new horizons for seniors accountability report for 2014-2015 final report
TRANSCRIPT
New Horizons For Seniors
2014-2015 Project Report
Prepared by Manisha Khetarpal
3/30/2015
• One on one training • Youth development • Sharing Circles • MP Blaine Calkins New Hor izons For
Seniors Gathering • Community BBQ •Drop in Technology Tuesdays in the library • Liv ing Library
•Digital Learning• Nechi cafe
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 2
Executive Summary
This accountability report is prepared for the New Horizons for Seniors programs
offered in 2014-2015. The activities offered were one-on-one training by an
indigenous person, Summer Students, Sharing Circles, MP Blaine Calkins participating
at the New Horizons for Seniors Gathering, and the Drop-in Technology Tuesdays in
the library.
We began offering one on one computer training for seniors in April of 2014. The
instructor was Shawn Yellowbird. This semi formal approach and advertising in the
community did not bring out many seniors. However, a couple of seniors did come to
learn more about the features of the current technology products they were using
such as their cell phones and cameras. This structured training pilot ran from April to
June of 2014 included navigating the internet, MS office, social media and
technology training needs suggested by community members.
From June onwards we shifted gears and offered a soft approach of mingling
youth with seniors at community BBQs and a series of sharing circles. The youth said,
‘Talk to us rather than talk about us. Teach us the Cree language.’ Elders shared the ir
feelings such as holding back from some youth because of their aggressive
behaviour; however the elders expressed their love, caring and compassion in so
many ways. A series of sharing circles were offered from June to November 2014,
January to March 2015, and this opened up communication pathways and
encouraged social bonding. Sharing circles helped expand our contacts, cultivate
relationships with Living Library, Nechi café and Digital Institute assisted with the reach
of our program. It laid the foundation to develop on existing pathways. This created a
safe environment for open communication, learning and knowledge exchange
between elders, youth and everyone in our community.
MP Blaine Calkins participated at the New Horizons for Seniors Gathering on
September 8, 2014. More activit ies included presentations by Rainbow woman, Bruce
Cutknife, and the Drop-in Technology Tuesdays and More Technology Thursdays were
offered at the Maskwacis library during September to November of 2014.
Elders taught traditional songs and drumming to youth. Technology and sharing
circles brought the community together for knowledge translation and transfer
between participants. The circle of energy facilitated and merged traditional and
contemporary technology learning by establishing the path of relevant context and
content. What’s important is the motivation to learn demonstrated when elders and
youth spent three hours together in a sharing circle and all the people involved had
an opportunity to participate and contribute their thoughts. We all became learners.
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 3
MP Blaine Calkins New Horizons for Seniors
Gathering
The gathering was hosted on September 8, 2014 and this day is commemorated by UNESCO as International Literacy Day. Mr. Blaine Calkins in his speech honored
indigenous elders in the community.
Media coverage
September 10, 2014:
http://www.ponokanews.com/community/274607411.html
September 17, 2014:
http://eedition.wetaskiwintimes.com/doc/Wetaskiwin-Times-
Advertiser/wetasiwin-0917/2014091601/13.html#12
Elder Mr. Frank saying a prayer
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 4
Holistic approach to healing presentation by
Rainbow Woman
Presenter Facilitator Ningwakwe (Rainbow Woman), aka Priscilla George, is a Deer Clan AnishnawbeKwe from the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation.
Ningwakwe has been involved with cultivating indigenous training from the
grassroots and international levels. Ningwakwe advocates for the holistic
approach to life, which means recognizing and nurturing the Spirit, Heart, Mind
and Body and all areas of life and relationship. This is the foundation for
developing positive cultural identity, which gives us the skills to walk successfully
in two worlds – the aboriginal and the non-aboriginal. She did a presentation
on September 8, 2014 to the Maskwacis community.
