Métis Foundational Knowledge Themes Moodle Cohorts

  • 1.  July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 07-03-2023 21:12
    Edited by Kathleen Caparro 07-27-2023 11:21
    RLI Métis Foundational Knowledge Themes Moodle Course
    July 2023 Moodle Cohort!

    We hope you are excited to begin (or continue) your learning journey about the Métis Nation.
    Once the course begins, please LOG-IN to your MOODLE COURSE using the username and
    temporary password that was sent to your email address.

    Each week, an RLI Education Team Member will post two questions (TRIVIA and REFLECTION) in this post.
    RESPOND by clicking 'Reply' to ONE QUESTION OR BOTH QUESTIONS each week.

    ●  All responses will be collected as entries in a draw for a printed set of the Métis Foundational Knowledge Themes
    (the draw will take place at the end of the month).

    ●  You may respond to the questions at any time throughout the month; it does not have to be the same week that it was posted.

     ●  In your post, please ensure you reference which question you're responding to (For example: Week 1 Trivia)

    In a post below, please introduce yourself!

    What is your name?
    Where are you joining from?
    Why did you sign up for the Moodle course?

    WEEK 1 TRIVIA:
    Métis in Alberta have spoken four languages traditionally. Which one is missing? Michif, French, English and ?
    What is one question you would like to have answered about the Métis through this course?

    WEEK 1 REFLECTION:

    "Michif language is the essence of the [Métis] culture. If you learn the language, you will learn who we are as a people."
    - Vice-President Dan Cardinal

    WEEK 2 TRIVIA:
    The core Métis value of kinship, community, and networking is evident in which of the following traditions?
    a) celebrations

    b) sharing extra wild game

    c) traditional house design

    d) all the choices are correct

    WEEK 2 REFLECTION:

    “Without [their] culture, without that strong line from [their] forefathers, no [person] knows who [they] really [are]. If one does not know who [they are], [they] cannot possess pride or dignity for [themselves] or [their] people.”

    -Dr. Anne Anderson, Métis scholar and leader

    Dr. Anne Anderson highlights the key relationship between a person's identity and their cultural heritage. Why would it be important to celebrate distinct Métis culture in an educational community?

    WEEK 3 TRIVIA:
    Why do people commemorate Louis Riel on November 16th?

    WEEK 3 REFLECTION:
    “Through the hunt, Métis could understand themselves as a web of kin relations, expressing a collective political will through an assembly of inter-related families that choose a mutually agreed upon leadership.”

    –Adam Gaudry, “Kaa-tipeyimishoyaahk—‘We Are Those Who Own Ourselves’: 

    A Political History of Métis Self-Determination in the North-West, 1830-1870” (PhD

    dissertation, University of Victoria, 2014), 29.


    Dr. Adam Gaudry highlights how wahkohtowin (being related or relationality) is a core framework guiding Métis governance. Is this a narrative you have encountered before when learning about the Métis? Why would it be important to reinforce wahkohtowin and otipemisiwak as Métis Ways of Being for learners?



    WEEK 4 TRIVIA:

    Match each term to the correct definition.

    Terms:

    1) Wahkohtowin

    2) Otipemisiwak

    Definitions:

    a) A word in the Cree language expressing the idea that the Métis lead, govern, care for, and own themselves.

    b) A word in the Cree language describing the importance of kinship among family, extended family, and relationships built extending to natural and spiritual worlds, human and non-human, living and not living worlds.

    WEEK 4 REFLECTION:

    Métis resilience is expressed in the way Métis name themselves as otipemisiwak. In what ways do Métis live out resilience?


    Once you finish the Moodle Course, you will receive a certificate of completion: 


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    Kathleen Caparro
    Administrative Assistant
    Rupertsland Institute
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  • 2.  RE: July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 07-05-2023 21:48

    Hello, my name Corrine.

    I am joining the Moodle from Delta, British Columbia
    I signed up for this course because I only found out as an adult that I am Metis. I was not raised with the traditions or knowledge, and I would like to understand the culture and traditions better.
    My questions to have answered is to identify how little I know about Metis culture so that I can begin to correct my lack of knowledge so that I feel more Metis.


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    Corrine Bell
    Surrey School District
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  • 3.  RE: July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 07-05-2023 21:58

    Métis in Alberta have spoken four languages traditionally. Which one is missing?

