image description image description

Curriculum Framework

Wabanaki History and Culture

OVERVIEW

As we are all Treaty people, our knowledges and ways of being are woven throughout our daily interactions with learners. Opportunities are co-created to understand and honour historical and contemporary cultures and the nationhoods of Wabanaki Peoples. The curriculum respects Wabanaki worldviews; understandings that are formed by both education in the community and in the provincial education system are equally valued. The responsibility to support the revitalization and preservation of First Nations languages of the Wabanaki Territory, Mi’kmawi’simk and Wolastoqey Latuwewakon, is evident.

ENACTED IN THE CURRICULUM

New Brunswick exists on the traditional lands of Wabanaki Peoples (specifically the Mi’kmaw, Peskotomuhkati, and Wolastoqey Peoples). Therefore, all learners in New Brunswick will develop an understanding and appreciation for Wabanaki histories, cultures, languages, and ways of being, knowing, and doing. Wabanaki children should see themselves reflected in the curriculum, teaching resources, and the learning environment, and have the opportunity to learn from Wabanaki Peoples, not only about Wabanaki Peoples. Wabanaki learners will have high quality learning opportunities in and through their Indigenous languages and all learners will develop an awareness of the first languages of these territories. All courses in all learning areas benefit from the inclusion of Wabanaki perspectives and values. Classroom environments are enhanced through the inclusion of high-quality Indigenous resources and access to Elders and Knowledge Keepers. In practice this:

  • looks like learners and families seeing Wabanaki Peoples, texts, cultural practices, and objects reflected in classroom materials and school spaces;
  • sounds like Wabanaki languages being spoken in classrooms, in the hallways, and by guest speakers; and
  • feels like respectful and curious schools with school community members and treaty relationships being respected.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS

Wabanaki Education is not only for Wabanaki educators and learners. Everyone benefits from learning Indigenous perspectives, values, histories, cultures, and ways of being, knowing, and doing. Similarly, while access to Wabanaki languages is vital for Wabanaki students, there is benefit for all students in learning Wabanaki words and phrases. Wabanaki Education is more than just a topic in Social Studies. There are important understandings and teachings that apply across the curriculum to enrich the lives of all learners. Educators may consult the Wabanaki Framework and its Companion Document for some ideas.

Alignment with New Brunswick Global Competencies

The tenet, Wabanaki History and Culture, is closely aligned with three of the New Brunswick Global Competencies:

  • Communication involves receiving and expressing meaning across cultural contexts. This tenet plays a crucial role in developing this competency by ensuring a rich understanding of Wabanaki cultural lenses for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
  • Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship involves the ability to turn ideas into action to meet a community’s needs. Wabanaki Peoples are uniquely positioned to address social, economic, and ecological needs through culturally based perspectives and techniques.
  • Sustainability and Global Citizenship is closely linked to this tenet through the understanding of Wabanaki worldviews which supports appreciation for and ability to work with diverse beliefs and perspectives.

Tools

Multimedia Resources

Resources to Read

Resources to Browse