Sharing Circles

Maskwacis Cultural CollegeJune - July 2014

Sharing Circles Outline

• Honoring and advice circle• Protocol and education circle• Storytelling circle• History and research sharing circle

New Horizons for seniors sharing circle on June 11 at Maskwacis Cultural College

• The circle began at 11 am on June 11th included soup and bannock. Ended at 2 pm. • 12 elders and a total of 35 participants. Most of the conversation was in the Cree

language. This gave all the participants more courage to speak in the Cree language. • The topics for dialogue were:

– Visit seniors in their homes– Host more of these sharing circles– The youth told the elders, "Talk to us rather than talk about us."– Marriage values– Treat other people just like the way you would like to be treat– Teach us how to use computers and technology so that we can connect with our

grandchildren– More Cree speaking circles such as these are needed in our community

• Library need survey• http://setuppubliclibrarywithfncommunity.blogspot.ca/2014/06/new-horizons-for-sen

iors-sharing-cricle.html

Honoring Elders, June 11

Sharing Circle for non-indigenous people on Wednesday, June 18

• New Horizons Sharing Circle for non-indigenous people was facilitated by two elders on Wednesday, June 18 from 11 am to 2 pm. The session had participants from Edmonton Public Library, University of Alberta, Let’s Talk Science, board members from Wetaskiwin Regional School Division, Wolf Creek School division, and Ponoka Outreach school.

• The information flow for the first art was as follows: Introductions, Prayer and indigenous teachings by an elder, Talking stick, and Elder provided suggestions for the concerns and humanity problems/issues. The first art of the circle began with 9 participants. The second part was lunch and networking; included 25 participants. This healing circle was the first step and will be followed by a sweat for participants who require additional support to heal from their past experiences or wounds.

• The questions posed by participants are as follows: When does one get the title of an elder? What is the protocol to invite an elder to a school? The protocol of respect; which elder will lead the circle when more than two elders are present. Questions were posed about the offering of tobacco.

• A library need survey was conducted. 100% consensus in this sharing circle about the need for a community library service for indigenous communities. Schools suggested more training opportunities for their staff and a need for indigenous content and resources as tools to facilitate learning.

• http://setuppubliclibrarywithfncommunity.blogspot.ca/2014/06/new-horizons-sharing-circle-for-non.html

Non-indigenous community learning about protocol and tradition, June 18

Sharing Circle field trip by Grade 6 students from Samson school to the community library on June 19

• Field trip by Grade 6 students from Samson school to the community library on June 19, 1:15 to 2:15 pm.• Agenda

– Journalism as a career and meet and greet journalists– Enjoy library services: read books, computers, guitars in the maker space, listen to songs at the

listening/viewing station– Register for the summer reading program and take home reading packets– Welcome and receive books from a Grade 6 leader from Edmonton School– Storytelling and sharing circle facilitated by Jerry Saddleback– Take home books to read

• Two journalists shared their experience about writing, where they studies to become a writer for a newspaper. Students asked questions about photojournalism and college which offer these courses. Grade 6 student from Edmonton school was inspired by CBC story and in their leadership class she collected books. Student Sophia from Edmonton, Meyonohk School, Millwoods came to the Maskwacis community with her mother and school Principal Mr. Cameron Mah; brought books for Maskwacis students. We are proud of this partnership, teamwork and network. The gold in Canada is the people of Canada. Students help students. Thank you Ms. Emma-Kent grade 6 teacher at Samson school, CBC and student leader Sophia.

• June 19: http://setuppubliclibrarywithfncommunity.blogspot.ca/2014/06/cbc-story-inspires-edmonton-grade-6.html

Storytelling circle, June 19

History Learning Circle, Morley

• History learning and researching sharing circle on July 8th at Chiniki Learning Centre, Morley

• 32 youth/students participated in the learning and sharing circle at Morley. The morning session was presented via traditional storytelling style by MCC, President Patricia Good-will Littlechild. This included origin, identity, mapping and connections with allies/tribes, creations stories, leaders, etc. Handouts included Council Fires Social organization. The afternoon session was a hands-on session in the computer lab. Students learned about open source, virtual reference, online databases, portals, and internet CRAP (Current, Relevant, Authoritative, and Purpose). Students learned about search concepts, Boolean operators, report template in word, and citation formats.

• TD Summer Reading Program materials and fiction books were included in the information literacy folders. Indigenous Library and Information Technology program information was also shared with the learners.

• http://collegelibraryservices.blogspot.ca/2014/07/history-learning-and-researching.html

History and research learning, July 8

Conclusion

• To learn more about sharing circles contact Manisha Khetarpal at 780 585 3925