“The Framework and Action Plan illustrate how Yukon First Nations are not just crucial partners but the best suited to govern education on their Traditional Territories.”
- Melissa Flynn, Executive Director FNSB
On November 1, 2023 the First Nation Education Commissions (FNEC) released We Are Our Language - a Framework and Action Plan that guide the revitalization of Yukon First Nations languages within Kindergarten to grade 12, The First Nation School Board will be leading this work in our 11 Yukon public schools.
Land and Language Learning Tools
Support for Educators and others to help bring culture, language and the land ‘into the classroom’ - or better yet, bring the classroom outside.
What’s On Your Drum?
This video, with FNSB Director, drum-maker, and drummer Erin Pauls explains that drums are used for ceremony and celebration, so we are always mindful of the love and intention put into making them.
Yukon First Nations drummers decorate their drums with representations of things closest to their hearts. “People paint something that is really meaningful to them, something that gives them good intentions in their heart and makes them feel happy,” Erin says. “That way we are surrounded with all that love whenever we use our drums.”
As a practice of gratitude and connection, offer your Learner a blank sheet of paper with a circle on it (representing the face of a drum). Ask them to draw their own drum design.
“We Are A Circle”
Grade 1 teacher at Grey Mountain Primary, Kathleen Coventry, wrote and choreographed a beautiful land acknowledgement song called “We are a Circle” that unites the school in its commitment to walking the path of reconciliation. The whole school now performs this song at all assemblies and other school events, using hand and body movements with each line. You are welcome to use this song and/or change it to suit your community.
WE ARE A CIRCLE
We are a circle
All connected
To each other
On this land
We are Grey Mountain
We’re the Yukon River
With every creature
Hand in hand
Ta’an Kwach’an Council
Kwanlin Dun First Nation
We say Thank You
You share your land
Shä̀w níthän and Kwä̀nä̀schis
Shä̀w níthän and Kwä̀nä̀schis
Shä̀w níthän and Kwä̀nä̀schis
We are a circle
We are a circle
We are a circle
Gwich’in Calendar
Seasonal Rounds
This is a sample of a Seasonal Round. The Yukon First Nation Education Directorate (YFNED) worked with partners to develop versions of this chart to reflect all regions of the Yukon. The chart displayed here is the version for the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations - Southern Tutchone.
Following work with the seasonal rounds, Charyl Charlie - Land and Language Connector for Chief Zzeh Gittlit School in Old Crow – wanted to create a resource that brings that information to people in a form they can use every day.
“I can just wake up in the morning and look at the calendar and see Arnica. This is the season to harvest arnica and this is what it is used for,” Charyl demonstrates as an example. “The trick was to pull it all together and also to connect people with the books that are being developed on their behalf. Like booklets on traditional medicines by Elders. They have been developed as a valuable resource with valuable information.”
By compiling all of this information and putting it into a tool that is quick and easy to use, Charyl is confident that people will get more from their time on the land. It’s more than just getting an animal and having meat. Charyl says she has one story that really stuck with her because it illustrates how all the different types of harvest the land offers work together to keep us healthy.
“When I would visit with Grandma Mary Netro, she would tell me stories about her time on the land. Being a part of hunting parties that would allow the group to work together and celebrate the harvest by sharing a big meal together and at this time, they would not only eat plenty of vadzaii (caribou) but they would also complete the meal with cranberries which we all know has a valuable source of antibacterial properties and is rich in antioxidants. Harvesting and using all that was available to our people in season is who we are as Gwich’in.”
Every season of the year is connected to harvest. “Our whole life is based on harvesting - the whole year round,” said Charyl. “And everything that is harvested is used for something. So rabbit is used for food but then the fur is dried and turned inside out for inside your boots or mitts.”
This calendar will allow the community to track their harvest, learn more about what can be harvested, and processed, and will ultimately contribute to traditional wellness for the community and school setting.
*Note: as more Land and Language Connectors join the FNSB team, Charyl will work with them to develop calendars like this for their traditional territories.