Indigenous Education

Learning & Programs

Saaswin Kendaasiwin “Nest of Learning”
Tsi Nón:we Konttsí’nahkónnis “Where they make their nests"

 

Indigenous Cultural Safety
A culturally immersive learning pilot offered at Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board

Our goal

The Learning Nest is a culturally immersive Indigenous learning pilot offered to learners who self-identify as Indigenous, First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis (grades 9-12).

In the Learning Nest classroom, Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing are respected, valued and prioritized. The Learning Nest is a key piece of the ongoing development of an Indigenous Cultural Safety framework. Indigenous learners will see Indigenous knowledge reflected in the space, content and learning experiences.

The Learning Nest experience includes:

  • A variety of credit-earning learning experiences, teachings, language and participation in cultural activities and observances
  • Working cooperatively with learners, families and caregivers to ensure holistic health and well-being by emphasizing an asset-based model of Indigenous student success
  • Holistic well-being plans and bridging to ‘next steps’ and/or life stage, respecting the unique needs and goals of the learner

How

Our team adheres to the following definition of Indigenous Cultural Safety:

Indigenous Cultural Safety is the develop­ment, implementation, maintenance and (ongoing) evaluation of education models that reflect the needs of the Indigenous community of Hamilton while being respectful of the 94 Truth and Reconcilia­tion Commission Calls to Action. This includes but is not limited to the teachings found within the Haudenosaunee teachings of the Great Law of Peace, which outlines three guiding principles:

  • Peace – healthy mind and healthy body
  • Power – harmonious, non-violent unity
  • Good mindedness – justice between people and justice between nations

These principles are followed with the understanding that all decisions are made in the best interest of the ‘faces yet to come,’ meaning we begin the decision-mak­ing process by considering the best interest of our most vulnerable, the unborn, then the babies, then the crawling ones, then the children and so on…

We also use the following as part of our guide, the Anishinaabe teachings of the Three Fires model of past, present and future generations, the Seven Grandfather Teachings: Bravery, Honesty, Humility, Love, Respect, Truth and Wisdom, and the prophecy of the current generation whom represent the 8th Fire.

We approach the establishment of the Learning Nest from the perspective of a Cultural Safety model: returning to the village-model of caring for our children, educating them, displacing deprivation of identity with rich cultural teachings, based on our Indigenous worldview.

Why now?

This is a time of Reconciliation. The Learning Nest pilot is rooted in the concepts of “Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity and Responsibility” (Kirkness and Barnhardt 2001) and aims to increase the experiences of safety and wellness, while providing a high standard of excellence for Indigenous learners in education.

We are committed to ensuring that each learner, their families and or caregivers have a solid understanding of the roles and responsibilities for all within this
unique and culturally immersive educational experience.

Indigenous Education Team

You are welcome to learn more about Indigenous Education and/or Indigenous Cultural Safety at HWDSB.

Learners, families/caregivers, staff and the community may contact us directly via email or by phone.

NOTE: If you are calling on behalf of a learner, please ensure you have secured consent of the learner and or parent/guardian.


[email protected]