Treaty 2 Territory – Greetings all! FNT2T Life Long Learning hopes that everyone is staying safe and well.
Many are doing their part to protect communities, Elders and the vulnerable by practicing social isolation and spacing. If you’re a regular reader of CBC Indigenous, you’ll have read a recent piece titled, “It’s Not About You” which works to bring awareness to the importance of social isolation in protecting Elders and those who may be most vulnerable to Covid-19 virus. The piece was written by Ms. Jessica Deer who is Kanien’kehá:ka from Kahnawake.
Another significant writer from CBC Indigenous is Mr. Lenard Monkman, Anishinaabe. His most recent piece shares an important resource if parents, grandparents, and caregivers are looking for at home Indigenous-focus learning tools while youth are out of school: “Indigenous Educators Volunteer to Teach K-8 Lessons Online Amid School Closures.” Indigenous Educators are alternating providing live videos on the social media platform, Facebook, to provide lessons to viewers. Most recently, Chris Scribe, provided a Grade Four lesson on the significance of storytelling. The focus of this effort is contribute to learning Indigenous history and about Indigenous knowledge.
The next few weeks are unknown. And the most important thing would be to take care of one another, let the kids be kids, but if in another week or two there are those who wish to seek out valuable Indigenous learning resources this is definitely one to utilize.
Lenard Monkman is also co-founder of Red Rising Magazine which founded Red Rising Education. Most recently, Red Rising Education posted on their Instagram page that they are digitizing all of their education resources in English, Social Studies and Science (all are Indigenous-focused). Caregivers and teachers will have access to these valuable resources very soon. And if you haven’t already, check out their amazing magazine which is available for subscription/order. They do amazing work.
Red Rising Education also recently shared (via Instagram) Don Coyhis’s bear teaching about what’s happening right now:
“When a bear goes into hibernation, they do it for the health of their community and themselves. In the winter, food is scarce, hibernating allows other animals to have access to limited resources. It slows the spread of disease and virus among animals during a season when immune systems are lowered, and energy is limited… It is also a time for reflection… it is a time that allows you to renew, to undergo change, to honour your place in life and food cycles…. They know this process is necessary and they will come out the other side renewed. Be the bear. Stay home. Rest. Know you are doing this for something much bigger than yourself.”
Big Miigwetch to Red Rising Education, Lenard Monkman, and Jessica Deer for their important work. This is a time for learning with family, practicing the language (if we’re able), and reconnecting to the land. Take care of each another.
Sources:
CBC News (online), “Indigenous Educators Volunteer to Teach K-8 Lessons Online Amid School Closures,” by Lenard Monkman, March 17, 2020
CBC News (online), “It’s Not About You” by Jessica Deer, March 20, 2020
Instagram, Red Rising Education (page/account)
Last modified: March 22, 2020
