Sharing our Gifts sessions are an important part of Teach For Canada’s Summer Enrichment Program. This year’s sessions brought First Nations Elders and Knowledge Keepers together with the 2022 Teacher Cohort to share lessons, teachings, and knowledge with educators, as they prepare to fill roles in northern First Nation schools.
What participants are saying about the Summer Enrichment Program Sharing Our Gifts sessions:
“That Ojibwe lesson was awesome–I loved connecting words. As you begin to expand your vocabulary, you start to see some of the patterns that connect phrases, and it’s really neat.”
The 2022 Summer Enrichment Program offered a total of three Sharing Our Gifts sessions, which included storytelling and a beading lesson. In addition to Sharing Our Gifts, teachers also participate in language courses, where they have the opportunity to learn Ojibwe, Oji-Cree, and Cree from First Nations community members.
Languages spoken in the First Nations that Teach For Canada serves
Incorporating Indigenous languages is an important part of culturally responsive teaching. While Teach For Canada acknowledges that it is always best for educators to defer to the school’s language teacher, or bring local language speakers into their classrooms, beginning to understand some words themselves is a great first step.
The following resource list was created to supplement virtual Sharing Our Gifts Language Lessons, and encourage educators to continue their own learning beyond the two-week program.
Check out the resources below to familiarize yourself with the languages used across the First Nations that Teach For Canada serves.
Anishinaabemowin & Ojibwe
| Online Resources | Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Ojibwe and Cree Dictionary | Animal Bingo Cards (Cat Lake Dialect) |
| Apps | KOBE Learn Ojibway (Google Play) (iOs) | Cat Lake Ojibway Flashcards |
| Videos | 7000 Languages Transparent Language Learning |
Oji-Cree
| Online Resources | 7000 Languages Transparent Language Learning |
| Apps | KOBE Learn Oji-Cree (Google Play) (iOs) |
| Videos | Word Wednesday (Anisininew Isikkeesiwaywin/Island Lake Dialect) with Lyle Wood |
Denesųłįné
| Online Resources | 7000 Languages Transparent Language Learning |
| Apps | Learn Cold Lake First Nations Denesųłįné Clearwater River Dene Language |
| Videos | Months in Dene |
Swampy Cree
| Online Resources | 7000 Languages Transparent Language Learning Fort Severn Cree Dictionary |
| Apps | KOBE Learn Cree (Google Play) (iOs) |
Rocky Cree
| Apps | Prism Interactive Story and accompanying Teachers Guide by William Dumas (Culture and Language Program Coordinator in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation) |
Teach For Canada’s Summer Enrichment Program is a two-week educator preparation program, led by Indigenous leaders, northern teachers, and education experts. The program prepares teachers to fill roles in northern First Nation schools.
2022 marks the third year that the cornerstone program has been fully digitized in response to COVID-19. From 2015-2019, the program was held in-person at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.
Learn more about the Summer Enrichment Program here.