Why Visit a Local First Nation?
Many students and teachers in our school board can tell you that they’ve never visited a First Nation Community. Kettle and Stony Point, Aamjiwnaang, Bkejwanong or Delaware Nation are communities that are only a short drive down the road. These Communities are home and a place of work to many First Nations people and they are rich in history with strong connections to the land.
We need to make an effort to spend time in local First Nation communities because we are unconsciously sending the message that there is more value in taking a field trip to a water park or a zoo than there is in learning from local First Nation community members in their communities. We need to shift that thinking and show our students and their families that there is value in going out to a First Nation and forming relationships with community members. Students often come to our schools with stereotypes formed. It gets very hard to hold onto those stereotypes when students are out in First Nation communities forming relationships with and learning from First Nation community members.
Rethinking Your Field Trips
I have been in conversation with teachers about how to use field trips as a way for students to experience Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing. Many teachers are interested in outdoor education and are looking for experiences that get their kids out of the classroom and onto the land.
Through planning with community partners from First Nations in the area, some teachers are taking their classes really great year end field trips.
Experiential Learning at Bkejwanong
During the months of April, May and June, Matt Sanders (Experiential Learning Coordinator), the LKDSB Indigenous Education team and First Nation partners from Bkejwanong have brought over 500 students from across the south end of the LKDSB out to Bkejwanong for some outdoor experiential learning experiences.
Students met at Highbanks Park to have a learning experience like no other.
I have compiled some photos to share what the students and teachers learned about.
With Montana Riley from the Heritage Centre, students were able to learn about the history of Bkejwanong, and what the word “Bkejwanong” means.
Students and teachers were able to sit together in the Teaching Lodge in Highbanks Park and hear stories told by Esbikenh and Bryson Kewayosh. Students also learned about treaties and why they are so important to the country of Canada and the Indigenous people of this land.
Laban Smith taught the students how to etch in birch bark.
Dallas Sinopole taught the students about the history and teachings of the game of lacrosse.
Cedric and Leighann Isaac taught the students about drumming and songs. Students were able to play shakers and sing along as well.
Minogiizhgad shared knowledge about the land of Bkejwanong with the students. He talked about history and traditions and taking care of the plants and animals.
Students were able to try archery, led by Adrian Murphy from the Bkejwanong Youth Facility.
Students were able to learn about the importance of taking care of the water with Christine Whiteye.
Rocky Sands taught the students about his life as a hunter and trapper and demonstrated how to skin a muskrat.
Summer Garcia and Julia Miskokomon taught the students how to use phragmites (an invasive species) to weave a large mat that will later be used for food drying.
It was cold, wet and very, very muddy on some of the days. The students had to ensure that they came to school dressed appropriately, and sometimes they weren’t. When the students came out for their second day of learning, they were sure to dress appropriately. I even saw a student who brought bags to put over her shoes to keep them clean and dry!
Where to Next?
It is important for teachers to remember a few things when we are leaving the classroom and visiting a community or a First Nation:
• Be respectful. You and your students are visitors in someone else’s home, and you are representatives from your school
• Be flexible. Things do not always go exactly as planned, but that’s okay! That’s what experiential education is often about!
• Ask lots of questions! Through conversation, we can get to know even more.
• Use the opportunity to try new things! Encourage your students to be adventurous and maybe taste a new food or learn a new skill.
• Learn the names of the people who are leading the learning or presenting. It’s so important to build relationships with local First Nation partners. This is a relationship that can be nurtured and could lead to future learning experiences for you and your students.
Getting out on the land to learn is something that not everyone is comfortable with. There are a lot of unknowns, but there are so many new and wonderful learning opportunities that can occur. We as teachers need to realize that there are so many really great experiences that are a just a short bus ride away. Sometimes it’s just a 20 minute bus ride down the road that will provide students with a unique experience that shows them the value of Indigenous knowledge, and it can also demonstrate to students that there’s so much to learn outside of the classroom!
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