Welcome to the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre’s (the Resource Centre) Lighting the Fire (LTF) Conference for 2023!

This year’s theme Break Through to Excellence in First Nations Education goes to the heart of the Resource Centre’s goals, mandate, and work. After decades of hard work by trailblazing First Nations leaders, Elders, and educators, First Nations can now express their right and responsibility to educate their own children. Due to their efforts, we have a foundation to achieve equality and excellence in education and education outcomes.

What does “break through to excellence” look like? It’s seen in the dedication within the Resource Centre’s leadership and staff to deliver quality education to First Nations students. It’s seen in the artists, creators, writers, and other Resource Centre staff who work to develop books, resources, and other tools to ensure teachers and schools can better teach in the local First Nations language. It’s seen in the attention to detail and caring that the Resource Centre’s clinical and technology staff show when working for the students and schools. And, of course, it is seen in the day-to-day work of administrators, educators, and other school staff who spend so much time developing the next day’s lessons and deciding how best to reach the students in their care.

The annual LTF Conference is held to share the many professions, careers, experiences, knowledges, and teachings found within the Resource Centre’s staff and beyond. We hope attendees can further develop their ability to teach and support the First Nations students and families we all serve.

Thank you for taking part in #LTF2023, and we hope you enjoy the workshops and fellowship. May you leave with a few more ideas and new friends.

Aaniin/Boozhoo; Wajeeye; Ho/Han; Wotziye/Edlanet’e; Tānsi!

It is incredibly good to be with everyone at the 2023 Lighting the Fire Conference (LTF). When you leave this event, I hope you’ve made new friends and learned something to help you serve our students and schools better. May you be refreshed by sharing experiences and laughter—something that always seems to happen when we all get together.

One of our keynote speakers, Dr. Courtney Leary, grew up on Norway House Cree Nation, dreaming of becoming a healer for her people. After having to leave home to complete university and training, she eventually returned to her First Nation to live out her vision. I am excited to hear about her journey as a First Nations person who has gone through some of the most stringent parts of the Canadian education system and what she has found on the other side.

#LTF2023 has a wide range of workshops, from CPR training to star teachings in the planetarium to ribbon skirt making. I hope you leave with some new knowledge that will help you break through in your area of expertise to a higher level for the First Nations students who are the focal point of our work.

I believe the theme, Break Through to Excellence in First Nations Education, is about ensuring our students have every chance at achieving mino-pimatisiwin, honso aynai, and tokatakiya wichoni washte (a good life) and the best possible futures. Our students should be able to speak their language, live their culture, and have the tools to succeed in any environment. This is what excellence in First Nations education means. I know you are as dedicated to this goal as we are here at the Resource Centre and MFNSS.

Thank you for taking the time to further develop your experience, knowledge, and skills by attending #LTF2023.

Charles Cochrane
Executive Director, MFNERC

Conference Overview

Tuesday, May 9

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Pre-Registration (Centennial 4 & 5)

Tradeshow Booth Set-Up and Welcome (Wellington Room)

 

Wednesday, May 10

8:00 am – Pipe Ceremony (Tipi East Foyer) – Elder Phillip Paynter

Registration (Centennial 4 & 5)

Tradeshow (Wellington Room)

Breakfast (Centennial Ballroom)

9:00 am – Opening Ceremonies (Centennial Ballroom)

Grand Entry

Drum Group – Walking Wolf Ray “Coco” Stevenson and Group

Opening Prayer – Elder Phillip Paynter

                Master of Ceremonies – Jason Bone

9:30 am – Welcoming Remarks

                Charles Cochrane – MFNERC Executive Director

                MFNERC Chairperson – Clarence Easter, Chemawawin Cree Nation

                First Nations Leadership

                                TBA

10:00 am – 10:45 am – Keynote Address

Keynote Speaker – Dr. Courtney Leary

10:45 am – 11:00 am – Health Break

11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Honouring of Science Fair and Essay Contest Winners

12:00 pm – 1:10 pm – Lunch (Provided) (Centennial Ballroom)

                Entertainment – Mattmac

1: 10 pm – 4:00 pm – Workshops, Sessions 1 & 2

 

