Increasing/Raising/Examining Our Expectations of Aboriginal Learners

• Main Author: Kirkness, Verna J.
• Other Authors: Indigenous Education (University of British Columbia), Xwi7xwa Library (University of British Columbia)
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Indigenous Education; First Nations
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/44106

As Aboriginal people, we have over the last thirty years, tried to influence change in education to make it meaningful, satisfying and even enjoyable to Aboriginal learners. Our expectation is that by providing an education that respects their cultural integrity, they will be successful. Educational institutions, (schools, colleges, universities, school divisions) for the most part, expect all students to come and partake of what the institution has to offer and to be successful. It is, however, a well known fact, that when the learner’s heritage and culture does not comply with the status quo, a “one-size fits all” does not work. In the case of the Aboriginal learner, history and culture has to be addressed if we expect them to fulfill their aspirations. This presentation, then, will begin with an overview of where we have been in education, briefly outlining the history of Aboriginal education. In considering the present, we will look at how the institutions can be more effective in honouring our philosphy of education through a culturally responsive curriculum and culturally responsive teachers First Nations House of Learning Education, Faculty of Teacher Education President's Office Unreviewed [This collection comprises a comprehensive sample of Verna Kirkness' speeches dating from 1973 to 2012 being housed at the Xwi7xwa Archives. Kirkness organized most of the materials in sequentially numbered file folders with some loose papers. The materials have not been further organized or analyzed by the Xwi7xwa staff. We hope this incredibly rich collection of works will continue to be a resource in the continuing efforts furthering Indigenous Education.] Faculty