Tuesday, April 13, 2010

5 Free Educational Interactive Websites with an Aboriginal Focus

Are you looking for innovative ways to connect your students to Aboriginal culture and history?

While creating On the Path of the Elders, we found a surprising lack of interactive online resources for educators trying to integrate Aboriginal content into the classroom.

While there are numerous excellent websites devoted to providing information about various issues relating to First Nations, few sites try to engage directly with Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal youths.

So, to save you from further frustration, here are 5 quality resources to get you started in your search:




1)  On the Path of the Elders  (PathoftheElders.com)

A graphically sophisticated site (and this blog's namesake), PathoftheElders.com immerses you in the culture and history of the Mushkegowuk Cree and Anishinaabe Ojibway of Northwestern and Northeastern Canada.

An innovative role-playing game lets you experience a variety of cultural practices while learning traditional skills and values: you can hunt a bull moose, learn about medicinal plants, ride in a canoe, lay trap lines, and renegotiate Treaty no. 9 (James Bay Treaty).

Furthermore, this comprehensive site features a number of rich historical resources, including video and audio clips of interviews with Elders, an essay on Treaty No. 9 written from an Aboriginal perspective, an interactive treaty map, and archival photographs.

PathoftheElders.com includes downloadable Teachers’ Guides for grades 4-10.
 

2)  FourDirectionsTeachings  (www.fourdirectionsteachings.com)

FourDirectionsTeachings.com is a visually captivating celebration of First Nations’ oral traditions. 

You can listen to a diverse array of audio narratives from five indigenous cultures: Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibway, Mohawk, and M’ikmaq. The narratives are enhanced by engaging animations that vary in style and format. Written transcripts are also provided, and the narrators' full biographies are available.

FourDirectionsTeachings.com includes a downloadable Teacher’s Resource kit divided into three learning groups: Junior (grades 1-6), Intermediate (grades 7-9), and Senior (grades 10-12).


3)  Native Drums  (http://www.native-drums.ca/)


As its name suggests, Native Drums is a wide-ranging site devoted to exploring First Nations’ music and culture.

This easy-to-navigate website features interviews with Aboriginal musicians, detailed explanations and pictures of a variety of Aboriginal drums, a gallery of masks from the Pacific Northwest cultures, and a wide array of myths and stories. By tracing the significance of the drum through various Aboriginal societies throughout Canada, Native Drums provides an engaging and unique exploration of First Peoples’ traditions and cultures.

Native-drums.ca includes downloadable Teachers’ Resources for grades 9-12.
 


4)  Native Dance  (http://www.native-dance.ca/)

A sister site to Native Drums, Native Dance is a comprehensive examination of First Nations’ dance traditions from various regions all over Canada.

In addition to browsing through a large collection of pictures and reading in-depth interviews and articles about different dances’ historical and cultural significance, you can watch over 100 videos of regional dances. Eight Aboriginal cultures are featured, including the Mi’kmaq, Innu, Algonquin, Eeyou, Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, Dene, and Kwakwaka’wakw.

Native-dance.ca includes downloadable Teachers’ Resources for grades K-12.


5)  Dust Echoes  

http://www.abc.net.au/dustechoes/

Unlike the previous four websites, Dust Echoes does not have Canadian content. However, it is worth checking out its series of beautifully crafted animations that depict 12 Australian Aboriginal narratives.

Not only can you watch these twelve depictions of traditional oral narratives, but you also have the option of creating your own one-minute versions of the stories. Each narrative is accompanied by a study guide, online quiz, and glossary.

While less comprehensive than the other resources, Dust Echoes is an excellent introduction for discussing different Aboriginal cultures with young children.


Do you know of other resources you would like to share?

Collette Jackson, Content and Marketing Specialist at BlackCherry Digital Media, is writing on behalf of On the Path of the Elders, a free online educational resource that explores Cree and Ojibway history and culture, and the signing of Treaty No. 9.

Check out On the Path of the Elders at pathoftheelders.com.

For more information, email us at info@pathoftheelders.com

Created in partnership with BlackCherry Digital Media, Archives Deschâtelets, the Doug Ellis Collection at Carleton University, Our Incredible World (Pinegrove Productions), the Mushkegowuk Council, Neh Naak Ko, the Archives of St. Paul University, Carleton University, and Wendy Campbell, Educational Consultant (Learning Methods Group).

This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy. Created with additional financial assistance from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the Inukshuk Fund.

