be left unlocked dur- –Bob Kizlik on School Safety Information ing class time. der. Many times, kits can be purchased to show chemical Another important need for the concepts. In the past, I have storage room to have is proper ven- ordered bulk because I knew tilation. As mentioned previously, I would be using large quan- Maintaining Safe Schools chemicals can produce vapors. If tities during the school year. these vapors are allowed to con- What I didn’t consider was the centrate, you are asking for trouble. teachers following me after I · Learn practical methods to reduce or eliminate violence Not only can they be hazardous to left a position. Will these new · Build effective links with police your health, but as mentioned, re- teacher teach the same way I · Understand Canadian youth/gang groups activity effect can take place. This would? · Establish community co-operation ventilation system should be inde- • Cost of chemical disposal is the · Learn how inequality (racism/sexism ) contributes to violence pendent from the classroom/school responsibility of the school. · Understand current legislation and its impact on youth vent system and be exhausted out When ordering chemicals, the · Build student self esteem for a safe school of the school. This vent system ide- cost is not just the purchase · Keep staff, students, parents and grandparents aware of ally would draw the air inside the price; you also need to include hard drugs storage cabinets and storage room. what it is going to cost to dis- · Build effective community strategies for maintaining a safe school I have seen a number of store- pose of. rooms where acids have been • The self life of most chemicals stored in a non-vented cabinet. is 3 years. This is true for reac- The acid vapors have started eating tive chemicals. Inert chemicals away at the door hinges and shelf have an unlimited self life. retaining clips. As you can imag- • There are 4 methods to dispose 6 MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – May 2006 MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE

March 9, 2006

Science Fair organizers (l to r) Rocky McKay, Rudy Subedar and Wilfred Buck MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – May 2006 7 MANITOBA FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE Dakota Tipi First Nation discusses change

Norbert Mercridi is the School Principal for Dakota Tipi School and is actively working towards gaining back the confidence of Da- kota people for their school and school system. At the present time most of the community parents from Dakota Tipi First Nation are sending their children to schools in Portage La Prairie. Students attending Dakota Tipi First Nation School are former high school students from Por- tage La Prairie and Nursery impact would the school the community needs and students. This community have on children attending wishes. We will compile The In-school Programs Unit of the meeting asked the commu- the school? and organize the responses Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre nity members and parents to the four questions above There were 18 commu- to discuss and respond to and from there we should is proud to announce the the four following ques- nity members and parents be able to formulate and tions: that attended the commu- create a Vision and Mis- nity meeting on April 13, sion statement for the 2006 SUMMER INSTITUTE 1) What do parents and 2006. Chief Cornell Pashe community people of Da- school, and more impor- from Dakota Tipi First Na- tantly identify school goals August 14-18, 2006 kota Tipi need and want tion delighted us with his to move towards realizing the school to do for their presence in the meeting Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre children in school? their school vision and along with five Elders, 13 mission statements. 1808 Wellington Avenue Winnipeg, MB 2.) What do parents and parents, two teachers and • Early Years Literacy (K– Gr. 4)* school administration. An –Elmer Everett community people of Da- • Math (K– Gr. 8) kota Tipi believe good edu- evening session/meeting School Administration cation can do for their chil- has been scheduled for Specialist • Science (K– S4 April 26, 2006 mainly for dren five or ten years from *Accreditation Hours more information to follow now? those community members and parents who were not “It may not always •Keynote Address •Workshops 3.) What are the Dakota able to attend the day time be easy, convenient, Tipi people and parents meeting. willing to do to support or politically correct For more info contact: Booth Registration: those beliefs? The community meet- Violet Okemaw ing was a great success and to stand for truth Educational Display In-School Programs 4.) If you can develop and a great beginning for the and right, but it is Materials Coordinator create a good school for all school organization to be- Evelyn Crate Dakota Tipi children, what gin building a school en- the right thing to ISP Secretary would the school look like, vironment conducive to do. Always”. what things would be go- parent and community sat- Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre --M. Russell Ballard 1151 Sherwin Road ing on in there, and what isfaction and reflective of Winnipeg, MB R3H 0V1 (204) 940-7020 Calendar of Events Toll Free: 1-877-247-7020 DATE(S) EVENT TIME LOCATION CONTACT(S) May 9 Public Speaking Workshop 10:00 a.m. Regency Room Joy Keeper, Conference Coordinator, [email protected] (for student essay contest winners only) – 4:00 p.m. Victoria Inn May 10 Joe Keeper/Angela Chalmers Celebration Run 6:00 p.m. Assiniboine Park Rocky McKay, Science Specialist, [email protected] Winnipeg, MB May 10 – 12 8th Annual Lighting the Fire Conference Full Days Victoria Inn Joy Keeper, Conference Coordinator, [email protected] 1808 Wellington Avenue Winnipeg, MB May 14 Mother’s Day May 18 Improving Math Numeracy (K-4) All Day Location TBA Olga McIvor, Math Specialist, [email protected] Session 8: Mastering the Basic Facts Ashern, MB May 22 Victoria Day MFNERC Offices Closed May 26 Resource Teacher Meeting All Day Dauphin, MB Jennifer Sioux, Special Education Specialist, Dauphin Office, Location TBA [email protected] May 26 Safe Schools Conference 8:30 a.m. Peguis New School Linda Stevenson or Pam Spence Phone: (204) 645-2164 (Peguis Central School in partnership with – 4:00 p.m. Peguis First Nation or Doreen McPherson, School Administration Specialist, MFNERC) Fisher River Office, [email protected] Phone: (204) 645-4970 June 7 & 8 Offices closed MFNERC Staff Retreat Full Days Delores McKay, Office Manager, [email protected] June 8 Improving Math Numeracy (K-4) All Day Location TBA Olga McIvor, Math Specialist, [email protected] Session 9: Wrap Up Ashern, MB June 21 National Aboriginal Solidarity Day All Day MFNERC Offices Remain Open July 31 – SEU Summer Institute Full Days Tentatively Margaret Scott, Special Education Coordinator, August 4 Victoria Inn [email protected] 1808 Wellington Avenue Winnipeg, MB

8 MFNERC Principals’ Newsletter – May 2006