The Actua network is committed to ensure that ALL instructors are provided training to develop an understanding of Indigenous cultures and diverse knowledge systems. The training is for all instructors; not just those who are engaging in Indigenous communities directly. As a network, we support Canada's Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls To Action and the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

To learn more about UNDRIP, Article 14 and 15 - review the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

To learn more about the Calls to Action, #62 - 65 review the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

To learn more about Canada’s progress on completing the Calls to Action check in with Indigenous Watchdog, a registered non-profit organization that monitors and reports on the advancement of reconciliation nationally. 

To support our Network Members in facilitating training with their staff, Actua offers an instructor training resource in Indigenous Worldviews. The training you are about to receive should amplify your ability to effectively engage ALL youth, including more experience to effectively engage Indigenous youth. As a result, this training is an example that Actua is a unique experience for youth and also welcomes you into the network of undergraduate students who understand the impact of an “Actua Experience.”

Training for a STEM Outreach instructor includes classroom management, laboratory safety, first aid, WHMIS, etc. but by completing this module, you will come to recognize the critical importance of Indigenous Worldviews and STEM. You will also become aware of the development of your own transferable skills and how these future skills will allow you to truly engage effectively with others.

Indigenous Peoples in Canada have distinct cultures, languages, governance systems, and worldviews. There are over 634 First Nations communities, eight Métis Nations, Settlements, five political organizations, four Inuit regions comprising 51 Inuit communities, and urban Indigenous populations in all major cities. Therefore, we have created this model with the knowledge that it is not fully representative of the specific cultural practices and processes that are unique to individual First Nations, Inuit and Métis and other communities. We encourage each network member to engage with local Indigenous training to ensure local cultural relevance of all Indigenous outreach programming. 

Turtle Island comes from an Algonquian creation story, but many Indigenous Nations have their own creation stories that reflect their unique relationships to land, water, and place. Despite this diversity, many Indigenous Nations call the earth their mother, and feel a duty to honour and respect the land. Interested in learning more about creation stories? You can find two videos here.

Video: Turtle Lodge - Episode 1: The Creation Story | The Seven Sacred (First Nation) Laws (4:02)

Video: Sedna: Goddess of the Sea as told by Deantha Edmunds in Tors Cove, (Inuit) NL (6:39)

The outline for this course is as follows. There are estimated time breakdowns for each section of the module - it may take participants varied time to complete reflection questions and/or other activities. We hope this course supports your understanding of Indigenous Worldviews as well as practices and frameworks for enhancing your role in programming. 

1. Introduction - 15 minutes
2. Indigenous Worldviews  - 30 minutes
3. We Are All Treaty People - 25 minutes
4. Indigenous People and STEM - 30 minutes
5. Actua’s InSTEM Program - 20 minutes
6. Learning Summary and Reflection - 15 minutes

• Understand and apply a systems model of Indigenous Worldviews
• Understand that all of Canada is on Indigenous People’s traditional territory and that we have a duty to work towards truth and reconciliation 
• Recognize that the land and the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual connections to it is central to Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Peoples
• Indigenous Peoples have always had STEM knowledge and continue to contribute and practice it in the present day.  
• Understand and apply elements of Actua's Indigenous Youth in STEM Program (InSTEM) Model

While the key purpose of this training module is to help you to understand Indigenous Worldviews and support you as a STEM program instructor, this module also works to strengthen many Future Skills. These are valuable, transferable skills that can support you in future career readiness. It is important to recognize where these skills can be identified and developed through training and in your work experience as an instructor.

The future skills for this module are:

• Teamwork and Collaboration

In thinking about the dynamic nature of Indigenous cultures, instructors will explore ways to work collectively with others and understand the value of diverse ways of knowing.

• Communication

Throughout this module instructors have opportunities to read, learn and respond to reflection questions in your own words.

• Adaptability and Flexibility

This training module speaks to the adaptable and flexible inherent nature of Indigenous communities. Instructors can learn from Indigenous perspectives and approaches to adaptability and flexibility while also gaining strategies for delivering great STEM content and being adaptable and flexible in other personal contexts.

• Building Networks

The collaborative and community-centric nature of Indigenous cultures is important to all InSTEM programming and STEM programming across the board. This module speaks to the value and need for building networks and establishing and maintaining strong trusting relationships with Indigenous communities.

• Self-Awareness

In this module instructors get a brief introduction to Canada’s historical relationship with Indigenous peoples and can develop an understanding that we are all Treaty People, this is followed by discussion and reflection questions to help support the development of a self-awareness skillset.