Welcome

Welcome to Supporting Aboriginal Higher Learners on-line education site and Professional Development Workshop Series. We would like to first acknowledge the traditional territory of the Coast Salish People and extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on their territory.

This training has been developed to support Aboriginal literacy; increase Aboriginal specific knowledge, enhance individual self-awareness and strengthen skills to support working with Aboriginal students.

The development of this training has been in progress for a number of years. We have had the honor and privilege of working with a number of people who have provided invaluable input into the content and structure. Special appreciation goes to the following groups:

Thank you for participating and we hope the format, content and group discussions meet your learning needs. We look forward to being your facilitators.

With respect,

Sylvia Scow, Dene Nation
Office of Aboriginal Education

Lillian Morton, Penelakut Tribe
University Professor

Sharon Hobenshield, Gitxsan First Nation
Director of Aboriginal Education

Getting Started

Course Philosophy

This course will share Indigenous worldviews from a variety of perspectives through articles, videos, interviews and personal discussions. The course is structured to align with the Spiral Model for Learning. This model is also reflective of what we consider a decolonizing approach to practice. In both cases, we start by looking at our social location and personal identity and how our values and ideologies are created. Through readings, sharing thoughts, and engaging in critical analysis we have the opportunity to make the connection between worldview and decolonizing practice. The information shared in this course provides a foundation of knowledge for post-secondary practitioners; it is the 'tip of the iceberg'. Hopefully it opens the door to on-going relationships to further the understanding of each other's culture (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) that does not end with this course but is life long.

Course Structure

As a hybrid course, online content will be supported through experiential learning - discussion groups. Individuals are encouraged to explore concepts and issues in each module prior to attending the discussion groups. It is anticipated that each module will involve 1 to 2 hours of an online commitment. The face-to-face discussion sessions will be 2 hours in duration and held once a month. The total commitment to the course will range from 12 to 16 hours over a four month duration.

First Peoples / Social Location

Learning Outcomes

- Explore the relationship between land and identity within locally and Indigenous societies.

- Recognize the role of Elder, family connections and responsibility and life long learning.

Course Philosophy

"Aboriginal peoples" is a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. The Canadian constitution recognizes three groups of Aboriginal people: First Nations, Metis and Inuit. These are distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs. More than one million people in Canada identify themselves as an Aboriginal person, according to the 2006 Census.

Course Structure

Aboriginal communities are located in urban, rural and remote locations across Canada. Vancouver Island University's main campus is located on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish people including Snuneymuxw (Nanaimo), Stz'uminus (Chemainus) and Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose First Nation). Similar regional campuses are located on Cowichan Tribes and Tia'Amin First Nation territories. In addition, the Mid-Island Metis have an office to serve their members and Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre offers a wide range of services to all aboriginal groups, on-reserve or off-reserve.