MFNERC is proud to present this year’s Circle of Knowledge & Practices Conference on October 6 & 7, 2022 at the Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre in Winnipeg.

This year’s theme is Forwarding tradition: New approaches for teaching old ways

First Nation philosophies, and traditional practices have kept their nations and families alive through thousands of years of living and learning from a challenging environment. First Nation cultures and languages   contain the teachings needed to survive and thrive, even as we face life’s hurdles. These ancient lessons have been tried and tested. The best evidence that these beliefs and values work is the fact that First Nation peoples and families are still a part of these lands, they are thriving and rising, and are still teaching their children to do their best as they step into the future.

Educators have an intrinsic role in connecting the past to the future through the students of today. As the stewards of First Nations children during the weekday, schools have a responsibility to reflect local cultures, languages, and teachings. This duty has become a thread that flows through all the work of the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre and is a part of the mandate of the organization.  It is important that the Resource Centre’s staff do their best to use their education and skills to fulfill the responsibility of forwarding local First Nations traditions and finding new strategies to teach First Nations children in the modern day.

This year’s Circle of Knowledge and Practices workshops and presentations will be infused with the goal of teaching tradition and finding new tactics to teach First Nations knowledge, skills, and values. To achieve the goals of forwarding tradition, it is important that the Resource Centre’s teachers and staff are familiar with the traditional values and beliefs of the First Nations they work with, and have the tactics and tools needed to learn and better understand the local culture, history, and language of the First Nations they visit. The Circle of Knowledge and Practices workshops will provide opportunities to learn more about First Nation knowledge, skills and values, so they can teach their students to be proud of who they are, the ancestors that maintained their family through time, and the traditions that ensured today’s First Nation youth have a place in the future.

Melanie Bennett – Executive Director – Yukon First Nation Education Directorate

October 6, 2022

Born in Dawson City, Yukon into the Wolf Clan of the Tr’ondёk Hwёch’in First Nation, Melanie is the great-granddaughter of Mary McLeod, granddaughter of Alice Titus, and daughter of former Chief Hilda Titus.

Melanie has dedicated her life to working with youth to succeed in education. In her 30-year education career, she has served as a First Nation Liaison, teacher and administrator in First Nation schools and Ministry operated schools in BC and Yukon. Melanie takes pride in our Yukon First Nations ways of knowing and traditional knowledge — and strongly advocates that First Nations culture-based learning should happen for our students every day in every school.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Education from Malaspina University and a Master of Education from UNBC in Multidisciplinary Leadership.

In her spare time, Melanie enjoys beading, being out on the land, picking berries, gathering medicines and enjoying the Yukon wilderness.

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!

Please note: Registration limit has been set at 800 delegates

You are encouraged to register online as online registrations will be processed first; all others will be processed in the order they are received. If you have already registered online please do not return this form. Registration confirmation will be sent via email.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any questions regarding group registration, please contact Ashley Kinsman at 204-594-1290 ext. 2083 or ashleyk@mfnerc.com

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• First Nation Elders
• Leadership
• Government Representatives
• Principals
• Educators
• Students
• Chiefs
• Education Stakeholders
• Leadership
• Education Administrators
• Education Directors
• Parents
• School Boards
• Councilors
• All Interested Groups and Individuals

Balanced Literacy, Part 1 and Part 2 (Two 75-Minute Sessions)

Session 1, October 6, 10:45–12:00, Centennial 4 (Part 1)

Session 4, October 7, 9:10–10:25, Centennial 4 (Part 2)

Target Audience: Early Years to Senior High Teachers, Educational Assistants, Administrators, Inclusive Education Workers, Jordan’s Principle Workers

Presenters: Darcy-Anne Thomas, Brenda Delorme, Bonnie Monias

This two-part workshop gives an overview on how to create a balanced approach to literacy programming and instruction. The first session reviews balanced literacy instruction, including explanation and discussion of phonological and phonemic awareness, the Alphabetic Code, fluency, vocabulary, spelling, and comprehension.

In the second session, participants explore phonological and phonemic awareness and the Alphabetic Code in more depth, including how these topics connect to curriculum. Classroom applications and strategies will be modelled, and hands-on activities will make the sessions fun and informative.