Participant reflection and feedback
Rainbow women’s presentation was an eye opener for me. She taught me about the medicine wheel and how important it is to learn about ourselves, our culture and
tradit ions. To nurt ure our mind, body, spirit , and heart . I also enjoyed the meanings of the colors of the rainbow. (Part icipant A)
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 5
Really enjoyed Rainbow woman’s presentation. She is a very intelligent wonderful
woman. I hope to be as smart and outspoken as her. I really liked her rainbow theory and how she told us about what the color’s represent. I also enjoyed the medicine wheel –
emotion, spirit , heart and body. I wouldn’t mind to see her again, hear more about her studies. I also would like to read her books. They sound really interest ing. (Part icipant S)
Rainbow woman was inspiring, no matter how down and lost you are, you can pick
yourself up, only if you really want to change your life. It is totally up to you. Some people
are too lost to even try or think they can’t but it’s all in their head, you can only keep yourself down. Her rainbow was awesome. All though I can’t remember the colors what
they represent. I enjoyed the presentation. (Part icipant P)
Rainbow woman inspired me. She is something like me but I am st ill st ruggling. The way she was saying how she had addict ions, like it ’s nice to know that there is st ill hope for me
and she had addict ions like all of us. It’s started way back with my parents and now I raise
my kids on my own and I st ruggle every day. Rainbow woman really touched me with her life story where things happened with drugs and alcohol and how she got help and
knowing there are people st ill out there that care and how you and how you can get back in the world because as people say there is a big world out there. I lost my
language when I was six years of age and don’t know how to speak it . I take my hat off
for her and her culture. Well, I learned a lot and a touching story of her life and how many years’ sobriety and help she got from the people that supported her. Hope I can do the
same one day. (Part icipant W)
She was such an awesome lady that shared her story with us and some of the woman
who sat in her presentation can relate to what she talked about. I have learned the colors of the rainbow. (Part icipant I)
I never knew about the rainbow like that all my
years in schooling I never got through. Now, I’m happy I got to know something new and show my
kids the meaning of red, orange, yellow, green,
blue, indigo, violet saying (Part icipant C)
Elder Mary Moonias presenting
a gift to the presenter
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 6
Sharing Circles
Sharing Circle is a program model where all participants sit in a circle. The
conversation is facilitated by an elder or a person designated by an elder.
Some elders used talking sticks such as a stone or a feather. The circle is not
hierarchical and everyone participates and contributes. For our sharing circles
all the participants stayed together for atleast two to three hours. An
honorarium and/or gift are presented to elders. Food was prov ided as it
naturally made participants stay engaged longer and encouraged table
conversations.
A series of eight sharing circles were hosted involving knowledge transmission
and social participation of elders.
June 11, 2014: Elders, Maskwacis
June 18, 2014: Schools and non indigenous learning about elders and
protocol
June 19, 2014: Field trip including storytelling
July 8, 2014: History learning and researching at Chiniki Learning Centre
September 9, 2014: Rainbow woman’s holistic approach using medicine
wheel/circle
November 18, 2014: Marilyn Rowan’s talking circle about indigenous
parenting
January 21, 2015: Elders Wisdom Sharing Circle with youth as an audience
March 11, 2015: Elders Community and Family History Sharing Circle with
active participation by youth
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 7
New Horizons for Seniors sharing circle on June 11, 2014 at
Maskwacis Cultural College
The circle began at 11 am on June 11. It included soup and bannock and
ended at 2 pm. 12 elders and a total of 35 participants took part. 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 as
follows:
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 treated
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
Now, watch our circle growing in the following pictures.
http://setuppubliclibrarywithfncommunity.blogspot.ca/2014/06/new-horizons-for-seniors-sharing-
cricle.html
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 8
Sharing Circle for non-indigenous people on Wednesday,
June 18, 2014
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 part 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 part 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.
To join the sharing and healing circle call 780 585 3925.
http://setuppubliclibrarywithfncommunity.blogspot.ca/2014/06/new-horizons-sharing-circle-for-
non.html
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 9
Sharing Circle field trip by Grade 6 students from Samson school
and Meyonohk School to the community library on June 19, 2014
Mr. Jerry Saddleback facilitated a storytelling sharing circle for the field trip by Grade 6 students from Samson
school to the community library on June 19, 1:15 to 2:15 pm. The flow of information was as follows:
1. Journalism as a career and meet and greet journalists
2. Enjoy library services: read books, computers, guitars in the Makerspace, listen to songs at the
listening/viewing station
3. Register for the summer reading program and take home reading packets
4. Welcome and receive books from a Grade 6 leader from Edmonton School
5. Storytelling and sharing circle facilitated by Jerry Saddleback
6. Take home books to read
Two journalists shared their experience about writing, where they studied to become a writer for a newspaper.
Students asked questions about photojournalism and colleges 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.
http://setuppubliclibrarywithfncommunity.blogspot.ca/2014/06/cbc-story-inspires-edmonton-grade-
6.html
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 10
History learning and researching sharing circle on July 8, 2014
at Chiniki Learning Centre, Morley
32 youth/students participated in the learning and sharing circle at Morley. The morning session was
presented v ia traditional storytelling style by Maskwacis Cultural College, President Patricia Goodwill
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, v irtual 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
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 11
Rainbow woman healing circle on September 9, 2014
Rainbow lady facilitating the circle for youth
25 youth and six elders participated in the circle. Rainbow lady shared her
personal story and v ictory over alcohol. Her persistence in pursuing her
education and then going back to her reserve to help her community.
