Festival of Learning

Open session for 40 Participants (First-Come, First-In) 

This session is a collection of stories, experiences and insights into how Vancouver Island University is using a principled-approach to work with faculty members to understand, apply and learn new ways of integrating Indigenous perspectives into their classrooms. We are approaching the work around teaching and learning and Indigenous ways of knowing in a way that starts from where people are at and gradually build confidence and new knowledge. We employ the principle of ensuring all learning experiences have at least one (and often 3 or more) Aboriginal perspectives in the circle - rooted in authenticity and ensuring we have the voices of those we are discussing present.

This session will follow a similar format we used in building an Indigenous Learning Circle to share learning, ask questions and explore new principles of practice. An Elder-in-Residence and two faculty members who have made changes to their classes will be part of the circle, along with Directors of Aboriginal Education and the Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning.

Participants will leave with insights and ideas as to next steps for looking at how they can learn and incorporate their learnings into the classroom.


Presenter
Sharon Hobenshield, Director, Aboriginal Education, Vancouver Island University 
Sylvia Scow, Aboriginal Projects Coordinator and Elder Support, Vancouver Island University
Gary Manson, Elder-in-Residence, Office of Aboriginal Education, Vancouver Island University
Liesel Knaack, Director, Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning, Vancouver Island University 
Marilyn Funk, Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology
Deborah Torkko, Professor, Faculty of Arts and Humanities