Aboriginal Languages Why language is important Foundation of a culture Role in self- determination Positives effects for all people groups Our role in revitalizing Acknowledging the past, present, and future Rectifying current imbalances Teaching true multiculturalism

Important of a mother tongue Language is the expression of our culture and our land. We cannot have one without the others. We cannot describe our culture and our land if we do not have language. (Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee, 2006 )

Consequences of its loss Youth Suicide are six times the national average when >50% of a band was not proficient Continuing to use Eurocentric education fails to rectify the marginalization of aboriginals Before the end of the year, several languages with their worldviews and ecological knowledge could be lost

Self-Determination True Aboriginal literacy is holistically integrated within everyday life and relationships These relationships provide the framework for aboriginal independence and the hope to overcome the legacy of colonisation

Activity As a teacher, how will you integrate sensitive PLOs and concepts within your area of expertise? How will you meet the needs of both urban and on-reserve aboriginal students? Take time to think then write the outline of a holistic and meaningful lesson within your discipline for grade 11.

Ethically: The opportunity to begin an authentic healing process for a people under attack Culturally: Acceptance based upon mutual respect and learning is true multiculturalism (not Eurocentric capitalist melting pots) Economically: Aboriginal people are discriminated against via education and stereotypes while the economy is facing a massive worker shortage Educationally: Strengthening the current curriculum will enable aboriginal, immigrant, and coloniser youth to join the dialogue on First Nations issues while addressing racism Aboriginal Well-being is our Own

In our practice Whether we will be teaching first nations 12, social studies, calculus, or biology, we can still make an impact on our students regarding aboriginal knowledge, culture and practices. e.g. Examine FN’s fishing nets culturally and mathematically, Have students create local maps based on indigenous sources

Objective History Colonisation Residential School/Scoop Current Realities Whose story is it? Chapters on fur trade, one paragraph for this? Although better addressed through grade 12 courses, more perspectives are needed

Our role cont’d As people we can work to learn, become involved, and teach others As teachers we can align instruction with justice, use PLO flexibility to inform, and involve the local FN community As a community, we can interact with FNs and fight against discrimination As a nation, we can remedy the cultural genocide and work to promote healing

Sources Aboriginal language knowledge and youth suicide. Hallet, D., Chandler, M. J., Lalonde, C. E. Cognitive development 22.3 (2007): Closing the Education Gap: A Case for Aboriginal Early Childhood Education in Canada, A Look at the Aboriginal Headstart Program. Nguyen, Mai. Canadian Journal of Education34. 3 (2011): Nguyen, MaiCanadian Journal of Education accessed February 24,