Building the URIS Nurse Program through First Nations Teachings

Session 2, October 6, 1:10–2:25, Embassy C

Target Audience: All

Presenters: Frances Desjarlais, Marion Boulanger, Shannon Turtle

This workshop aims to: (1) discuss nurses’ perspectives and lived experiences in navigating Western and Indigenous nursing views of nursing; (2) translate the Seven Sacred Teachings and show how they apply to MFNERC’s URIS (Unified Referral and Intake System) nurse program; (3) strengthen identity and apply cultural practices to the nursing role; and (4) discuss how a child’s teachers and caregivers can include cultural teachings and support understanding of health care conditions.

Connecting Early Learning Environments

Session 4, October 7, 9:15–10:25, Carlton Room

Target Audience: Nursery and Kindergarten Teachers, Educational Assistants, Resource Teachers, Principals, Education Directors

Presenters: Jennifer Waytiuk, Jessica Daniels

Starting a new school year in an unfamiliar setting can be overwhelming for some children, causing a stress response. When learning environments are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, learning happens naturally. It is an educator’s responsibility to create an environment that reflects local teachings and supports student relationships with the land in new and creative ways. This will help students develop knowledge, skills, and pride in who they are.

In this workshop, presenters will share the importance of observation, self-regulation, and co-regulation for nurturing relationships. They will also share teaching strategies to set the stage for learning.

Counselling Strategies Using a First Nations Approach

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Carlton Room

Target Audience: Teachers, Students, Administrators

Presenter: Tina Cook-Martin

This workshop is about mindfulness and counselling strategies using a First Nations approach. The presentation will include information on mindfulness, sensory and guided meditation, and visual imagery from a First Nations perspective. Counselling strategies incorporating traditional practices such as the Medicine Wheel/balance wheel, sharing circles, the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and peacemaking models will also be discussed.

Cree Night Sky Stories

Session 3, October 6, 2:45–4:00, Wellington Room B

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Centennial 7

Session 6, October 7, 1:10–2:25, Centennial 7

Target Audience: Educators

Presenter: Richard Keeper, Jason Bone

This workshop focuses on the revitalization of Cree star knowledge. It will include interviews with Cree Elders and lessons on creating programming around traditional Cree stories and star knowledge and how this knowledge intersects with Western science. The workshop will involve a mobile planetarium. The goal of the workshop is for more people to develop a meaningful connection to the stars.

Deaf Culture with Land-Based Learning

Session 1, October 6, 10:45–12:00, Embassy C

Target Audience: Anyone Interested in Learning More about Deaf Culture and ASL

Presenters: Vernon Jebb, Destiny Cordell, Emil Easter

This workshop explores Deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL). Is ASL a universal language? What is Plains Indian Sign Language and its history? Presenters will share an ASL story signed by an ASL support worker. To end the session, presenters will teach attendees “land-based” sign language to end the session. Mary Lou Pierrard (teacher of the Deaf) and Signe Badger (teacher of the Deaf) will be joining us.

Education Programming Initiatives

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Embassy F

Target Audience: Everyone

Presenters: Andy Thomas, Rachel Erickson

This workshop will highlight some of MFNERC’s language and culture initiatives, such as the Community Histories and the Grassroots Elders and Role Models poster projects. The Manitoba Museum will share some of its recent projects, including Indigenous language resource development, exhibitions, and community collaborations.

Finding Our Medicine

Session 2, October 6, 1:10–2:25, Embassy D

Session 4, October 7, 9:10–10:25, Centennial 7

Target Audience: All

Presenter: Virginia Birch,

This workshop focuses on learning about ourselves and how trauma and stress—specifically intergenerational trauma—affect our brain and body. It also includes methods for coping with and recovering from trauma and stress. This workshop will provide psychoeducation on these sensitive topics along with positive strategies to support intergenerational healing.

Hearing and Its Role in the Classroom

Session 3, October 6, 2:45–4:00, Carlton Room

Target Audience: Teachers, Resource Teachers, Educational Assistants

Presenters: Dr. Arden Brown, Dr. Andrea Richardson-Lipon, Chelsea Alexiuk

Come learn how hearing directly relates to a student’s ability to spell, read, and write. At any given time, educators can have a student with hearing loss in the classroom. This could be permanent hearing loss or the result of a cold that could last a week or months. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of hearing loss, what to do next, and various ways of being more inclusive of all students.

An Introduction to Story Boxes for Young Children Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired

Session 4, October 7, 9:10–10:25, Embassy C

Target Audience: Resource Teachers, Educational Assistants, Classroom Teachers

Presenter: Christina Valiquette-Kirkness

The purpose of a story box is to create hands-on literacy experiences for children. Educators have long emphasized the importance of tactual exploration (hands-on learning) for young children with visual impairments. This is important for all young children so that they can take in information, build concepts, and further understand their world. Purposeful exploration involves thinking and concept building. Literacy emerges from hands-on experiences for all children.

