Learning Opportunities

Infusing Indigenous Learning in the New K-6 Curriculum

Presented By

Kim Barker-Kay & Jason Bigcharles

Series Sessions

Date	Time
Wednesday, April 17, 2024	9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday, April 18, 2024	9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Location

High Prairie School Division 16532 Township Rd 744, High Prairie, AB

Grade Levels

Pre K - 1, K-3, Grades 4 - 6, Grades 7 - 9, Grades 10 - 12

This is a 2 Day session.

Join Jason and Kim for two days of learning and planning. You will be introduced to the new and improved website supporting culture based teaching: 4 Foundations to guide your lesson and unit planning; the new curriculum from K-6 with direct links between outcomes and videos of nehiyaw (Cree) ways of knowing and being; and, much, much more. Working with colleagues, Indigenous coaches, Knowledge Keepers, and online resources, you will leave with lesson plans and a deeper understanding of what it means to infuse Indigenous knowledge into curriculum.

Participants are asked to bring their own laptop or chromebook and have access to their NewLearn Alberta account.

Please feel free to bring sample lesson plans that you have already created that connect current curriculum outcomes to indigenous teachings.

Kim Barker-Kay

Kim Barker-Kay is currently a consultant with the Northwest Regional Learning Consortium. Previously, Kim was a teacher, principal, and researcher in northern Alberta. Her work and research evolved into a focus on building educational equity. She spent many years involved in diversity leadership training with the National Coalition Building Institute. Additionally, Kim had the unique experience as the protege of a Cree Elder for ten years. As a principal, Kim was able to put all she learned into practice with favorable results in student achievement. She learned first hand the complexities involved in building educational equity which have led her to her current journeys with infusing Indigenous knowledge into new curriculum, as well as doing a deeper exploration into decolonization and anti-racism work.

Jason Bigcharles

Jason Bigcharles is a father of 7 and grandfather of 14. His traditional Cree name is Wapustim
(White Horse). He is Metis’ from the Metis’ settlement of East Prairie. He has lived on the East Prairie Metis’ Settlement his whole life. He has been a teacher for 20+ years.

Although he is Metis’, his family is deeply rooted in Cree cultural practices and spiritualism. They continue to maintain a very high subsistence lifestyle, carrying on those traditions. Currently he is an Independent Education Consultant specializing in FNMI content and curriculum. He has specialized experience in administering Culture-Based-Learning Camps and cultural teachings to students of all ages which focus on traditional Land-Based teachings of the Woodland Cree Peoples both traditional and contemporary while infusing curriculum into lessons.

He is a powwow dancer, storyteller, hunter, trapper and medicinal plant gatherer. The majority of his time away from work is spent on the land hunting, trapping, gathering medicinal plants, instructing his children and visiting elders. Along with being dedicated to his traditions and spiritualism, he is also dedicated to lifelong learning and the belief that learning never stops.

Fee $50.00

Quality Standards

This session addresses the following TQS competencies:

2. Engaging in Career-Long Learning 3. Demonstrating a Professional Body of Knowledge 5. Applying Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit