Reflecting on Applying Foundational Knowledge About First Nations, Metis and Inuit

5 A teacher develops and applies foundational knowledge about First Nations, Metis and
Inuit for the benefit of all students.

Student Teacher Practices Influence of Student Learning

Experience

- While I will not be teaching the grade 7 students
for too much longer, I was very pleased to have
the opportunity to begin the Planet Earth unit.
This unit has extensive opportunities for
transferring First Nations, Metis and Inuit
knowledge. By researching relevant local rock
formations and events, I was able to make some
cool connections.
 Turtle mountain, the big rock, hoodoos
- A specific topic discussed during planet earth
was that of landslides. Turtle Mountain, the side
where Frank’s Slide devastated part of a town,
was a great example of how FNMI knowledge is
valuable, because the local tribes had previous
knowledge of Turtle mountains instabilities. They
even called it “the mountain that moves”. This
alone illustrated the point that landslides or
rockslides are especially likely to occur in places
that have experienced landslides before.
- Not only are the First Nations, Metis and
Inuit language, and legends interesting,
but they are also relevant locally. Though
these FNMI tie-in’s students were able to
engage with the FNMI knowledge and
see how their knowledge of local
landforms fit’s a different narrative for
their creation. 
- The FNMI additions expanded student
learning with fascinating tales and
perspective. And, in all cases, it helped
us understand the landforms better.