2009 Partnerships in Success Conference : Bruce Stonefish/ IEC

Bruce Stonefish is a Lunaape from the Delaware Nation and he is the Executive Director of the Indigenous Education Coalition. His workshop at the Niagara Falls Partnerships in Success Conference focused on cultural and community-based curriculum and he began his talk by outlining the 1972 Indian Control of Indian Education document from the BC Union of Indian Chiefs that made it a mandate for First Nations to provide : 1. culturally appropriate curriculum 2. culturally appropriate teaching practices and 3. language inclusion. Language is the culture and we name our relationship to the natural world by building words using description.

The purpose of curriculum is four fold.1. Ontario Ministry of Education wants each student to be a successful, contributing member of society. Unfortunately, this document has no First Nations priority to it. 2. Cultural awareness and sensitivity dealing with stereotypes, racism, native rights, residential schools. 3. Identity Development : What is your community's expectations and your school's vision. "Walk your understanding back to Creation."4. Self Governance : our community should be developing the skill sets of the clan system : teachers, leaders, protectors, providers and healers to become a self - determining community. Our curriculum needs to be wholistic....focusing on self, family, community and Nation by knowing, doing and being. Kids learn better when they see themselves in the curriculum.