Each year the Show Me Your Math program invites aboriginal students from grades primary to twelve in Atlantic Canada to explore mathematics in their cultural practices and community. The projects are then shared with Elders, peers, teachers and community members.

“We let the students become the researchers,” says Lisa Lunney Borden, Assistant Professor in First Nations and Math Education at St. Francis Xavier University. “They’re then given the chance to engage in authentic conversation about their findings with Elders which gives them a great sense of pride in their work.”

Over 3,000 Mi’kmaw students in Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey schools have participated in the fair since its launch in 2006. It has expanded this year to include public schools in Nova Scotia that serve Mi’kmaw communities in the Strait, Chignecto Central, and Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Boards.
Show Me Your Math is unique in that the students’ projects are showcased and celebrated in a non-competitive atmosphere.

“In this type of environment, students are comfortable and excited to share what they have learned,” says Lunney Borden. “In fact, this year almost every student in an MK school has created a project.”

Funding has also been received to introduce a two-day summer institute to develop new curricular materials drawing from the projects. The goal is to eventually transform these ideas into culturally rooted materials for teachers in Nova Scotia and beyond.

“It’s important that students and educators benefit from the wealth of resources emerging from the fair,” emphasizes Lunney Borden. “Securing permanent sponsorship will help us achieve this goal.”

This year’s event is supported by Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the Nova Scotia Department of Education (Mi’kmaw Services Division), Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Tripartite Forum, Aboriginal Health Initiative Program, and St. Francis Xavier University.

Kji-keptin Alexander Denny
July 26, 1940 - December 25, 2004

The Unama’ki College Mi’kmaq Language Lab is to be named

Kji-keptin Alexander Denny
L’nui’sultimkeweyo’kuom

Tuesday, May 1, 2012
11:00 a.m.

View the live webcast at www.kinu.ca

The Adopt-a-Library Program, founded by Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable John Kennedy, was established to prevent criminal behavior among youth through the promotion of literacy via libraries and schools. The Program’s WOW! Reading Challenge is an annual contest that encourages literacy development and healthy competition.

Reading an average of 155 books each, elementary students at LSK placed first in the First Nation Division. This performance also subsequently awarded LSK students their division’s provincial, national, and world literacy champion titles. Junior high students at LSK placed third in the First Nation Division.

“They already read a lot at the library or in the classroom, but this will make them want to read even more,” says Sharon Culbertson of LSK. “These children strive to be recognized every day, and now they have been recognized at provincial, national, and world levels. There certainly is a lot of pride here today.”

This is the second year that Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey (MK) schools have participated in the reading challenge. MK develops alternatives and promotes Mi’kmaq education, interests and rights and has jurisdiction in Mi’kmaq educational matters in its 11 member communities in Nova Scotia. LSK is one school under the jurisdiction of MK.

Through the Adopt-a-Library program, MK aims to increase book collections, develop safe communities, and build programming surrounded by respect, sense of community, self-esteem and pride. Over the past year, MK’s literacy development efforts have put over $80,000 worth of books into its schools.

“Since the Adopt-a-Library Program has come to MK communities we have seen not only an increase in our students’ academic reading levels, but more importantly, an increase in their love of reading,” says Janice Ciavaglia, Literacy Consultant at Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey. “Our students are now realizing that reading is not just something that happens at schools; it can also happen at home.”

Representatives from the RCMP, MK, the Adopt a Library Literacy Program, and LSK staff were on hand to present awards to students and teachers. For more information about the Adopt-a-Library program, visit www.fightingcrime.ca.

The goal of the WOW! Reading Challenge is to foster a closer relationship between schools, the public library and the police for the benefit of children and to encourage literacy development and a spirit of healthy competition. The WOW! Challenge is open to all schools from Primary to Grade 6.

This is the first time students at LSK won their division. On Thursday morning, they will be receiving a trophy in recognition of their achievement. The event will take place at LSK school.

Location and time:

L’nu Sipuk Kina’muokuom (LSK) School
579 Church Street
Indian Brook, NS
Thursday, April 26th, 2012
9:30 a.m.

Up to 12 university scholarships, valued at $10,000 each ($2,500 renewable over four years), are awarded annually to students completing Grade 12 at a Nova Scotia high school with the intent to pursue energy-related studies at a university.

