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Why Indigenous Languages Matter and What We Can Do to Save Them | Lindsay Morcom | TEDxQueensU

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My classroom would be a mixture of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous children.  Two- eyed seeing (Etuaptmumk). The environment would be warm, welcoming, inclusive and safe.  In my classroom children would be encouraged to respect and appreciate others.   Indigenous cultures would be respected and celebrated.  Once Indigenous children feel they belong, that they are not outcast, they are more likely to complete their education and advance in life.  I would commit myself to learn more in depth about Indigenous cultures and customs to be able to develop a more meaningful and unbiased work engaged in Truth and Reconciliation.

"We call upon the federal government to eliminate the discrepancy in federal education funding for First Nations children being educated on reserves and those First Nations children being educated off reserves". (TRC calls for action #8)

“Call to action number eight calls for the federal government to eliminate the gap in funding for aboriginals’ children’s education. Eliminating this gap would result in a better education for aboriginal children which would allow them to pursue post-secondary education ultimately resulting in better opportunities for them as adults. First Nations children under 6 years of age living off reserve are more than twice as likely to live in low- income families as compared to other Canadians”. (Compiled by: Chris Vanderburgh)

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I would incorporate indoor and outdoor spaces.  I believe in the importance of fresh air, sunlight and nature for our health.  We would explore the four seasons.  During the colder months children would dress appropriately and stay outdoors for shorter periods of time.   If it is too cold, they would not go outside for more than thirty minutes. During the warmer moths we could sit under a tree, explore the surrounding through the senses, learn new vocabulary, do some yoga and much more could be done for children's intellectual, spiritual, emotional and physical development while being outdoors.  I would love to invite and Elder to teach the children Indigenous songs, share storytelling, share life experiences, the teachings of The Seven Ojibwe, share empirical knowledge of living in harmony with mother earth, and so on.  We would have books about First Nations, Inuit and Metis, we would have basic Indigenous words spread out in the interactive wall.  Indigenous children would be encouraged to feel proud of their origins.

As we ECEs are trained to create a welcoming and safe environment to children and families focused on diversity, inclusion and equity.  ECES should also acquire further training in how to indigenize curriculum, pedagogy and the whole educational atmosphere.  “For the Indigenous Peoples education is a life-long, experiential, language, tradition and cultures preserved, cooperative and it integrates Indigenous, Westerns and other knowledges”. (Budge, L, module 13, page 6)

Creating a truly inclusive, antibias, safe and welcoming environment focused on high- quality education where children, families and educators are respected and celebrated as well as cultures and traditions.

We propose integrating Indigenous holistic philosophy of learning in our school system and the rescue, preservation and the teaching of Indigenous languages.

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First would be acknowledge Indigenous Peoples were the first inhabitants of The Turtle Island and to honour them we could learn some Indigenous children's songs to celebrate their language, do some art using natural materials, dancing, read some books, learning some Indigenous arts and crafts, learn few words.  It is more about being open and receptive.  Having Indigenous guests to share experiences.

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Vanderburg, C http://www.beststart.org/resources/anti_poverty/pdf/WhyAmIPoor.pdf

Budge, L, (module 13, page 6)  What is Holistic Lifelong Learning, Blackboard, Indigenous EDU.

Morcom, L, TedxQueens U(Why Indigenous Language Matters, YouTube

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, (Updated Jan. 2022)

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Why Am I Poor, First Nations Child Poverty In Ontario - Best Start

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Home / Resources / Indigenous Child Development / Why Am I Poor, First Nations Child Poverty In Ontario Report in English for service providers working with Indigenous families living in poverty who have children under age six. (2012) $50.00 The depth and breadth of poverty in First Nations children and families in Canada is staggering.