Thursday, May 11

8:00 am – Pipe Ceremony (Tipi East Foyer) – Elder Wally Swain

                Registration (Centennial 4 & 5)

                Tradeshow (Wellington Room)

                Breakfast (Centennial Ballroom)

9:30 am – Recap of Day 1

10:00 am – Keynote Address

                Keynote Speaker – Emil Easter, MFNERC

10:45 am – 12:00 pm – Workshops, Session 3

12:00 pm – 1:10 pm – Lunch (Provided) (Centennial Ballroom)

Entertainment – Jig Master, Ryan Richard and United Thunder

1:10 pm -4:00 pm – Workshops, Sessions 4 & 5

 

Friday, May 12

8:00 am – Pipe Ceremony (Tipi East Foyer) – Elder Phillip Paynter

                Breakfast – Centennial Ballroom

                Keynote Speaker – Rachel Beaulieu, MFNERC

9:10 am – 12:00 pm – Workshops, Sessions 6 & 7

12:00 pm – 1:10 pm – Lunch (Provided) (Centennial Ballroom)

                Entertainment – Walking Wolf Ray “Coco” Stevenson with Singers and Dancers

1:10 pm – Closing Ceremonies (Centennial Ballroom)

                Closing Remarks – Charles Cochrane, Executive Director

                Closing Prayer – Elder Phillip Paynter

                Closing Song – Walking Wolf Ray “Coco” Stevenson

Advanced ASL: Identify and Describe a Person

Session 6, May 12, 9:10 am–10:25 am, Embassy D

Presenter: Destiny Cordell

Audience: ASL learners, classroom teachers, resource teachers, educational assistants, parents, and administrators

This workshop is a fun, interactive way to learn American Sign Language! Attendees will learn how to identify and describe a person using sign language.

Art: The Cross-Curricular Tool

Session 2, May 10, 2:45 pm–4:00 pm, Embassy F

Presenter: Donna Prince

Audience: Grades 3–5 teachers

 

This session will look at art as a powerful teaching tool that helps educators build resources and strategies with cross-curricular learning in mind. Art allows for teacher and student-directed practice and offers ways for learners to connect and respond in the classroom, on the land, through artist galleries, and other modes of learning. We will explore art through games, activities, galleries, and fun writing tasks. Research has shown that when children create or study art, they experience improved cognitive and critical thinking skills; deeper connections to the world around them; and close examination of new messages or ideas.

Bangii’eta Anishinaabemodaa (Let’s speak a little bit of Ojibwe)

Session 4, May 11, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Centennial 5

Presenters: Judy Doolittle, Cynthia Desjarlais, Darcy-Anne Thomas, Brenda Daniels, Rachel Beaulieu

Audience: all

 

In this session, Judy Doolittle, an Ojibwe speaker, shares her language strategy for promoting and supporting fluency for second-language learners. Her strategy features in the podcast Bangii’eta Anishinaabemodaa, produced at the Resource Centre and streamed over various social media channels. The podcast title translates to “Let’s speak a little bit of Ojibwe.” The podcast supports adult second-language learners by modelling learning in a relaxed learning context. When adults learn the language, school-aged children gain opportunities to use the language at home in addition to their language learning at school. In this way, Bangii’eta Anishinaabemodaa can create a bridge for the continuation of language learning for children in the home.

Dadavan SIS Outcomes: Revisit and FAQs

Session 7, May 12, 10:45 am–12:00 pm, Embassy C

Presenters: Vanessa Sinclair, Trisha Malanowich, Vivian Xu

Audience: teachers, information workers, principals, administrative staff

 

This workshop offers a refresher course on Dadavan SIS Outcomes rather than a training session. We will look at commonly asked questions, how to enter and print transcripts, scheduling and switching students, removing and bringing students in from the transfer tank, and a brief review of report cards and learning behaviours.

