WORKING TOGETHER for MI’GMAW EDUCATION STANDARDS

 

The Listuguj Education Training & Employment (LETE) has initiated work to develop Mi’gmaw Education Standards.  LETE’s goal is to create standards for education that meet the aspirations, changing needs, and priorities of learners, educators, and community members of Listuguj. This fall, the LETE staff facilitated a total of six (6) sessions with educators, involving 84 participants.

 

These sessions will continue over the winter and spring of

2022. The LETE will meet with educators, LETE staff, as

well as community members of Listuguj. The Mi’gmaq

Education Standards project is part of LETE governance

and the ongoing transformation in education.

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“[At school] it is important to foster independence,

giving students space to make decisions on their

own, so that they fall in love with the process of

learning (lifelong learners),” AGS Educator (Fall 2021),

when talking about taking a strength-based approach.

 

(Drawing by AGS student Jada Mitchell when she was in Ms. Mandy Belliveau’s Grade 6 French Immersion class. In her write up, Jada observed: “I don’t like anything to be added. The way the school is just fine. I would like an art class. I think they would like that.” In March of 2021, all students at AGS were asked to draw or write about ‘Ta’n Gogwei Mawigsatm Etlgina’masi ula Alaqsite’w Gitpu Gina’muo’guom’/What I Like Best About Being a Student at AGS’.)

 

 

LETE’s Approach 

 

The LETE is taking a collaborative approach to develop its education standards.  We are using several methods to hear from learners, educators, and community. For example, we have conducted surveys; we heard from students AGS students (‘What I Like Best About A.G.S’); and we are facilitating sessions.  The LETE also conducted a literature review to find out what other Indigenous nations are doing to reclaim and strengthen education.

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Why is there a need for Mi’gmaw education standards?

 

There is a need for Mi’gmaw Education Standards to make certain that education and training is rooted in Mi’gmaq values, beliefs, knowledges (connections with land, with family), and language. This work is part of shedding light on the difficult history where schools (Indian Residential and Day Schools) were used for assimilation of Indigenous Peoples and the elimination of Indigenous languages and knowledges.