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Planning

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To assist with integrating Indigenous Ways of Knowing in the classroom, it is beneficial to consider the following five approaches: 

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  1. Early in the planning, develop learning outcomes and goals that include Indigenous perspectives for students. Learning outcomes may include Indigenous context, activities and specific details on what teachers would like students to know, and retain at the end of the year. 
  2. Research and incorporate Indigenous learning material and resources into the curriculum. Examples include, using Indigenous literature in the Language Arts, discussing Indigenous identity, history, and culture in Social Studies, or teaching children how to play Lacrosse in Physical Education. The game of Lacrosse originally was called 'tewaarathon' and was initially discovered in the Montreal area played by the Mohawk men. French immigrants renamed it and later banned Indigenous people from playing it (Macleans, 2017).
  3. Incorporating Indigenous epistemology and pedagogy into the teaching methods, strategies and into activities. For example, educators can include Indigenous stories to help teach students about self-conduct, like respect, in specific the Sacred Seven Teachings would be a great start (please see resources). Sharing circles can help to facilitate classroom instruction. And, field trips to Indigenous communities, events and/or organizations. 
  4. Developing assessment methods and strategies for both students and for Educators/Community members. Assessments can be a powerful tool to determine if students are understanding the learning material and resources. Journals, portfolios, class reflection, written assignments, class work and presentations can help students and teachers to determine the students comprehension. 
  5. Approaching Indigenous perspectives as a philosophical foundation can help educators as a daily implementation rather than an extra add-on.  For example, some teachers will attend local community Indigenous cultural activities to support students, including Indigenous content on the wall, daily discussion about teachings, such as the medicine wheel. 

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Please note: In your research journey it is helpful to consider the following: many Indigenous scholars today work vehemently towards re-interpreting and rewriting the context, history and circumstances that are conveyed in past articles, books and media. It is helpful to ensure the sources in your research on Indigenous people are by Indigneous authors, writers and scholars.

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