INDIGENOUS
WORLDVIEWS
As we move in Alberta towards a more Indigenous focus, both students and teachers will need to understand that Indigenous worldviews are fundamentally different from Western worldviews. The traditional European worldview is linear, static and reductionist, compared to a generally circular, mobile and holistic worldview among Indigenous peoples. These differences, which colour the way that we approach the world, are difficult to grasp at any age. Listed below are a few classroom resources for both teachers and students. One is an advanced scholarly article which teachers can use to understand the Indigenous worldviews. Two mainly feature Indigenous voices which the teacher can bring into the grade 7-12 classroom. The last two feature Indigenous creation stories, which feature themes about the Aboriginal worldview, and are simple enough to bring into the grades Kindergarten to 6 classrooms.
RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
​
​
1. Raven's Greatest Creation (Author: David Bouchard)
“Written by celebrated Métis author David Bouchard, Raven’s Greatest Creation is the story of Man’s creation. This story transmits a distinctly Aboriginal worldview, as it situates Man as part of, and dependent on, nature. Raven gives the animals each a role in imparting their wisdom on Man. This showcases the idea of a distinctly Aboriginal way of knowing, as Man gains knowledge through experiencing the natural world. The book is out of print, but a video reading is available by the author..”
​
ISBN: 978-0978432775
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q58Qz1tRoIU
Suggested Grade Levels: K-6
​
​
2. How Things Came to Be: Inuit Stories of Creation (Authors: Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley)
"Award winning Inuit authors Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley have published a compilation of Inuit creation stories. The stories show elements of the the Aboriginal worldview by showing a strong connection between people and the land, and by emphasizing the importance of dreams and imagination.
​
ISBN: 978-1-927095-78-2
Source: Qitsualik-Tinsley, R. & Qitsualik-Tinsley, S. (2015). How Things Came to Be: Inuit Stories of Creation. Iqaluit, NU: Inhabit Media.
Suggested Grade Levels: K-6
​
​
​
​
​
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS
​
​
British Columbia Ministry for Education
​
Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom
​
This document, created by the BC government in consultation with a number of First Nations representatives, has an excellent section describing Aboriginal worldviews and perspectives (pp. 15-38). This section is primarily a collection of Indigenous voices, interspersed with recommendations for classroom implementation
​
British Columbia Ministry for Education. (2015). Aboriginal worldviews and perspectives in the
Classroom. Retrieved from: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/administration/kindergarten-to-grade-12/aboriginal-education/awp_moving_forward.pdf
​
ISBN: 978-0-7726-6928-5
Grades 7-12 and teacher use
​
​
Alberta Education​
​
Our words, Our ways: Teaching First Nations, Métis and Inuit Learners
​
Our Words, Our Ways offers shared wisdom from the Indigenous community. This document was created by the Alberta government in consultation with a number of First Nations and Métis representatives. Section 1 (pp. 1-27) provides excellent insights into specific aspects of the Aboriginal worldview, including views on the community, communication styles, decision-making and different approaches to knowing.
Alberta Education. (2005). Our words, our ways: Teaching First Nations, Métis and Inuit learners.
Retrieved from: https://education.alberta.ca/media/3615876/our-words-our-ways.pdf
ISBN: 978-1-4601-3475-7
Grades 7-12 and teacher use
​
​
Alberta Education
Education for Reconciliation: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Curriculum
​
Alberta Education. (n.d.). Education for Reconciliation: First Nations, Métis & Inuit Curriculum. Edmonton, AB: Alberta Education. Retrived from https://education.alberta.ca/education-for-reconciliation/first-nations-métis-inuit-curriculum/
​
​
First Nations Education in Canada: The Circle Unfolds
​
Aboriginal Epistemology ​
​
Written by a leading Canadian Scholar in Indigenous studies, this piece is an excellent resource for educators who want to understand the differences between Indigenous and Europeans worldviews, and how the difference in worldviews translates to different ways of knowing. Though the language is too scholarly to bring directly into the classroom, the teacher can use this resource to educate themselves in order to bring concepts such as holistic learning into the classroom.
Ermine, Willie. (1995). “Aboriginal epistemology” in J. Barman, J.& M. Battiste, (Eds.), First Nations
Education in Canada: The circle unfolds (pp. 101-112). Vancouver: UBC Press.
ISBN: 978-0774805179
Teacher use
​
​