    Answer: Bunji



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    Corrine Bell
    Surrey School District
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  • 4.  RE: July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 07-20-2023 15:00

    Hello, 
    My name is Sam Sauer and I am from Falun, Alberta. I signed up for this course after being a part of some really incredible sessions that the Rupertsland Institute offered for our division PD days. I am taking this course with a friend of mine for our summer PD. 
    I am a little late to the party (2 weeks behind; but I am getting caught up). For the Trivia question, I think I remembered reading in the glossary in the introductory materials that the answer is BUNJI.


    In response to the critical thinking question, I think in terms of every language; identity and culture are a fundamental part. Language is something that identifies us; makes us stand proudly and unique apart from others as strong nations within the nation-state of Canada. It connects us together. It also use to transfer knowledge. As we all know, not everything translates nicely from language to language so the full meaning of something is best understood in that language. When you lose language you lose aspects of your identity and culture. Language is the clay from which culture is built; hence why during the assimilative policies of the government were enacted they were targeted at eradicating language. So this week, I have learned that the Metis language is key to their identity and culture. I have learned the risk that it is up against and the ways in which the community and others are using to revitalize the language.



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    Samantha Sauer
    BGRS
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  • 5.  RE: July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 07-23-2023 22:18

    Week Two...

    Trivia Response: I think it is D "all of the above choices are correct"

    Response to Reflection Question: Culture is learned so it would make sense that it should be celebrated in an educational community. It also helps bridge the gaps or alienation that have been created due to assimilative policies from various levels of government; so having students see themselves reflected in the institutions such as the education system is an important part of reconciliation And, to make our teaching culturally sensitive. It also allows others who are not Metis to experience the culture and learn the rich history and culture.



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    Samantha Sauer
    BGRS
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  • 6.  RE: July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 07-23-2023 22:26

    Hello, my name is Kim 

    I am from Sherwood Park, Alberta. I signed up for this course to learn more about the Metis people of alberta. I am originally from northern Ontario and now that I live in Alberta I teach for Black Gold School Division. I enjoy learning about other cultures and I'm excited to learn more about the unique culture of the Metis.

    Week 1: Missing Language is Bunji

    Week 2: D all of the above. 

    It is important to celebrate Metis history and culture separately from our celebration of other indigenous cultures as it is a contact culture and it is unique in many areas.



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    Kim Engler
    Black Gold School Division
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  • 7.  RE: July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 07-24-2023 00:20

    Week 3...

    Trivia Response: People commemorate the sacrifice that Louis Riel made to defend the rights of the Metis and advocate for the Metis nation. This date is significant because it was on the day he was hanged (gave his life).

    Reflection Response (Re: Gaudry Quote):  I have not encountered this narrative in learning about the Metis.  But I think that this is important to reinforce because together with their family/their kin they are able to celebrate and live out their traditions which means there is the transmission of culture from one generation to another. It anchors people together in a nation; there is strength in numbers; reinforcing wahkohtowin can counter assimilation or the pressure of conforming to cultures not our own.



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    Samantha Sauer
    BGRS
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  • 8.  RE: July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 07-24-2023 07:40

    Week 4...

    Trivia Response

    a) A word in the Cree language expressing the idea that the Métis lead, govern, care for, and own themselves.=Otipemisiwak

    b) A word in the Cree language describing the importance of kinship among family, extended family, and relationships built extending to natural and spiritual worlds, human and non-human, living and not living worlds. =Wahkohtowin

    Response to Reflection Question...

    Metis live(d) out resilience in some of the following ways...

    -The tireless advocacy of rights in the early periods of the Metis provisional government and historic battles with the government
    -Continued campaign for recognition to be included as Aboriginal people in Section 35 of the Constitution
    -Throughout the many court cases to make sure rights were upheld
    -Maintaining their language, culture & identity despite being displaced and dispossessed
    -The formation of Metis associations and organizations to work on behalf of the Metis in the process of reconciliation



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    Samantha Sauer
    BGRS
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  • 9.  RE: July 2023 Moodle Cohort

    Posted 08-16-2023 14:29

    Week 4 trivia:

    1) Wahkohtowin: is B A word in the Cree language describing the importance of kinship among family, extended family, and relationships built extending to natural and spiritual worlds, human and non-human, living and not living worlds.

    2) Otipemisiwak: Is A A word in the Cree language expressing the idea that the Métis lead, govern, care for, and own themselves.



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    Candy Piper
    Paddle Prairie Head Start
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