Shalayna Stonjeck
BEd/BSc
Student Teacher
Applying Foundational Knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit
TQS # 5: A teacher develops and applies foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit for the benefit of all students.
2022
Smudging with David Restoule (Eagle Who Sees Far)
Attending this professional development session conducted by the indigenous support specialist at the Medicine Hat college gave me great insight to the medicinal and spiritual practices of First Nations and Indigenous Peoples.
David described the significance of smudging and much of the oral history it is based upon. When I participated in the smudging, it allowed me to not only understand the FMNI perspective but it also helped me balance my positive and negative energies, as is the traditional use of this practice
Participating in First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultural practices allows me to demonstrate my ability to acquire and apply indigenous perspective within education.
Digital Learning Plan:
Grade 8 Science
Incorporating the Indigenous names for animals can help remind the students that we learn while standing on stolen treaty land.
2024
I designed a lesson based on oral communication learning outcomes that centered around two different FNMI legends. Students were tasked with using oral language to communicate the events of the story to their peers
Students were then tasked with completing a chart that discussed the benefits challenges and of oral histories. The first activity acted as a a bridge of knowledge bewteen a conceptual understanding of oral traditions, into something the students could learn about through "doing" or taking part in the oral communication of an indigenous legend.
2025
​ During the Plants for Food and Fibre unit, I designed a lesson for the grade 7s to understand and appreciated the ways the Indigenous Peoples of Canada use plants. We discussed spiritual practice that use plants like sage, and also discussed the use of plant fibres for clothing tools, canoes and snowshoes. Lastly we discussed indigenous foods made from plants such as Mnoomin, Saskastoon Berries and Bannock (Cooked using wheat flour). After this discussion, I read the picture book "The Gift of Mnoomin" to my students before bring some of the food in for them to try. I spent the entire evening the night before, cooking Mnoomin and Bannock with my mom!
