Educating Our Educators (March 2011) - Algoma District School Board

Greeting and Thanking Traditional VisitorsAll cultures are enriched by certain valuable and unique individuals. Such individuals possess a wide rangeof knowledge – knowledge that once shared, can expand students’ insight beyond the perspectives of theteacher and classroom resources.Elders and SenatorsWhile it is disrespectful to try to define who is an Elder in empirical terms commonly used by our largerEuropean based society, some of the aspects that are considered in determining who is an Elder include:• The Elder is recognized and respected by his/her own family and community for such attributes ashaving knowledge that is accompanied by wisdom, kindness and appropriate moral behaviour• An Elder has earned his/her knowledge through years of struggle and sacrifice and his/her authoritycomes from the spirit• An Elder has patience, caution, humility and kindness• An Elder usually is a person who is fulfilling the role of grandparent• An Elder usually is fluent in his/her first language• An Elder never asks for monetary payment for services rendered• Elders are seen to have very special and unique gifts and abilitiesElder is a "specialist: in one or more areas (e.g., traditional sacred ceremonies, legends, spiritual well being,healing process, oral history, etc). One Elder may not be able to meet all needs within a school. Forexample, an Elder who specialized in advising youth and families may not be able to conduct specificspiritual ceremonies. When approaching an Elder, schools should know what they want the Elder to do andwhat services the individual Elder is able to provide.Educating Our Educators – Educating Our Aboriginal StudentsRevised March 201167