Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom

Injecting music into what we do to will help us to
better understand the culture. Drug and alcoholfree
Métis gatherings in various locations draw
musicians from all across western Canada and the
US. If one were occurring nearby, it would be a great
way to build awareness of Métis culture in your area.
participant, Williams Lake
Connections between mathematics and
language in our school are a principal challenge.
Our teachers adjust the math curriculum to
integrate explanation of concepts and practice
of skills into culture and language — not the
other way around. They have helped us develop
a project-based approach that works.
participant, West Kelowna
We need to develop our language curriculum and
our own curriculum resources. Our knowledge
has been oral tradition and has only been written
recently. We need more Indigenous languages in
the early years too. I want my Chilcotin classes
to learn more complex language, not just place
names, colours, etc. Improved language teaching
will require us to have traditional speakers in the
school system. …Also, guest speakers who will
share their stories.
participant, Williams Lake
Aboriginal language needs to be reintroduced
and its importance recognized. Over the last
200 years there has been a systematic attempt
to wipe out all of the languages. We need to
see leadership interested in learning and using
place names and different aspects of the local
language, such as greetings and other basic
expressions. For example, Elkwood School has
a Ktunaxa name that is based on the name
of the place, as does Mt. Baker Secondary.
Recognizing Aboriginal place names and
posting indigenous-language welcome signs in
the school are easy first steps in bringing the
language into schools. The same practice can
then be extended out into the community (e.g.,
the territorial map and statue at the airport).
participant, ?Aq’am
Programs that support language learning
tend to be repetitive (very little developmental
progression), so a staged curriculum is needed;
also needed are partnerships with colleges.
Partnerships with communities are sure to be
helpful, as parent involvement is key. Since
not all parents are able to support language
development by learning it in the home,
work may be needed to create/establish and
support communities of parents who speak the
language and who will welcome in kids from
other families for the immersion experience.
participant, Williams Lake
Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom: Moving Forward
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