ERIC Number: EJ992823
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1253
EISSN: N/A
Understanding the Heartbeat
Olson, Jennifer; Selzer, Jessica
Education Canada, v52 n4 Fall 2012
Rather than speak from a place of authoritative knowing on Aboriginal matters, why not work from a place of wondering and invite our students to learn with us in gaining a deeper understanding of First Nations perspective? Two teachers from Rockridge Secondary School in West Vancouver did just that. One afternoon a new understanding of the Squamish culture and spirituality shone in their students' faces as the two classes came together to sing and drum at a blessing ceremony for a cedar raven carving. The raven is a school mascot and also a spiritual symbol for the Squamish nation. Although the two classes had focused on different elements of First Nations culture, together they participated in a living ceremony that spoke of spirit and creation as they had come to understand it through their separate inquiries.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Canada Natives, Secondary School Students, Cross Cultural Studies, Cultural Differences, Cultural Education, Cultural Activities, World Views, Musical Instruments, Art Education, Ceremonies, Self Disclosure (Individuals), Inquiry, Experiential Learning
Canadian Education Association. 119 Spadina Avenue Suite 705, Toronto, ON M5V 1P9, Canada. Tel: 416-591-6300; Fax: 416-591-5345; e-mail: publications@cea-ace-ca; Web site: http://www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada (Vancouver)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A