Actua and Canadore College Launch Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin Indigenous STEAM For-Credit Program
Media Release
North Bay, Ontario, June 15, 2020
Today, Actua and Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario announced the launch of their new Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin (KM) virtual Indigenous science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) training program.
“Now more than ever, educators, school boards and senior levels of government are looking for new classroom settings to teach youth. Many are turning to outdoor, experiential learning environments. Indigenous people have always used the land as a classroom,” said Doug Dokis, Director of Actua’s National Indigenous Youth in STEM (InSTEM) program. “Actua has been delivering on the land for credit programming across the country for the past three years through our InSTEM program model. We are proud to be supporting this ongoing learning through our partnership with Canadore College to launch the Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin STEM/STEAM Instructor-teacher Virtual Training.”
The KM Indigeous STEAM training, which begins Monday June 15, will include six virtual sessions for Actua network member instructors and teachers who deliver, or are interested in delivering on-the-land STEM programming for youth.
These sessions will be led by elders, knowledge keepers and STEM practitioners and will combine approximately 32 hours of individual home-based learning and live group discussion circles. During the live circles, participants will be able to connect with Actua and partner STEM instructors and land-based educators from across Canada as well as Elders, Knowledge Keepers and instructors who will facilitate discussions. Actua’s InSTEM team will also be present to offer continued support to network members.
“Kiikandaaswiwin Mookiisin speaks to the land as our teacher. Everything we need for life is here for us on the land, hence our dependent relationship with the land, and water should be our first understanding,” said Mary Wabano, Director of the First Peoples Centre, and Associate Dean of the School of Indigenous Studies at Canadore College. “The time to deepen our collective understanding of this fundamental relationship has never been more critical. Indigenous Knowledge in STEAM is taking a lead in the development of technology based in ancient ways of knowing. This is but a small step to sharing our approach to preparing our youth for futures in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics rooted in Indigenous Knowledge and our connection to our lands. We are proud and excited to share this with you at this time in a remote delivery.”
The new national training program is designed to give participants a better understanding of Indigenous STEM activities and the unique cultures, histories and current realities of Indigenous communities. This program is offered in addition to the local Indigenous culture training that Actua network members participate in each year. in-depth understanding of Indigenous STEM.
Upon completion of the first round of training this month, Actua and Canadore College will be developing subsequent training opportunities for K-12 teachers as well as Indigenous high school youth.
About Canadore College
Canadore College trains people through applied learning, leadership and innovation. It provides access to over 80 full-time quality programs and has outstanding faculty and provides success services to students from nearly 400 Canadian communities and 15 international countries. The College and its students add nearly $244 million to Nipissing Parry Sound Service Area economy. Approximately 1,000 students graduate from Canadore each year, and they join 46,000 alumni working across the globe. Canadore receives less than 50 per cent of its traditional funding from the provincial Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and relies on its own innovation and entrepreneurial endeavors and generous donors for the balance.
About Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin Indigenous STEAM Program
Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin Indigenous STEAM Program is an educational and career initiative of the School of Indigenous Studies and the First People’s Centre at Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario, developed with its national partner, Actua. Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin means “knowledge springing forth.”
About Actua
Actua is Canada’s largest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network representing 40 university and college based members. Each year, Actua’s growing network of member organizations reach over 300,000 young Canadians in 500 communities nationwide. Actua focuses on the engagement of underrepresented youth through specialized programs for Indigenous youth, girls and young women, at-risk youth and youth living in Northern and remote communities. Its national InSTEM program reaches over 35,000 Indigenous youth per year in over 200 Indigenous communities. Actua’s major funding partners include: Government of Canada, Google Canada, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, RBC Foundation, Suncor Energy Foundation, TD, Microsoft Canada, Finning Canada, Imperial, Toyota Canada Foundation, GE Canada, Mastercard, CIRA and Lockheed Martin Canada.
Contact Information
Kristina Martin, Director of Communications, Actua
Tel: (613) 234 4137
Email: kristina.martin@actua.ca
Cindy Males, TITLE, Canadore College
Tel: (705)-475-2538
Email: Cindy.Males@canadorecollege.ca