Healing and Collaboration is Key to Transforming Learning in K-12 Schools
K-12 teachers sat in conversation with Indigenous Knowledge Carriers to apply Indigenous teachings to STEM-focused project cycles to transform learning during the 2022-2023 school year.
K-12 teachers representing Lehman Alternative Community School and Enfield Elementary School gathered around in a circle with Angie Ferguson the manager of the Onondaga Nation farm and a founding member of Braiding the Sacred on Wednesday, August 24th. Braiding the Sacred is an expanding network of Indigenous Corn growers from the four directions, unifying to preserve and perpetuate their traditional varieties of sacred Corn. The Onondaga Nation Farm cultivates to provide for the Onondaga Nation by growing, foraging, teaching, hosting gatherings and sharing all harvests with the community. Angie introduced herself and acknowledged the children present in the room, “We often leave our children at home but how else will they learn if we don’t bring them along?”
Intentionally cultivating intergenerational spaces is an example of Indigenous teaching
that, when honored in communities and learning spaces, can profoundly impact the lives of children and the next seven generations. What followed was an exciting conversation about the traditional varieties of Corn from all over Turtle Island and some of the teachings behind growing Corn that relates to the sacred relationship between people and the Land. Afterward, teachers reflected on what teachings affirmed what they knew and what teachings challenged their worldview.
Unanimously, teachers shared that they were afraid that if they were going to explicitly teach the wisdom from Angie Ferguson and other Elders, they would be committing cultural appreciation. This concern is valid as Indigenous communities continually experience extractivism in their territories and appropriation of their cultural creations and knowledge.
After sitting in conversation, teachers realized there is a way to honor the shared wisdom and information without committing cultural appreciation.
The key is to build authentic relationships with Elders and Knowledge Carriers, for teachers themselves to embody the reverence for the sacred elements and relationships between people and the Land, and for students to know where the teachings come from.
All of these elements are part of the framework of the OJI:SDA’ Center for Intergenerational Learning because following the guidance of Indigenous Knowledge Carriers will ensure the sustainability of the future of all of our communities on mama Earth.
Teachers also learned from:
Frieda Jacques (Whatwehnineh), Clan Mother of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation
Dr. Vanessa Quezada (Kickapoo and Chichimeca). Co-founder of SanArte Healing & Cultura Clinic, led a presentation on Native Food as Medicine
Madelein Santibáñez (Purépecha), Co-founder of De Corazon Consulting, led a presentation on Ethnomathematics
The 2022 Teacher Gathering began with a water ceremony at Ithaca Falls.
Teachers reflected on how they could incorporate how they learned and what they learned into a single lesson plan or project cycle. Day 3 of the OJI:SDA’ Teacher Gathering was spent brainstorming and designing a student-driven, inquiry-based project cycle. Teachers will receive support as they continue to design and implement their project cycles throughout the school year.
OJI:SDA’ is incredibly grateful to everyone who made our inaugural Teacher Gathering possible. This includes our K-12 teachers, their school leaders, the Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Carriers who gave us the gift of their time and wisdom, and all of our supporters who donated to the Center for Intergenerational Learning. We are still accepting donations to equitably compensate our Elders, Knowledge Carriers, and K-12 teachers as they collaborate to transform learning experiences for all youth especially Indigenous youth.
OJI:SDA’ Sustainable Indigenous Futures
Celebrating our vision of a world where Indigenous people are seen, heard, healthy and thriving - we are excited to be collaborating with K-12 teachers and Indigenous Knowledge Carriers to transform the experience of learning for youth in New York Public Schools.
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