In the afternoon a sharing circle was hosted with
the staff and 9 people participated. The message
was to take care of ourselves and have a balance
using the medicine wheel.
Healing Circle for college staff
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 12
Community members
participated in sharing and
healing occurred.
Representatives from schools,
literacy practitioners and
students came to observe this
process and apply in their work
env ironments and personal life.
“I learned that there are different forms of l iteracy – visual,
l iteracy in writing, speaking, etc. One example is how both my
parents were very fluent in the Cree language and it would
appear to me that they would have trouble with either
pronunciation of words or the sequence of how they would
form a sentence. For instance, how my father who was a fluent
Cree speaker would have to process the information (English)
from Cree and then back into English. This I learned was another
form of l iteracy, called the “Ancestral Language.” Also all
participants of the Literacy workshop were given a box full of
books to take back to our school and now I can use these books
to motivate our students to further develop their l iteracy skil ls. I
can even use these books as prizes, awards or a book bank. Our
junior high students peeked at the books and were excited.”
Al Wolfe participant from Maskwacis Wahkotowin Liaison, CB McMurdo School, Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools.
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 13
Marilyn Roan facilitated a talking circle about indigenous
parenting with the Early Childhood
Development class
23 youth/students participated in the learning and sharing
circle. The talking circle was facilitated by Marilyn Roan on
November 18, 2014. The participants were from the Early
Childhood Development (ECD) class. Ms. Roan brought the talking
circle artifacts and regalia she uses such as smudging, kokum and
talking stick.
The protocol for talking circle, circle of trust, conversation in
Cree language, talking sticks, first round of introductions, second
round was about indigenous, and wrap up by commenting or
sharing learning’s.
The participants learned about indigenous parenting plus moss bag teachings as shared by
elders. We also kept in mind safety such as moss bags and car seats. The youth learned about ethical
protocol and the right way to facilitate a talking circle. This technique and principles can be used for
trauma healing circles.
Facilitator Marilyn learning
advanced computer skills
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 14
Elders Wisdom Sharing Circle with youth as an
audience on January 21, 2015
12 elders and 25 youth participated in
the sharing circle. The elders
suggested participating in
ceremonies and more cultural
connections.
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 15
Elders told us to continue with the cultural component. Pipe ceremonies are important and
sacred. Elders put on the shoulders of parents to take their teachings home to speak in the
Cree language. The language is descript ive and teaching kinship is easy as each cross and
parallel relat ionship and connections between the families has a name and meaning. Elders
stressed the importance on modeling kindness and compassion values by parents as this will
inst ill the same values in our children.
Elders predicted the shortage of funding for education and praised the teachers for their
work and to keep up their motivation of doing the best for their children.
This session was in the Cree language and was recorded. This content will be used for
educational purposes. However there is a need for a Cree Interpreter t ranslator grant to
cover the cost of t ranslat ional into English language and for a technician to make it in a
digital format.
http://collegelibraryservices.blogspot.ca/2015/01/new -horizons-for-seniors-sharing-circle.html
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 16
Elders Family History and Community Sharing
Circle with active participation of youth on
March 11, 2015
Elder Marvin Littlechild is a member of the Ermineskin Cree First Nation in Alberta and
he facilitated the sharing circle. 25 students and two elders participated in the
Sharing Circle on March 11th from 11 am to 2 pm. The sharing circle was followed by a
lunch and community members were invited to share a meal and join in the
conversation. Table conversation was about kinship and tracing families which family
names such as Smallboy, Crier, Saddleback, Buffalo, Bull, and Wildcat. The teachings
of the elder were ‘conquer yourself and be bicultural’.
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 17
Story of Cree Place Names Presentation
The Story of Cree Place Names presentation by Bruce Cutknife on
October 8th, 2014. 15 community members including youth and
4 elders listened to this presentation. Naming of the Mountains,
rivers, cities are part of the environmental print and this helped in
learning the Cree language.
Bruce Cutknife is a member of the Samson Cree First Nation in
Maskwacis, Alberta. Bruce was born and raised on the Bear Hills
Maskwachees community with Cree as his first language. He
attended the Ermineskin Residential School up until grade 9 and then moved to Edmonton to attend
High School. Bruce started working in the Living History Program of the Maskwacis Cultural College in
1976. His duties included Audio and Video recording of Elders talking about local history. This involved
working with Elders to collect and archive the Cree language, work with the Cree Syllabics and use
them in the collection and archiv ing of local history.
Bruce is now the Indigenous Education Coordinator for the Nipisihkopahk Education Authority. Bruce
has worked on numerous projects related to Cree Culture and Cree History. These include Power
Point Presentations on the Cree Place Name Map, Condensed First Nation History Presentation and
the History of the Residential School. Bruce’s hobbies and other areas of interest include
photography, music, archery, travel, traditional music and dance.