EIS Reporting Process: Importing Outcomes High School Marks and Requesting MET Numbers

Session 4, May 11, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Embassy C

Session 6, May 12, 9:10 am–10:25 am, Embassy C

Presenters: Vivian Xu, Trisha Malanowich, Vanessa Sinclair

Audience: school administrative staff, principals, information workers

 

This workshop will introduce the audience to the Manitoba Educational Information System (EIS) reporting process. We will demonstrate how to prepare, validate, and submit student information to the EIS Collection app using the latest Outcomes EIS high school marks export. The audience will also learn how to request student MET numbers in bulk.

Explore Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate

All Sessions, Embassy A

Presenters: Michelle Jonson, Delaney Appleyard, Ida Bear, Annie Boulanger

Audience: all educators

 

Wapaskwa Virtual Collegiate is offering a session for teachers to learn how our virtual school works and about the exciting learning opportunities we offer our students. Participants will log onto tablets or their own device to be immersed in the online learning environment. Some of the courses that will be offered are Cree, Ojibway, Math, Science, and ELA. Come and see what we have to offer!

First Nations Oral Tradition: Storytelling

Session 1, May 10, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Embassy C

Presenters: Lucy Antsanen, Elder/Knowledge Keeper Fred Denechezhe

Audience: Elders, Knowledge Keepers, language teachers, classroom teachers, educational assistants, school administrators, education directors, community members

 

This session will cover First Nations Oral Tradition, the value of storytelling, and how stories can be gathered, recorded, and used in the classroom. Elder/Knowledge Keeper Fred Denechezhe will tell a story with an accompanying activity. A sample of books will be displayed. We’ll draw prizes at the end of the presentation!

Games and Activities to Support Gross Motor Skills

Session 5, May 11, 2:45 pm–4:00 pm, Centennial 3

Presenters: Kayla Matheson, Katherine West

Audience: teachers, educators

 

Participants will learn about various Low Organized Games that support gross motor development. Those attending will have the opportunity to trial games and activities to support students in accessing movement and exercise through play.

Harnessing the Power of First Nations Languages: Leverage Student Motivation and Success via Gamification

Session 1, May 10, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Centennial 1

Session 2, May 10, 2:45 pm–4:00 pm, Centennial 1

Presenters: Karl Hildebrandt, Geraldine Campbell

Audience: middle years/high school First Nations language teachers, all subject area teachers

 

By using gamification tactics, participants will understand how to motivate reluctant students when learning First Nations languages. Access the power of gamified learning in the language classroom and explore concrete tools and strategies to inspire First Nations youth to unlock and conquer the power of language. We will explore online gamification tools and how to save and edit teacher-vetted language content or create your own from scratch. Participants will learn how to assign language games for homework via an LMS (learning management software), tap into instant data to guide their teaching, identify learning gaps, and immediately identify struggling learners. Please bring your device as you will actively participate in your language learning journey. Gamification is a strategy that can apply to all curriculum subject areas; however, our focus will be on learning Cree, Ojibwe, and Dakota.

History of Education Funding

Session 6, May 12, 9:10 am–10:25 am, Embassy A

Presenter: George Merasty

Audience: school administrators

 

If you are interested in how Band-operated schools are funded by the federal government, this workshop is you. The presentation will provide a brief history of education funding and how the federal government changed the education funding formula.

Importance of Physical Movement in Early Years

Session 4, May 11, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Centennial 6

Presenters: Jessica Daniels, Adonis Verona

Audience: early years teachers (N–3)

 

The presenters will discuss the required skills, abilities, and knowledge for childcare practitioners to support and promote each child’s physical development domain. The workshop will look at planning indoor and outdoor activities for early years settings. Also, learn about the presence and absence of equipment for play and the benefits of physical activity in early childhood and for children with special needs and rights.

Land-Based Teachings

Session 2, May 10, 2:45 pm–4:00 pm, Centennial 2A

Presenters: Sophie Boulanger, Diane Powderhorn, Elder Florence Paynter, Knowledge Keeper Ernie Bussidor

Audience: language teachers, land-based teachers, education assistants, classroom teachers, community members, education staff

 

In this session, we’ll explore aspects of land-based teachings. Natural Laws explain sustainability and the sacredness of land, life-giving water, air cleanliness, and the warmth and light of the sun. Our ancestors have passed down the teachings of sustainability and our ways of knowing, being, and doing. Traditional stories teach values and sacredness in all animal, plant, and human life. Land-based teachings demonstrate living and practising mino-bimaadiziwin, a good life, for our children, grandchildren, and future generations to come here on Turtle Island.

