Early Years Learning Through a First Nations Lens

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A few months ago I had the opportunity to visit the Dene First Nation community of NDilo in the Northwest Territories.  I was inspired to visit the local school – K’Alemi Dene School because of the unique heritage of its community.  I was curious to learn more about how this community, its teachers and students took the provincial Kindergarten curriculum document –  The NWT Integrated Kindergarten Curriculum: A Holistic Approach to Children’s Early Learning, and made it their own.  I had the opportunity to chat with the kindergarten teachers and students about their learning program as well as tour the school.  Below are a few of my favourite photographs from my school tour which capture the unique heritage of the students at K’Alemi Dene School.  I hope you enjoy them!

Welcome sign for Ndilo Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
Welcome to NDilo!

 

Outdoor walkway beside a building with a pergola overhead and autumn foliage.
The outside of K’Alemi Dene School.  The wood structure and many windows add a natural element to the school’s exterior.

 

Modern library lounge with seating and large windows.
The main foyer of the school. The first thing I noticed was the natural elements such as wood, natural light and bedrock inside the school. This space feels incredibly calm and is often used as a workspace by groups of students.

 

A library interior with a motivational wisdom quote on the wall.
The schools’ mission statement.  It celebrates the Dene heritage of students and places an emphasis on community relationships.

 

Decorative white boots with blue floral embroidery in a wooden display case.
Community donated artefacts honour the unique heritage of students at K’Alemi Dene School.

 

A rustic log cabin interior with wooden furniture and a stone fireplace.
The main foyer display to welcome staff, students and visitors. All artefacts in the display are created by elders in the community and are connected to the traditions practiced in NDilo.  Each artefact has a dual language description to honour the bicultural heritage of students and the community.

 

Two vibrant paintings of snowy landscapes with colorful sunsets and silhouettes of trees.
Local artists are brought in to teach students about mediums such as sketching and painting.

 

Three colorful paintings displayed on a wooden shelf against a light wall.
Student artwork displayed in the main hallway. Using the tops of lockers is such a clever  idea!

 

A book, a wooden paddle, and a small carved object on a wooden surface.
This birchbark canoe was built by students with the help of community elders. It now hangs in the main foyer of the school.

 

A circular Indigenous medicine wheel with four colored quadrants and animal motifs.
Kindergarten classroom details.

 

Close-up of a delicious golden-brown crispy pancake with a colorful border.
An example of the dual language texts throughout the school. This is posted in the kindergarten classroom.

 

My visit to K’Alemi Dene School left me incredibly inspired by the school’s commitment to creating a natural space by its design and inclusion of materials such as bedrock, birch and attention to natural light. The close relationship between elders in the community and the school is evident through the many meaningful learning experiences for students of all grades such as canoe building, learning about traditional arts and outdoor education.  My biggest takeaway from visiting NDilo and K’Alemi Dene School was the importance of making the diversity and culture of our students visible through artefacts, learning experiences and everyday conversations. Learning about education in our North was such a eye opening experience, and left me incredibly excited to get back into the classroom in a few short months!

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