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ABOUT

“Over the past few centuries, with the arrival of Europeans on the territories we have guarded with respect for thousands of years, our peoples have suffered many injustices, the consequences of which are still felt today. Yet it would have been possible to coexist peacefully while respecting our differences. Fortunately, we are a resilient people! We’re still here, stronger than ever, determined to assert our rights and promote our cultures. As allies, we can collaborate. Because education is key!” –Kokom

Considering the resurgence of our cultures and our efforts to reconnect with our traditions and languages, this web platform is intended to evolve. It is also the result of several stages of discussions with representatives of the First Nation educational community in order to present the most accurate and contemporary portrait possible. Given the diversity of cultures and points of view, the elements chosen and presented in this platform are carried by reflections imbued with humility which, we hope, will raise awareness, equip and guide the educational community through the approach that requires the promotion of indigenous perspectives in the school environment.

The resources listed come from different partners. Although we tried to respect their terminology, the expression First Nations and Inuit was mainly used in the creation of this platform. In addition, we appeal to your critical judgment and wisdom since some resources are a few years old and the vocabulary presented there may have become outdated. It is necessary to further evaluate the relevance of the tool according to the contexts of use. Despite this vocabulary, some of its tools or resources represent cultures well, as do certain films from the National Film Board (NFB) which documented the stories of seniors in the 1960s. It would be even more judicious to address these aspects with students before viewing or consulting these sources of information in class.

Carter Jay, Stevens Kitigan Zibi Kikinamadinan

CREDITS

The creation of this web platform is an initiative of the First Nations Education Council (FNEC). It represents and protects the interests of the communities, valuing the specificities of each, while respecting their identity, culture, and traditions, in order to foster the educational success of their students.

We would also like to acknowledge the participation of the Institut Tshakapesh in this project. The institute supports the Innu nation in their efforts to preserve and promote Innu-aitun, the Innu culture, and Innu-aimun, the Innu language. It also supports the educational success and identity development of the nation’s youth.

First Nation Pedagogical Committee

Claudie Robertson, Lisette Petiquay, Maureen Papatie, Médérik Sioui and Shipiss Michel-McKenzie

Illustrations

Andréa Tremblay

FNEC Team

Brenda Whiteduck, Bruno Rock, Thanissa Lainé, Nicolas Ottawa, Danny Picard, Sheila Gédéon and Annie Gros-Louis

CREO Team

Scriptwriting and Project management: Laëtitia Monnier, Ophélie Delaunay
Art direction and Design: Oscar Baquero, Alexia Villiez
Programming: Malik Benhsain, Adèle Bédard

La BRV Team

Project Manager : Claudia Néron

Work team : Marilyne Soucy, Patricia-Anne Blanchet, Sarah Beauseigle, Camille-Amélie Koziej-Lévesque, Eve Picard, Marie-Céleste Kennedy, Tania Rock-Picard, Valérie Blackburn, Emmanuelle Aurousseau, Mégane Gagnon et Pierre-Olivier Thérien

Linguistic corrections and translations: Marie-Claude Blackburn and Mélanie Dutil

Video clips : Élie Michot, Gabrielle Pâquet, Emmanuel Descôteaux, Marc-André Bernier and Raphael Tremblay

Acknowledgements

The First Nation Education Council (FNEC) would like to thank everyone who, directly or indirectly, contributed to this project. Kichi Migwetch (special thanks) to Celine Thusky for her presence as Kokom.

Funded by the Quebec Ministry of Education