Let’s Talk Diabetes! Student Wellness

Session 1, May 10, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Embassy D

Presenters: Frances Desjarlais, Marrisa Guimond, Marion Boulanger, Shannon Turtle

Audience: school staff

 

Mind, body, and spirit wellness promotes excellence in learning. The URIS (Unified Referral and Intake System) nurses will answer common questions about diabetes to help raise awareness and shed some light on how serious this condition is, how it’s affecting our people, and some tips for the student to live a healthier life.

Mental Mathematics Strategies

Session 1, May 10, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Embassy F

Presenters: Virginia Birch, Pamela Courchene, Georgina Moody

Audience: Grade 1–8 teachers

 

Mental mathematics is a skill we learn in school that extends into adulthood. In this session, participants will learn about curriculum content in mental mathematics and a suggested plan to teach those outcomes. Attendees will participate in activities supporting specific mental math strategies for developing procedural fluency and receive a USB with activities.

MFNERC Community Histories Project and Manitoba Museum Educational Resources

Session 4, May 11, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Embassy B

Presenters: Andy Thomas, Rachel Erickson

Audience: all

 

This workshop will highlight the Resource Centre’s Community Histories Project initiative and other resource development projects. The Manitoba Museum will share some of its recent projects, including Indigenous resource development, exhibits, and community collaborations.

Occupational Therapy Classroom Recommendations to Support First Nations Education

Session 1, May 10, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Centennial 5

Presenters: Raeanne Wysocki, Gabrielle Peterson, Kimberley Moors

Audience: school principals, classroom teachers, resource teachers, educational assistants, Jordan’s Principle support workers

 

Come and learn about common occupational therapy strategies. We will look at the role of occupational therapy in schools, sensory-safe classrooms, visual schedules, movement breaks, and calming corners.

Physical Literacy and Holistic Approach to Wellness: A Physiotherapy and URIS Collaboration

Session 2, May 10, 2:45 pm–4:00 pm, Embassy D

Session 4, May 11, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Carlton Room

Presenters: Kayla Matheson, Priscilla Flett, Marion Boulanger, Shannon Turtle

Audience: teachers, educators

 

Learn about strategies for preventing and managing diabetes, including the impact of exercise and movement as a tool for regulating blood sugars. Participants will learn about diabetes and how it affects First Nations children. We will discuss a holistic approach to diabetes management. 

13 Moons

Session 5, May 11, 2:45 pm–4:00 pm, Centennial 6

Presenters: Betsy Mazawasicuna, Doris WicakpeMaza (Ironstar) Der

Audience: teachers, principals, educational assistants, educators, general audience

 

Introduce the cultural aspect related to Indigenous 13-month calendar, and introduce how our language describes the seasons and the moons (months).

The turtle has been used for generations as a calendar to count the days, months and cycle of the months.

Review of New Books: Our Residential School Story and They Have Papers

Session 5, May 11, 2:45 pm–4:00 pm, Embassy B

Presenters: Melody Dumas, Virginia Birch

Audience: Grade N–8 teachers, education staff, Elders and Knowledge Keepers

 

This presentation will introduce two important new books: Our Residential School Story (N–3) and They Have Papers (4–8), which are part of Manitoba Residential Schools: Resource Bundles for Nursery to Grade 12 that MFNERC developed. We will also look at the teacher’s guides that accompany the books. Participants will hear a reading and learn how to use the stories to teach about the residential school experience. We will have a healing activity from the Bundles to end the presentation.

We recognize that residential schools had a profound impact on First Nations people. The topic and information shared in this presentation may cause participants to experience different emotions and feelings. We must share the impacts of the residential schools in a caring and respectful way. Our children and everyone deserve to know the truth.