Sighted children’s experiences are rich with opportunities for learning that often occur by chance. However, children with visual impairments seldom, if ever, take in information accidentally—hence, the importance of hands-on experiences such as story boxes, for young learners with blindness.

Kindergarten to Grade 3 Children’s Literature and Motion

Session 2, October 6, 1:10–2:25, Centennial 8

Session 4, October 7, 9:10–10:25, Centennial 8

Target Audience: K–3 Educators

Presenter: Donna Prince

Reading aloud to children has been called the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading. Reading aloud with children participating actively helps them learn new words, learn more about the world, learn about written language, and see the connection between words that are spoken and words that are written. The purpose of this workshop is to develop fun reading strategies through books, poetry, and song. These strategies can lead to improvements in a child’s emergent literacy skills, such as the acquisition of new vocabulary, letter recognition, or phonological awareness. Early childhood teachers can actively engage children in motion as part of their group reading time or during their routine circle time.

Land-Based Education Support Document for Educators

Session 1, October 6, 10:45–12:00, Carlton Room

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Centennial 10

Target Audience: All Educators

Presenters: Sophie Boulanger, Diane Powderhorn, Elder Rebecca Ross

The Land-Based Education Support Document for Educators assists all educators in delivering land-based activities. This resource was created with the collaboration of participants from First Nations and MFNERC staff. The document is based on First Nations’ philosophy of the six seasons and the thirteen moons which determine how daily seasonal activities are practised. The resource stresses the importance of Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and Keepers of the Language being invited to all activities to assist in delivering the teachings and sharing their knowledge along with their expertise of the land.

Managing Behaviour Using Co-Regulation

Session 2, October 6, 1:10–2:25, Centennial 10

Session 3, October 6, 2:45–4:00, Centennial 10

Target Audience: Classroom Teachers, Resource Teachers

Presenters: Bernice Rundle-Hotomani, Brittany Klassen

First Nations teachings remind us to be good guides for our children by modelling acceptable behaviour. This cultural value aligns with the principles of co-regulation. This workshop will teach the tactics of (1) building knowledge, and (2) managing behaviour. Objectives for building knowledge include identifying behaviour as communication, and providing descriptions of self-regulation, dysregulation, and co-regulation. The second tactic is to manage behaviour by practising the three R’s: regulate, relate, and reason.

Our Land Is Our Classroom: Telling the Treaty Story in Our Language

Session 3, October 6, 2:45–4:00, Embassy D

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Embassy C

Target Audience: Everyone

Presenters: Elder Harry Bone, Lucy Antsanen

This workshop focuses on the imperative to provide education to First Nations children on the land, using the local language and delivering teachings using First Nations pedagogy. The Elder will provide a balanced perspective, using oral history and the written historical record, to capture the spirit and intent of the Treaties and the Treaty relationship.

Physical Activity, Movement, and Culture: A Journey to Lifelong Wellness from Youth Onward

Session 2, October 6, 1:10–2:25, Centennial 4

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Centennial 4

Target Audience: Teachers, Educational Assistants, Community Members, Physical Education Teachers

Presenters: Joe Robertson, Christina Keeper, Priscilla Flett

Motor skills like jumping and catching are important for children to develop from early childhood through their youth. Children acquire motor skills through practice and through play while learning from parents, siblings, and community members. This workshop covers specific examples of traditional activities and how they relate to motor skills, which become more meaningful to culture and community.

Rekindle Mino-Bimaadiziwin in an Anishinaabe Philosophy

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Wellington Room B

Session 6, October 7, 1:10–2:25, Wellington Room B

Target Audience: Everyone

Presenters: Judy Doolittle, Curtis Nepinak, Cynthia Desjarlais, Brenda Daniels, Jason Bone

This session will discuss Anishinaabe Peoples’ responsibility to create awareness and provide learning opportunities for youth and young adults to gain knowledge and understanding of cultural practices that bring forth Mino-Bimaadiziwin (a good life). In Ojibwe society, there are traditional practices that support inner strength, well-being, and taking care of oneself through ceremonies.

The workshop hopes to rekindle a fresh understanding of how to find and maintain Mino-Bimaadiziwin while incorporating the elements of health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Traditional practices will be shared, and a panel of traditional Knowledge Keepers will be in attendance for a question-and-answer period.

