Learning Indigenous Science from Place - Research Study Examining Indigenous-Based Science Perspectives in Saskatchewan First Nations

The overall goal of the project was to investigate the inclusion of First Nations and Métis perspectives in the Saskatchewan school science curriculum as a way to improve the achievement levels of Aboriginal students. [...] Learning Indigenous Science from Place Page 11 Goals of the Study The underlying goals of the study include the following: • To explore the concept of Indigenous-based science education from the perspectives and experiences of teachers, Elders and other community members in First Nations and Métis community contexts in Saskatchewan; • To highlight best approaches, processes, and content used in Fi. [...] Parents, grandparents, and elders told and retold stories and legends to the children by the campfires, in the teepees, on the hillsides, in the forest, and at special gatherings during the day and at night. [...] 4) Principles and Guidelines for Indian and Métis Curriculum Development offers recommendations for curriculum development and states: “Improvements to the education of Indian and Métis students are Learning Indigenous Science from Place Page 23 dependent upon the changes in the processes of development, the instructional approaches taken, and the presentation and representation of curricula and m. [...] The curriculum places a considerable emphasis on the teacher to facilitate the inclusion of Indian and Métis content and perspectives: Science 10 “capitalizes on the responsibility and authority of teachers to adapt instruction in order to be responsive to the interests and needs of their students and local communities, while still respecting the foundational and related learning objectives” (p.