Instructional Design: Exemplar H3

Standard: Cultivating Effective Instructional Design to Co-plan, Teach and Assess Learning.

Theme: Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being (First Nation, Métis and Inuit Ways, Traditional Skills and Knowledge)

Growth Phase: Established

Growth Indicator: Students have opportunities to build allyship with Indigenous peoples in Canada through experiential learning in the LLC, specifically focusing on local, then pan-indigenous opportunities.


Educational Technology Lead & Instructor from Grey&Ivy presented a maker workshop at the University of British Columbia Master of Educational Technology Program (MET) Inclusive Makerspace Conference. This slideshare from the workshop details how it was set up to transform participants into makers and designers as they collaborated to develop low-tech tools/systems to support learning and identify the benefits of working in a social, makerspace environment. An assortment of simple materials (i.e. construction paper, popsicle sticks) and tools (i.e. scissors, glue) was used. Includes design process chart and photographs.

Granchelli, A.  (2023).  DIY Educational Tools [Slideshare].  Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WkT3SMjRrnxI4eU3YW_8FDklBpe4BTPHACx1tj8C9mg/mobilepresent?slide=id.g24a18fcbf04_0_13654


Canadian School Libraries partnered with TEACH Magazine and Bibliovideo to develop The Great Canadian Book Project with funding from the Canada Book Fund.  A wide range of Canadian-authored books with other resources and activities were created for K-12 students around three themes: Student Well-Being, Indigenous Voices, and Global Issues.  “Indigenous Voices: Impact of Residential Schools” in this exemplar was developed by a BC teacher-librarian for middle school grades 7-10.  Includes highly recommended literature, processes, activities and resources.

Berra, M.  (2023).  Indigenous Voices: Impact of Residential Schools [PDF].  Retrieved from https://www.dropbox.com/s/4603haegxg5r16v/IndigenousVoices_LP_ResidentialSchools.pdf?dl=0


Canadian School Libraries partnered with TEACH Magazine and Bibliovideo to develop The Great Canadian Book Project with funding from the Canada Book Fund.  A wide range of Canadian-authored books with other resources and activities were created for K-12 students around three themes: Student Well-Being, Indigenous Voices, and Global Issues.  “Indigenous Voices: Inuit Culture, Lifestyle, and Traditions” in this exemplar was developed by an Ontario teacher-librarian specialist for grades 4-6.  Includes highly recommended literature, processes, activities and resources. 

Mulcaster, M.  (2023). Indigenous Voices: Inuit Culture, Lifestyle, and Traditions [PDF].  Retrieved from https://www.dropbox.com/s/ld0hy5d4crbsslh/IndigenousVoices_LP_InuitCulture.pdf?dl=0


Ontario school district personnel collaborated with artist Isaac Murdoch who provided images for students to explore and connect their responsibilities to the environment.  Audio recordings attached to the images have the artist explain why he created the image and the message behind it, followed by suggested inquiries and activities.  

Paul, S. & Williams, J.  (2021).  Exploring Art as an Inspiration for Change [Slideshare].  Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vTuJl9LBk2vOgz5Js7Hpca7m_Eqay-xjsIG4ikl92Q0uvGws4vXRsjbEPqvvl7Evf2jitwuUQDcV0Ad/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p


University of Manitoba architectural instructors and faculty members have begun to use their classrooms and design studios to engage in partnerships with Indigenous communities. By reconsidering their approach in how they teach design and returning to land-based practices, students may come to see the land as their partner—as a teacher. Includes photographs, designs, and thought provoking ideas. Bibliography provides additional reading/resources on the subject.

Bailey, S., Black, H. & Coar, L.  (2022, May1).  Decolonizing the Design Process with Five Indigenous Land-Based Paradigms [Blog Post].  Retrieved from https://www.canadianarchitect.com/decolonizing-the-design-process-with-five-indigenous-land-based-paradigms/


Leading Ontario educators and a teacher-librarian share the work that encompassed their knowledge, teaching, and learning around the picture book, Tyowennatyerénhton First Words by authors Gail Brant-Terry and Dianne Sedore-McCoy, selected by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre as a 2024 Best Book for Kids and Teens, and focusing on the revitalization of Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk language). Includes using Indigenous picture books in the classroom and library.

Rondeau, O., Brant-Terry, G., Sedore-McCoy, D., & Sutherland, P.  (2024, March 14).  Land as First Teacher: Indigenous STEAM learning through picture books.  Canadian School Library Journal 8(1). https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/land-as-first-teacher-indigenous-steam-learning-through-picture-books/