Local Program Creates Cultural Connections
Last October the Grand Erie Elementary Teacher Local executive decided to restructure the organization. We met with staff from provincial office to discuss better ways of including members in the local. After several brainstorming sessions, we were asked to create a plan for implementing one of the ideas we had come up with. For some time Grand Erie president Susan Swackhammer had wanted to create a bridge between teachers with the Grand Erie District School Board and those in Six Nations and New Credit reserve schools. At the first local representative council meeting our stewards agreed to a proposal to form an Aboriginal Initiative Committee.
The committee was unique in that its members included a principal from the New Credit Reserve, a trustee from the Grand Erie District School Board, a representative of the professional development committee from Six Nations Reserve, an ETFO representative and teachers from Grand Erie.
We decided that there was a lot to be gained by creating partnerships. The teachers from Six Nations and New Credit wanted professional development ideas and those from Grand Erie were hoping to gain some knowledge to help them teach the Native Canadian Aboriginal content of the new curriculum.
On May 5, we hosted a professional development day at a Six Nations Reserve school. The day began with a greeting from an elder from the Reserve and then each participant attended two sessions.
During the morning break the participants had an opportunity to meet with publishers who offered a wide variety of resources. Two groups of children drumming songs during the lunch break provided a cultural experience. Participants were able to select from workshops that dealt with Aboriginal culture as well as with literacy, numeracy, and assessment.
Workshops were designed so that teachers from different grades and schools were able to meet and exchange ideas. During the collective gatherings, we encouraged participants to sit with members from different schools to brain- storm and come up with new ideas for their classrooms.
The evaluation forms we received showed the event was a success.
“Met some great friends; connected with great resource people.” “Well planned and organized. It was a pleasurable learning experience.”
“Learned very valuable information about First Nation culture. It will certainly assist me in planning units using correct terminology.”
After the event, several new members joined the committee, a testament to its success! The committee hopes to make this an annual event. We also plan on providing more opportunities throughout the school year for creating new friendships and invaluable teaching connections. The committee would like to thank ETFO for their assistance with this exciting professional development opportunity!
