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Events

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples: Understanding Traditional Teachings, Histories, Current Issues and Cultures, Specialist (Queen’s, Winter 2025, Online)

January 20, 2025 to April 4, 2025

  • Category: AQ, Online
  • Region: Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario, GTA, Northern Ontario, Outside Ontario, Southern Ontario
  • Topic: Indigenous Education, Native Studies
  • Grades: Intermediate (grades 7-10), JK-SK, Junior (grades 4-6), Primary (grades 1-3), Senior (grades 11-12)

This course, First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Peoples Specialist: Understanding Traditional Teachings, Histories, Current Issues and Cultures, focuses on the meaning and implications of colonization of the education system and outlines components necessary for the decolonization process to begin. The characteristics of traditional pedagogy, such as language, inclusivity, and collaborative leadership are explored, as well as the concept of teacher research in classrooms and schools.

Following the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the modules in this course emphasize the need to review, and possibly revise and rewrite, current curriculum in order to provide FNMI material that is respectful and authentic. Throughout the course there is also significant reference to the need for appropriate partnerships and collaboration between the education system and FNMI communities and organizations.

Course Learning Expectations

In this course you will have the opportunity to:

• determine the meaning of, and necessity for, decolonizing education in Canada as part of reconciliation
• recognize the connection between language and the decolonization process
• explain the connections between traditional pedagogy and inclusive education
• review, revise, and rewrite curriculum in order to reflect FNMI world views, philosophy, and pedagogy
• prepare for designing, developing, and delivering new FNMI-integrated curriculum that is respectful and authentic
• describe traditional leadership models in the education system

REQUIREMENTS

1) OCT Membership showing completion of Part 2.

2) CONFIRMATION OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE FORM

Signed by a Supervisory Official* from your School Board confirming that you have two years (388 days) of teaching experience since becoming a certified teacher, one year (194 days) of which is in the subject area of this course.

*The Ontario College of Teachers defines “Supervisory Official” as the Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of the school board for a teacher employed by a Board of Education. A principal or headmaster is not recognized in this capacity. For a teacher employed by a private school, the “supervisory official” is the Ministry of Education official (Education Officer) appointed to your school. For overseas experience the appropriate Supervisory Official is the person your Principal reports to.

**Please note that a new form is always required for a Part 3 (Specialist) course as experience is course/subject specific.