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 18
Summer Students and Community BBQ
ATCO hosted a BBQ on July 16, 2014. Over 250 participated in the BBQ and
various learning stations. This was a social gathering organized by youth for
everyone in the community. This event served as a connecting bridge between
elders to youth in our community.
Elder Mary Moonias was our reading role model
and she encouraged students to read. 160 people
registered for the reading program.
Youth development: 15 youth worked at the library
during the summer for the reading program &
scanned old newspapers ‘Bear Hills’ donated by
Elder Marv in Littlechild in July of 2014.
http://www.slideshare.net/ManishaKhetarpal/summer-students-at-work-building-community-library-mcc-july-
152014
http://setuppubliclibrarywithfncommunity.blogspot.ca/2014/07/engaging-learning-opportunities-part-of.html
http://aboriginalsummerreading.blogspot.ca/2014/07/160-memebrs-of-maskwacis-community.html
Elder Mary Moonias encourages community to join the summer
reading program.
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 19
Community Barbeque: 11 partners mobilized $13,275
Community Leverage dollars Staff/volunteer Food Giveaway
ATCO $ 1,250.00 $ 1,000.00 $ 500.00 10 ATCO staff v olunteered for 5 hours x $25/hour
Urban systems $ 375.00 $ 100.00 $ 500.00 3 staff x 5 hours x $25/hour
Let's Talk Science experiments & supplies $ 500.00
$ 100.00 4 staff x 5 hours x $25/hour
APEGA $ 250.00
2 staff x 5 hours x $25/hour
Stony Plain Public Library $ 250.00
$100 2 staff x 5 hours x $25/hour
College staff $ 1,250.00
5 staff x 10 hours x $25/hour
Gords NoFrills
$100 Plastic bags
Save the Children Canada
$ 5,000.00 1000X$5/book
Youth of Maskwacis $ 2,000.00
20 summer studentsx4x$25/hour
Total: $13,275 $ 5,875.00 $ 1,100.00 $ 6,300.00 13,275.00
BBQ Partners: ATCO, Let's Talk Science, Uncle Jimmy, Stony Plain Public Library, Ur ban Systems, APEGA, Gord's
NoFrills, Save the Children Canada, Montana School, TDSRC, Maskwacis Summer student program, and New
Horizons For Seniors. Shown in the picture below is a senior from Stony Plain volunteering at the BBQ .
http://communicationsprogress.blogspot.ca/2014/07/librarys-second-annual-showcsae-on-july.html
http://setuppubliclibrarywithfncommunity.blogspot.ca/2014_07_01_archive.html
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 20
Elders as reading
role models
Samson: 79
Louis Bull: 23
Montana: 8
Ermineskin: 28
Other reserves such as Frog Lake, Saddle Lake,
Onion Lake, etc: 21
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 21
Youth learn about drumming from Elders
5 youth came and learned about drumming in the summer of 2014 from Jerry
Saddleback. Youth also learned traditional Cree songs.
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 22
Drop in Technology Tuesdays at the library
Approximately 40-45 sessions conducted/month for three months from
September to November 2014.
The drop in sessions were tailored to the needs of the learners and included
using the mouse, download the pictures from phone or camera, nav igating the
internet, software basics, Copyright free images, Infographics, etc.
Partnerships with initiatives to reach out to elders: Liv ing Library of Elder
interv iews, Nechi café prov iding foundational framework and Digital Learning
Institute.
New Horizons For Seniors 2014 -2015 Report for Maskwacis Community. Page 23
Digital reading for elders at the library
INDEX
Digital reading for elders at the library, page 23
Drop in Technology Tuesdays at the library, page 22
Elders Family History and Community Sharing Circle with active participation of youth on March 11, 2015 , page 16
Elders Wisdom Sharing Circle with youth as an audience on January 21, 2015, page 14
History learning and researching sharing circle on July 8, 2014 at Chiniki Learning Centre, Morley, page 10
Holistic approach to healing presentation by Rainbow Woman , page 4
Marilyn Roan facilitated a talking circle about indigenous parenting Early Childhood Development class , page 13
MP Blaine Calkins New Horizons for Seniors Gathering , page 3
New Horizons for seniors sharing circle on June 11, 2014 at Maskwacis Cultural College , page 7
Rainbow woman healing circle on September 9, 2014, page 11
Sharing Circle field trip by Grade 6 students from Samson school - Meyonohk School @ community library on
June 19, 2014, page 9
Sharing Circle for non-indigenous people on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, page 8
Sharing Circles Overview , page 6
Story of Cree Place Names Presentation, page 17
Summer Students and Community BBQ, page 18
Youth learn about drumming from Elders, page 21