Supporting Indigenous and Metis Learners

Creating Safer Spaces: Indigenous Learning in the CALP Model

Manning Community Adult Learning & Literacy Council

This session will explore the issue of culture and its implications on Indigenous Learners in the CALP model. We will explore concepts such as cultural bias and history while exploring specific strategies that will help facilitators create learning spaces and opportunities that will more effectively meet the needs of Indigenous learners.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore Indigenous Learning Principles
  • Introduce how to better involve Indigenous communities in CALP learning spaces
  • Learn specific strategies providers can use in their classrooms and learning opportunities

Engaging with Indigenous Learners

University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills

This professional development workshop arose out of the recognition that success in an adult learning environment inclusive of Indigenous learners is best accomplished through understanding. It is unique in the sense that it engages participation from the variety of Indigenous peoples who live in the Treaty 6, 7, and 8 areas of Alberta, as well as with the Indigenous Postsecondary Educational Institutions. There is no ‘one’ singular specialization of Indigenous knowledge. Each Nation and tribe is unique, and the collaborative nature of this professional development opportunity allows you to hear the Indigenous voices in your local area.

This training is for CALP practitioners who work with or would like to work with adult Indigenous learners, but who may not have had previous opportunities to learn about Indigenous people, knowledge, issues, and culture, or who have had limited exposure to the Indigenous experience.

Learn about local, regional, and national issues of relevance to adult Indigenous learners to help you create a supportive and welcoming learning experience for Indigenous learners in your community. Connect with and build relationships with community members from your local First Nations Colleges/University.

Creating Ethical Space for Educators and Indigenous Learners

Calgary Learns

This training was designed with the critical leadership and direction of the Indigenous community and Elders, to build:

  • an understanding, capacity and strategies to support adult and foundational learning practitioners to connect with Indigenous learners and communities
  • a comprehensive understanding of historical experiences and impact that intergenerational trauma has on the Indigenous learner
  • an understanding about the need to create ethical space in order for Indigenous ways of learning to occur and for programs to enable Indigenous learners to succeed
  • an understanding on how to become a knowledgeable ally, expanding one’s relationship beyond the personal to encompass the community.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will understand the importance of creating Ethical Space to ensure learning is welcoming and accessible to Indigenous learners.
  • Participants will develop knowledge and understanding of Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing (histories, cultures, identities and experience) so will be better equipped to respond o the needs of learners
  • Participants will be able to apply principles of Indigenous learning in their adult learning programs.
  • Participants will understand Indigenous literacies through examples defined by Elders and the Indigenous Working Group in the urban setting (inclusive of Treaty 7, Treaty 8, Metis, and other diverse urban Indigenous voices).