The program also offers up to ten non-renewable $2,500 scholarships for first-year students pursuing energy-related trades and technology programs at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).

Applicants must be completing Grade 12 at a Nova Scotia high school or be mature students returning to the academic community to continue their education. A mature student indicates students who have graduated from a Nova Scotia high school one or more years ago. Students applying must be graduating with a Nova Scotia high school diploma.

Two of the trade scholarships are designated each year to Aboriginal students.

For more information, visit the NS Dept. of Energy website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/energy/careers-training/scholarship-program.asp. Application forms are also available at the MK Head Office. To obtain application forms, contact Meghan at meghan@kinu.ca or (902)567-0336 x227.

ANTEC provides relevant professional development opportunities, in the form of workshops, information sessions, and presentations, to all educators who teach or work with First Nations students in Band operated schools, provincial schools, and post-secondary institutions. The theme of this year’s conference is “Student Success in the 21st Century”, and will feature workshops and presentations focused on technology, family and community engagement, early childhood education, positive school environments, the First Nations Student Success Program, Elders, and Mi’kmaw language and culture.

Registration is limited to 400. Detailed conference information (including pre-registration forms and a tentative agenda) can be found at www.antec.ca. Organizations or individuals interested in securing a vendor/information booth can contact Meghan at Meghan@kinu.ca or (902)567-0336.

The base beat for the rap contest has been created by Keith ‘KaseBeatz’ Julian, and is available for download on the Red Road Project website. Further contest details can be found at www.redroadproject.ca. The contest closes Saturday, March 31, 2012.

Conceived in early 2012 by community Chiefs, the Red Road Project aims to educate First Nations youth about the dangers of using illegal substances, and raise awareness of its damaging effects to family, friends and the community. The project’s name, “Red Road”, is the Native American concept that means to be on the right path in life in harmony with our Creator.

“The concept of ’Red Road’ perfectly captures the mission of this project,” says Faye Googoo, Youth Worker at Atlantic Canada’s First Nation Help Desk. “Our goal is to get youth back on the right path of life’s journey, so the name we chose is a great fit.”

The project was officially launched Thursday at Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey’s annual Community Strategic/Operational Planning Symposium in Dartmouth. Delivering messages of support were representatives from Elders, RCMP, Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling Association (NADACA), Eskasoni Parents Against Drugs, and Senator Don Meredith. More than 30 First Nation youth were in attendance to present their vision for the project, and another 1000 youth from 11 First Nation communities across the country, China, Hawaii and the Arctic region tuned in via videoconference.

The Red Road Project takes a unique approach by letting the campaign’s content and direction to be created entirely by aboriginal youth.

“The messages will be created by youth and for youth, which is the most powerful message of all,” says Googoo. “It’s not just going to be a learning experience for those involved. They will also have fun and gain friends during the project.”

Upcoming initiatives will see additional contests, as well as employment opportunities funded by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) Skills Link Program. Project information can be found at www.redroadproject.ca

Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey (MK) is a unified team of chiefs, staff and educators advocating for the protection of Mi’kmaw education and language in 11 First Nation communities in Nova Scotia. The Community Strategic/Operational Planning Symposium allows MK staff and member bands to develop their annual education agenda and operational plan. This year’s symposium theme is Holistic Approaches to Healthy Communities through Education.

“This important event helps us determine the finer details needed to achieve MK’s educational objectives,” says Lauretta Welsh, Director of Planning and Finance.

The symposium highlights MK’s strategic plan and individual community operations, facilitates workshops focusing on emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual components, and hosts a session of reflection and sharing of ideas between communities. New to this year’s symposium is the integration of the youth voice, and the launch of the organization’s first anti-substance abuse campaign, the Red Road Project. Approximately 20 youth from each member community will attend the event and contribute to the planning sessions.

“All communities are asked to give suggestions on activities they would like to see MK focus on, or facilitate,” says Welsh. “We’re looking forward to hearing from the youth and the vision they have for their education.”

Feedback from the event is integrated into the new MK Operational Plan, and is presented in a format that allows communities to easily track progress and monitor outcomes. The 2012 plan will be presented and reviewed by the Education Working Group in April, followed by a presentation to the MK Board of Directors for approval.

For more information, visit www.kinu.ca