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Conferences & lectures

Learning within the circle perspectives on First Nations education

Join us for a panel discussion about indigenous experiences, successes and challenges in education


Date & time
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Speaker(s)

Moderator Marsha Vicaire, Panelists: Kenneth Deer, Eleanor Bernard, Alanis Obomsawin

Cost

This event is free

Contact

Karl Hele
514-848-2424 ext. 2532

Where

Henry F. Hall Building
1455 De Maisonneuve W.
Room 7th floor lounge

Wheel chair accessible

Yes

As a part of Concordia University’s First Voices Week, the School of Community and Public Affairs is presents Learning Within the Circle: Perspectives on First Nations Education, a panel discussion exploring community-based approaches to education in First Nations communities that challenge the strict educational framework imposed by the Canadian government through legislation such as Bill C-33 and the Indian Act. Panelists from diverse backgrounds in education will share their various experiences with contemporary, community-based education such as the East Coast’s Mi’kmaq Learning School which has seen impressive success rates at 85%, as well as the possible consequences of legislation such as Bill C-33 for First Nations communities.

About the speakers

Kenneth Deer is the publisher/editor of The Eastern Door, an award winning, independent newspaper serving the Mohawk community of Kahnawà:ke. He has been active at the community level for many years in the area of education, recreation and Indigenous rights. He has been involved for 16 years in education as an education counselor, high school principal and co-chairman of the National Indian Education Council in Canada. For the last 20 years he has worked as a political activist and now a newspaper publisher while at the same time being heavily involved in the Indigenous international movement at the United Nations in Geneva.

Alanis Obomsawin was born in New Hampshire and raised in Quebec. A singer, songwriter, printmaker and engraver, she has also written and directed many documentary features, including Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance, Rocks at Whiskey Trench, Is the Crown at War with Us?, and Hi-Ho Mistahey! She has spent decades chronicling the state-sanctioned indignities and injustices visited on First Nations communities, creating a remarkable body of work driven by equal parts outrage and compassion. Her numerous documentaries comprise an alternative history of Canada's Aboriginal peoples — markedly different from the "official" versions promulgated by governments and mainstream media, whose attitudes have ranged from neglect to racism.

Eleanor Bernard is the executive director of the Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey which means "the whole process of learning.” The organization provides various services; they develop educational alternatives for their communities, promote Mi’kmaq education, interests and rights have jurisdiction over Mi’kmaq educational matters and provides education funding and advice to Mi'kmaq groups.

About the moderator

Marsha Vicaire is Mi’gmaq from Listuguj, Quebec. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate at McGill University in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology. Her research interests lie in understanding the educational experiences of Indigenous students in higher education by examining factors that foster or impede academic success. Prior to attending graduate school, she worked in the field of First Nations education at local and regional levels. Her professional experiences fostered her commitment and passion in creating spaces for Indigenous peoples where they feel important, respected and valued. As a Mi’gmaq speaker, her language and culture are an integral source of support and guidance throughout her dissertation process. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Concordia University and a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology at McGill University.

This event was organized by the School of Community and Public Affairs, First Peoples Studies, Arts and Science Federation of Associations, Political Sciences Student Association, QPIRG Concordia, Concordia Green Party, School of Community and Public Affairs Student Association.


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