Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #08-235
September 26, 2008
Grade 5 First Nations Curriculum Materials Released
WHITEHORSE - The Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of new curriculum materials, Yukon First Nations 5 , which covers four themes: Yukon First Nations Languages, Clans, Citizenship and Governance, and will be used in all Yukon Grade 5 Social Studies classes this year.
"Developing Yukon First Nations 5 is part of our commitment to develop locally and culturally relevant courses of study for all Yukon students to enjoy," Minister of Education Patrick Rouble said. "It also reflects the positive things we can accomplish when we work in partnership with First Nations."
Yukon First Nations have been partners from the very beginning of this project. The project's Curriculum Working Group members represent each of the Yukon First Nations language groups. In addition, elders, the Yukon Chiefs Committee on Education, the Yukon First Nations Education Advisory Committee and the Yukon Native Language Centre were also contributors.
"It is encouraging to see after all these years that we are all starting to work together, that the whole education system is working together to learn about the northern part of the world. When land claims started, it was important to teach our way of learning, to build the native way of teaching into the education system, too," Tlingit Elder Sam Johnston, a member of the Curriculum Working Group, said. "This will teach our young people to be good listeners and respectful of our teachers. It will help them learn about themselves and their environment."
Yukon First Nations 5 is an authorized component of the Grade 5 Social Studies program in Yukon. It has three goals: to help understand and appreciate the role of traditional Yukon First Nations governance; to help students find balance within, in order to live peacefully and respectfully with themselves, one another and the land; and to help students demonstrate respect for Yukon First Nations languages and culture.
The mandate of the First Nations Programs and Partnerships Unit is to build productive relationships with First Nations; improve the results of First Nation students in the K-12 system; work toward increased levels of cultural inclusion in Yukon schools; and provide direct and indirect support to Yukon First Nations, schools and the Department of Education.
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| Contact: | |
| Matthew Grant Cabinet Communications 867-633-7961 matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca |
Michele Royle Communications, Education 867-393-7102 michele.royle@gov.yk.ca |