FIRST NATIONS UNIVERSITY OF CANADA
National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education Launches New Teaching Resource Centre

The National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education (NCCIE), a nation-wide project founded by First Nations University of Canada, has launched a new, on-line Teaching Resource Centre for Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators as well as for homeschooling. Over 80 lesson plans and videos have been developed with the aim of bringing more Indigenous perspectives to teaching mainstream K-12 subjects, strengthening Indigenous languages, and encouraging learning out on-the-land.

"We are so grateful to the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities who have partnered with us over the past few years," says Dr. Jennifer Dockstator, National Project Director for NCCIE. "This initiative - creating the Teaching Resource Centre - is NCCIE's way of giving back to communities and showing our gratitude. It just so happens that the launch coincides with this very different time we are all living in with COVID-19. It is so timely to be able to make these resources available now, coming on-line when parents and teachers are searching for accessible materials to teach their students, not to mention the growing demand for resources that amplify Indigenous voices, content, and perspectives."

Housed on the NCCIE website, the lesson plans are searchable by subject and grade. Each lesson plan comes complete with learning outcomes, a teacher's guide, activities, assessment guidelines, and materials. Examples include a lesson on salmon life cycles from the perspective of the Stó:lō People of British Columbia, a lesson about math and ratios by exploring maple syrup, which is called "sweet water" by Anishinaabe Peoples, and a lesson teaching students computer coding by creating culturally responsive video games.

"The resources are designed from an Indigenous perspective-they illustrate ways of knowing, being and doing," says Belinda Daniels, the NCCIE Curriculum Coordinator for Western Canada. "The resources available are practical, and have easy-to-follow lesson plans from skilled educators of language revitalization and Indigenous education. First Nations, Métis and Inuit students will learn or relearn what their ancestors have always known and done, validating their identities."

Lesson plans and videos were co-developed with community partners across Canada in the spirit of reciprocity - to contribute to the growing educational resources that highlight Indigenous perspectives. First Nation, Métis, and Inuit community partners were asked by NCCIE if they would like to develop a learning resource of their choice, with the support of NCCIE teams. Communities took the lead on the projects, making the resulting teaching resources truly local and grounded in those communities.

"It is important to note that these resources are not one-size-fits-all'," says Dr. Bob Kayseas, Interim President of First Nations University. "First Peoples' cultural practices and knowledges differ from one People to the next. We encourage people to use lesson plans from all regions, but to recognize these differences and connect with the First Nations, Métis, or Inuit communities and organizations where you live to learn more."

The new teaching resource centre can be accessed on the NCCIE website at: https://www.nccie.ca/teaching-resource-centre/

About NCCIE

The National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education (NCCIE) is hosted by First Nations University of Canada, which has a 40-year history of being Indigenous-owned, operated, and controlled. The Centre is grounded in principles of respect, reciprocity, and relationship, which are understood in Indigenous ways and honoured according to Indigenous protocols and customs. We highlight innovative and exciting examples of Indigenous education from across the country, celebrating the dedicated work by communities to strengthen Indigenous education for all generations. We connect people at the grassroots level where education is delivered and knowledge is passed on.

About First Nations University of Canada
The First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) was founded in 1976 and is a First Nations owned post-secondary institution that aspires to have transformative impact by bridging our ceremonies, knowledge keepers, languages and traditions with the delivery of high-quality post-secondary education that will lead to the pride and success of all students, First Nations communities and Canada. For more information about FNUniv, please visit http://fnuniv.ca.