Description
Authors include Angeline Weeney, nehiyaw (Cree), an Associate Professor at First Nations University of Canada. Willie Ermine from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation in the north-central part of Saskatchewan where he lives with his family. He is a Professor Emeritus with the First Nations University of Canada. Kevin Lewis is a nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) instructor, researcher, and writer. Ida Swan, Cree, is currently working as a Sessional Lecturer at the First Nations University of Canada. Mary Sasakamoose is Cree and a PhD student at the University of Regina. Her Masters degree is from the University of Saskatchewan. Jeffery Cappo originally from Muscowpetung First Nation, is a First Nations educator in Regina, Saskatchewan. Deanna Pelletier is an Indigenous Advocate with the Regina Public School System.
Cree Pedagogy: Dance Your Style examines the intrinsic value of First Nations perspectives, languages, and knowledges. Organized into three parts, this title focuses on the First Nations pedagogy on its own terms, a pedagogy rooted in land, language, culture, community, and Elder knowledge. This text opens with foundational principles such as exploring the history, theory, analysis, and implementation of First Nations pedagogy, and the introduction to core concepts of language at the heart methodology and practice, teaching as a gift, and the passing of knowledge.
Part two focuses on askiy kiskinohmakewina: Earth Teachings; reflecting on how the land teaches us, what we learn from connecting to the land, and the philosophy of land-based education. Part three features wāsēyāw, which means the elements of nature shine a light on the path forward. It reflects on the knowledge of Elders and knowledge keepers, presents insights from Elders on Culture Camps, and maskikiw māhtāhitowin, medicine thinking. With contributions from leading Indigenous Studies scholars, Elders, and community leaders in Canada, Cree Pedagogy: Dance Your Style is a powerful and essential text for college and university students in Indigenous Studies and Education courses that promotes thoughtful interactions with the text through practical exercises and thought-provoking discussion questions.
Acknowledgements
Preface
Part I: Cree Pedagogy
Chapter 1: You’ve Been Given A Gift
Angelina Weenie
Chapter 2: First Nations Language Pedagogy
Angelina Weenie
Chapter 3: Traditional Northern Elder Perspectives on Knowledge, Language, Land, and Culture
Ida Swan
Chapter 4: Dance Your Style
Angelina Weenie, Ida Swan, Mary Sasakamoose, Jeffery Cappo, Deanna Pelletier, and Willie Ermine
Part II: askiy kiskinwahamākēwina: Earth Teachings
Chapter 5: The Philosophy of Land-Based Learning
Willie Ermine
Chapter 6: Steps in Creating a Successful Cree Immersion Land-Based Program
Kevin Lewis
Chapter 7: kiskinwahamātowin: Learning and Teaching Together
Jeffery Cappo
Chapter 8: Medicine Walk To My Identity
Deanna Pelletier
Part III: wāsēyāw: The Pathway
Chapter 9: Exploring the Culture Camp Approach in Aboriginal Education
Kevin Lewis and Angelina Weenie
Chapter 10: Earth Teachings and Insights from Elders on Culture Camps
Willie Ermine, Mary Sasakamoose, Kevin Lewis, and Angelina Weenie
Chapter 11: maskikiw māmitonēýihcikan: Medicine Thinking
Angelina Weenie
Chapter 12: okīmaw- wihtwāwin: The Giveaway
Angelina Weenie