The Role of First Nations Education Administrators in Supporting the Preservation and Revitalization of First Nation Languages and Cultures

Session 1, October 6, 10:45–12:00, Embassy A
Session 3, October 6, 2:45–4:00, Centennial 4

Target Audience: First Nations Education Directors, School Principals, Vice-Principals, Classroom Teachers

Presenter: Davin Dumas

Language and culture have always been a priority for First Nations, but teaching these subjects in the classroom can be difficult. First Nations students are asking more about their history, language, and culture. Schools need to be able to respond in culturally appropriate ways. Education administrators play an important role in supporting preservation and revitalization efforts at the local level.

This workshop will provide information to consider when planning, supporting, and implementing language and culture programming in First Nations schools. Participants will have opportunities to engage in dialogue on what has been working in First Nations and possible ways to overcome barriers.

Student-Specific Planning: Development and Implementation

Session 4, October 7, 9:10–10:25, Embassy D

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Embassy D

Target Audience: Resource Teachers, Administrators, Classroom Teachers, Educational Assistants

Presenters: Elma Arthurson, Charisse Cyr

This workshop provides practical strategies and processes to develop student-specific plans (SSPs). It will explain who needs an SSP, different kinds of plans, and culturally appropriate planning. The session will also address how to develop a collaborative team approach, adaptations, and individualized programming.

Teaching Language, Knowledge, Stories, and Values the First Nations Way Using Puppets

Session 2, October 6, 1:10–2:25, Carlton Room

Session 6, October 7, 1:10–2:25, Centennial 9

Target Audience: Language Teachers, Educational Assistants, Principals

Presenters: John McLean, Steven Leveque

This workshop uses puppets to teach First Nations language, knowledge, skills, and values. Using puppetry, this workshop will express new ways of teaching goals and outcomes so students learn how to be proud of who they are. Puppets and puppeteers will be speaking in both English and Ojibwe.

Trauma and the Brain: Using Nurturing Relationships to Help Students Thrive

Session 1, October 6, 10:45–12:00, Embassy D

Session 5, October 7, 10:45–12:00, Centennial 9

Target Audience: Classroom Teachers, Resource Teachers

Presenters: Erin Paupanekis, Jessica Murray, Brandee Albert

This workshop focuses on the impact that trauma can have on the developing brain and its effect on learning and behaviour. It will also delve into how to support students impacted by trauma by building positive relationships. Educators will gain a better understanding of the science behind trauma so that they can uncover their students’ strengths in the classroom. Nurturing positive relationships with students is the first step to revealing and reviving their gifts.

Understanding the Nature of First Nations Ceremony

Session 3, October 6, 2:45–4:00, Centennial 7

Session 6, October 7, 1:10–2:25, Centennial 4

Target Audience: Educational Team

Presenter: Cherie Francois

For those who have experienced ceremony, whether it be a Sundance, Sweat Lodge, round dance, or powwow, there is an understanding that participants leave with feelings of happiness, contentment, and wholeness. The original people of the land understood the importance of harmony and balance within each quadrant of the Medicine Wheel: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Ceremony can penetrate the guarded nature of an individual; ceremony should connect them to the teachings of life. This presentation discusses the deep nature of ceremony and how it relates to education, science, and community life.

CONFERENCE LOCATION & INFORMATION

Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre
1808 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Phone: (204) 786-4801
Fax: (204) 786-1329
Toll Free 1-877-VIC-INNS or 1-877-842-4667

The Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre is a Canada Select 4 Star hotel. The hotel has 260 well-appointed standard guest rooms and specialty rooms including executive, Honeymoon, Queen and Kid Theme suites. More than 28,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space makes it the largest convention hotel in Manitoba. Hotel amenities include a Dino-Beach Family Water Park, fitness room, washers, dryers and a gift shop in the hotel lobby. The hotel also offers complimentary parking, local phone calls, internet computer in the lobby, wireless internet in guest rooms and 24-hour airport shuttle. Other conveniences include Chicago Joe’s Restaurant lounge, and VLT Gaming Room.

Accomodations
When booking your room, please mention that you are attending the FNCKP Conference to receive the discounted rates.  Book early as space is limited!

Travel
All travel arrangements are the responsibility of the individual. 

Health and Safety
The MFNERC assumes no responsibility for any injury, theft, or personal liabilities. First Aid and emergency services will be available on location. The Lighting the Fire conference is an alcohol and drug free event (excluding any alcohol sold by host hotel at the restaurant and banquet).