Revitalizing Anishinaabemowin Using Popular Cartoons

Session 4, May 11, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Centennial 1

Presenters: John McLean, Westin Sutherland, Cindy Sinclair

Audience: second language learners, First Nations language teachers

 

Immersion style is the most effective means of teaching a language. Participants will be immersed in Anishinaabemowin by listening to fluent speakers who voice-over popular cartoon characters. The actors are fluent Ojibwe speakers from different communities and have different sub-dialects, but they make it work in this hilarious and highly entertaining cartoon series.

Sharing Best Practices in the School Guidance Program

Session 6, May 12, 9:10 am–10:25 am, Carlton Room

Presenters: Brandee Albert, Angeline Peterson

Audience: school counsellors, guidance counsellors, teachers, administrators

 

In this workshop, school counsellors and guidance counsellors will come together to gain insight and knowledge into successful practices that promote the holistic well-being of First Nations students in schools. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and share First Nations knowledge and evidence-based practices that support the social, emotional, and mental well-being of First Nations students. Another highlight is a chance to network and collaborate with other professionals in the field.

Teaching Mathematics through Coding

Session 6, May 12, 9:10 am–10:25 am, Centennial 1

Session 7, May 12, 10:45 am–12:00 pm, Centennial 1

Presenters: Michael Li, Chun Ong, John McLean

Audience: teachers

 

Coding helps students build on many different skills in mathematics, such as problem-solving, pattern recognition, problem decomposition, and abstraction. Through coding, students can practise and apply math concepts learned in class in an engaging and fun way. This workshop will look at the widely used coding language Python to demonstrate a spectrum of maths from the elementary to senior levels. These math concepts range from basic additive, multiplicative operations, and number theory to complex geometry and equations.

Treaty Education

Session 6, May 12, 9:10 am–10:25 am, Regency Room

Presenters: Cynthia Bird, Amanda Simard, Loretta Ross

Audience: K–12 classroom teachers

 

This workshop provides an overview of the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba’s “Teaching Treaties in the Classroom K–12.” Educators will hear why teaching Treaties in the classroom is essential for our students, as they learn the First Nations’ perspective on the historical relevance and contemporary issues of the Treaties and the Treaty Relationship. Educators will get an introduction to the resources developed that support Treaty Education in their schools and classrooms and additional supports available at the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba.

Understanding How Traditional First Nations Ceremonies Work: Sundances, Sweat Lodges, Pipe Ceremonies, Offerings

Session 1, May 10, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Carlton Room

Session 3, May 11, 10:45 am–12:00 pm, Carlton Room

Presenters: Cherie Francois, Tina Cook-Martin

Audience: all

 

First Nations traditional way was living in a natural and constant state of communion with our Creator. First Nations used Creator as witness when signing the treaties, in the historical artifacts like pipes and pipe bags, in the many historical portraits, and more. However, the assimilation practices of Western culture have resulted in First Nations people believing it is naive to reclaim this way of life. This session gives information to reclaim the traditional ways with confidence by seeing the intelligence of our people in their ceremonial practices and the purposes behind ceremony.

Verbalizing Information for Learners Who Are Visually Impaired – Classroom Strategies

Session 4, May 11, 1:10 pm–2:25 pm, Centennial 3

Session 5, May 11, 2:45 pm–4:00 pm, Carlton Room

Presenters: Christina Valiquette-Kirkness, Elma Arthurson

Audience: classroom teachers, educational assistants, resource teachers, parents

 

Create a learning-rich environment for children with a visual impairment through verbalization and auditory input, such as directional cues, descriptions of visual materials, verbal identification, and other adaptations. The Zimmerman Low Vision Simulation Kit allows those working with people with low vision to understand better the effect that low vision has on mobility, learning, employment, and activities of daily living. The Zimmerman Kit contains goggles and interchangeable visual acuity and visual pathology simulations, as well as peripheral field restriction simulations.  

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

Please book your stay at the Victoria Inn (204) 786-4801 as soon as possible to receive the discounted rate. Please indicate you are attending the LIGHTING THE FIRE CONFERENCE and would like to book your stay under the room block. Provide the Group #273070 to receive the discounted rate.

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.

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).