Abstract
Analysis of focus group and narrative data, together with a review of initial educator/teacher education programs designed for northern Indigenous educators/teachers, provide implications for culturally appropriate programs that address the unique needs of northern Canadian Indigenous educators and teachers. The professional trajectories and initial teacher/educator education experiences of five Indigenous early childhood educators and teachers provide insight into the challenges of becoming credentialed and the outcomes of accredited programs designed in collaboration with northern Indigenous leaders to respond to the challenges.
Highlights
Background to the ResearchWe provide background information about First Nations education and schooling in Canada.We outline postsecondary programs that have been created in Ontario to serve professional preparation needs of First Nations ECEs and kindergarten teachers.Education in Northern First Nations Communities in CanadaIn Canada, historical relationships between Indigenous and mainstream English societies have had a devastating impact on all aspects of social and cultural life in northern Indigenous communities
Participating Indigenous early childhood educators and kindergarten teachers have a wealth of experiences working with children, starting with volunteer work or filling in for someone else, all while having no formal preparation
Recognizing the importance of this shared experience and of Indigenous knowledge, participants’ assessment of the most important goal for their educator/teacher education programs is to support them in deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge, language, and ways of teaching, alongside those of mainstream non-Indigenous society
Summary
Background to the ResearchWe provide background information about First Nations education and schooling in Canada.We outline postsecondary programs that have been created in Ontario to serve professional preparation needs of First Nations ECEs and kindergarten teachers.Education in Northern First Nations Communities in CanadaIn Canada, historical relationships between Indigenous and mainstream English societies have had a devastating impact on all aspects of social and cultural life in northern Indigenous communities. We provide background information about First Nations education and schooling in Canada. Education in Northern First Nations Communities in Canada. In Canada, historical relationships between Indigenous and mainstream English societies have had a devastating impact on all aspects of social and cultural life in northern Indigenous communities. From 1880 to the latter part of the 20th century, First Nations children were forced to attend residential schools sponsored by the federal government and administered by churches (the last school closed in 1996). Separated from their families and often from siblings while residing in the schools, Indigenous children did not experience adult–
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