CULTURAL HERITAGE PROJECTS - Museum Edukits

This 16-month, northern outreach initiative was made possible with a Museums Assistance Program (MAP) grant through Canadian and Aboriginal Heritage (2010 - 2012).  Project partners included Opaskwayak Education Authority, University College of the North, Kelsey School Division, Flin Flon School Division, School District of Mystery Lake, and The Manitoba Museum.

Local youth, artists, elders, knowledge keepers, archivists, community museums, and educators played a role in the success of the project. From these relationships emerged twelve eduktis (two sets of six) that focused on the enrichment and preservation of Cree cultural heritage.

They featured two education guides, teaching stories, books, posters, games, archival resources, dvd’s, language supports, photo narratives, hands-on activities, ceramics, tools, and replica artefacts - purchased, commissioned, and produced in-house.  

The team recognized important parallels with Susan Dion’s exciting work, Braiding Histories: Learning from Aboriginal Peoples’ Experiences & Perspectives (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2009) and adapted the name to this education initiative. 

The image on the front cover of the promotional booklet features a painting by Indigenous artist Jackson Beardy. “Calling Keewatin” is located in the entrance to the Boreal Forest Gallery at The Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg, MB.

Public Lectures

Colloquium Series: Mamawi Apikatetan: Decolonization and Community-based Education Paradigms. Department of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. Winnipeg MB. September 19, 2012.

Presentation: Braiding Histories: A Community-based Education Project in Northern Manitoba. Board of Directors – School District of Mystery Lake. Thompson MB. December 2012.

Presentation: Braiding Histories: A Community-based Education Project in Northern Manitoba. Board of Directors - Opaskwayak Education Authority. Opaskwayak Cree Nation MB. March 2012.

Presentation: Braiding Histories: A Community-based Education Project in Northern Manitoba. Professional Development - Oscar Lathlin Collegiate. Opaskwayak Cree Nation MB. November 2011.

Presentation: Braiding Histories: A Community-based Education Project in Northern Manitoba. Building Student Success with Aboriginal Parents - Aboriginal Education Directorate of Manitoba. Winnipeg MB. November 2011.

Presentation: Braiding Histories: A Community-based Education Project in Northern Manitoba. Professional Development - Kelsey School Division. The Pas MB. October 2011.

Presentation: Education for Youth: Braiding Histories Through Kenanow. Special Area Groups of Educators (SAGE) - Council for Aboriginal Educators in Manitoba. Winnipeg MB. October 2011.

Presentation: Braiding Histories: A Community-based Education Project in Northern Manitoba. Volunteer Training Session – The Manitoba Museum. Winnipeg MB. October 2011.

Lecture: Braiding Histories: A Community-based Education Project in Northern Manitoba. For Helen D. Armstrong and the Community-Based Aboriginal Curriculum Initiatives, Faculty of Education at the Brandon University. Brandon MB. December 2010.

Media

The Winnipeg Free Press. A New Way to Teach the Old Ways. By Carol Saunders. Online version: Museum kits teach aboriginal heritage: Creators hope materials will keep kids in school. May 9, 2012.
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/museum-kits-teach-aboriginal-heritage-150729365.html

Radio Broadcast, UMFM 101.5 FM. At the Edge of Canada: Indigenous Research, hosted by Dr. Robert-Falcon Oulette. “Vanada Fleury, Mamawi Apiketan Decolonization and Community Based Education Paradigms.” October 7, 2012.
https://attheedgeofcanada.blogspot.com/2012/10/vanada-fleury-mamawi-apiketan.htmlutm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+AtTheEdgeOfCanadaIndigenousResearch+(At+the+Edge+of+Canada:+Indigenous+Research)

Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, interview by Matt Thordarson. The Manitoba Museum and Northern Cree Edukits. May 2012.

CBC Information Radio, hosted by Ismaila Alfa. Aboriginal Education. Weekend Morning Show (Manitoba) May 2012.

Newsletter. Braiding Histories: Addressing the Aboriginal Education Crisis. TMM Report: Volume 1, Issue 1. The Manitoba Museum. February 2012.

Newsletter. The Manitoba Museum Partnering With Northern Schools to Bring Resources to Northern Students. Council for Aboriginal Educators in Manitoba. January 2012.

Newsletter. The Manitoba Museum’s Northern Cree Edukits. Manitoba Teacher’s Society. Winnipeg MB. January 2012.

News Release. Government of Canada Supports The Manitoba Museum. Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada. Ottawa ON. August 4, 2010.
https://www.canada.ca/en/news/archive/2010/08/government-canada-supports-manitoba-museum.html

Notable Acknowledgements

The Winnipeg Free Press. Roots, Resilience, Renaissance, Faces of the Aboriginal Community: Vanda Fleury. By Colleen Simard. December 29, 2012.
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/special/ourcityourworld/first-nations/roots-resilience-renaissance-185134231.html.