First Nations culture, etiquette, law, and philosophy have brought their peoples into the 21st century. Their lifestyles and beliefs have allowed First Nations peoples to survive and thrive on this land in all seasons. First Nations societies were not in static cultures when Europeans arrived, but they were growing, thriving, and resolving the day-to-day issues their people faced. This worldview has relevance in today’s urban-centric environment and can do much to help First Nations youth face their present and their future.

The role of educators is to prepare students for the road ahead. For First Nations youth, this can mean building up, reinforcing, and strengthening pride and confidence in who they are and where they come from. The goal is to push back against the purposeful erosion and pull down of First Nation cultures and worldviews by Canada. The very ways of knowing, being and doing kept their ancestors alive and allowed them to become the strong Nations and individuals present at the time of first contact.

This year’s Circle of Knowledge workshops and presentations are infused with teaching First Nations worldviews, along with skills and strategies that today’s teachers can use to enhance their classrooms. Teachers and school staff must be familiar with First Nations ways of knowing, being, and doing, so they can properly interact with students and infuse their modern teaching methods with the local people’s worldview.

Circle of Knowledge workshops will provide opportunities for teachers to learn more about First Nations knowledge, skills, and values, so they can teach their students to be proud of who they are and reach their goals for the future, all the while using the values and traditions that brought First Nations peoples to today’s world.