Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom

Emotion is missing from present-day education.
I’m talking about feeling wonder as we notice
sap run, witness tree growth, hold moss, pick
berries, dig clams, skin a seal. Emotion is also
embedded in the chants and songs that go with
these experiences and activities.
participant, Tsaxis
Worldview is a way of thinking about the
world. Perspective comes from learning and
experience. The two are interconnected, but
whereas students can learn about Aboriginal
worldviews, they need experiences to acquire
an understanding of the perspectives.
participant, Burnaby
Aboriginal education involves hands-on
learning and finding new ways to teach and
learn within and outside of the traditional
education systems (e.g., inviting community
members into the classroom).
participant, Tsaxis
Use storytelling, sign language, and games
to to create opportunities for experiential
education. The challenge is to maintain the
integrity of material drawn from Aboriginal
sources (through the help of local resource
people) while at the same time helping kids
meet provincial learning expectations.
participant, West Kelowna
Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom: Moving Forward
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