13 comments:

  1. Trekking Guide team adventure Pvt. Ltd offer you Nepal has the largest share of the highest peak in the world , of the 14 peaks over 8,000 meter known as the eight thousanders , eight of them lie in the Himalayas of Nepal, these include the worlds highest mountain . mt: Everest ( 8,848m,)
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    ReplyDelete
  2. 4. Everest Base Camp
    Everest has always been the desirable name among all the people around the world,mostly the adventure lovers. To reach at an altitude of 8,848m isnot an easy task, it requires a lot of hard effort and dedication. It can be the greatest achievement in one’s life, overcoming the fear of the harshness of the nature. Mount Everest is also known as Chomolongma which resembles the meaning as a mother earth. Everest was successfully conquered byEdmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in the year 1953 for the first time. Following the same route discovered by them thousands of travelers each make an attempt to conquer the highest peak of the world anually. Though some of them became successful wherease some lost their life.

    Itinerary:
    Day 01: Fly Kathmandu to Lukla (2849m) & trek to Phakding (2745m)
    Day 02: Trek to Namche (3445m)
    Day 03: Rest Day at Namche Bazaar (Hiking to Everest View Hotel)
    Day 04: Trek to Tengboche (4245m)
    Day 05: Trek to Pheriche (4362m)
    Day 06: Pheriche Rest Day.
    Day 07: Trek to Lobuche (4575m)
    Day 08: Trek to Gorakshape (5165m)
    Day 09: Rest Day at Kalapathar (5545m).
    Day 10: Trek to Dingboche (4260m).
    Day 11: Trek to Tengboche (4245m)
    Day 12: Trek to Namche Bazaar.
    Day 13: Trek to Lukla
    Day 14: Fly back Lukla to Kathmandu

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  3. Manaslu Trek Itinerary – 14 days

    The manaslu trek on od the popular trekking trail in Nepal the trek start from Arughat to wherever the jeeps can reach above Besisahar takes around 14 to 16 days depend on you walking days, but can be done more quickly, or more slowly (better), and with side trips to Tsum Valley, from even continuing to Himalaya Trail. Itineraries are totally up to you, but here is something to get started with.
    Day Walking time Altitude Accommodation
    1 6h (Drive) KTM -> ArughatMany good lodges here
    2 5h Arughat – Soti Khola (or Arket), basic lodges G.H. & ABC G.H.
    3 5h Soti Khola – Machha Khola, good lodges here
    4 6h Machha Khola – Jagat, good lodge (25 rooms, 50 pax) 1440 Jagat Guest House.
    5 6h Jagat – Deng, good lodge (20 rooms, 40 pax)
    6 6h Deng – Namrung, reasonable lodges 2560
    7 4h Namrung – Shyala, basic lodge (or Lho, reasonable)
    8 2h Shyala – Samagaon, good lodges. Optional rest day in Sama – Manaslu Basecamp excursion. 3500
    .
    9 4h Sama – Samdo, via Manaslu Basecamp, reasonable lodges in Samdo 3800
    10 4h Samdo – Larkye Phedi, good lodge now (60 pax) 4460
    11 8h Larkye Phedi – Bimthang, good lodges 3700
    12 6h Bimthang – Tilje, good lodges 2300
    13 6h Tilje – Sirichaur, good lodges 1150 s.
    14 6h (Drive) Sirichaur – Besisahar – KTM

    On this itinerary you can save one day of acclimatization on either days 8 or 10. And obviously you can add extra days for rest, or make half days to stay in different villages.

    Larkya peak, Panbari, Samdo Himal, Nirekha, Saula, Khayang and other peaks can be climbed.
    Do visit Manaslu basecamp and the Manaslu glacier which is incredible up close.
    Wonder what Tibet is like? You can gaze into Tibet from the border point which is short trek from Samdo.
    Ancient Gompas along the trail. Not big but often frequented by Rinpoches due to the relative accessibility of Nubri Valley.
    From Larkya La you can see four glaciers converging above amazing views to Lamjung Himal and the Annapurnas.
    It sounds cliché, but Manaslu is an authentic, Nepali trekking experience. It really is like the Annapurna Circuit way back when

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    Nepal Planet Treks & Expedition P. Ltd
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    P.O. Box=4453 Kathmandu Nepal

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ghorepani we descend for the beautiful Gurung (name of a tribe) village of
    Ghandruk on the lap of the Annapurna’s. The village is known for its traditional
    houses, rich culture and the great landscape. Walking down through the innumerable
    steps we make a loop at Birethanti and 1000m catch our vehicle for Pokhara at
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    ReplyDelete
  5. We did a 13 days trek in the Manaslu Circuit; it was just a fantastic experience. Thanks to Nepal Planet Treks and our guide Sanjib, all was well organized. Manaslu Trek is amazing, the landscape is nicer every day and you feel so proud when you cross the LarkeyPass at 5160 m. It will stay one of our best memories of our 9 months trip!
    Thanks Sanjib and Thanks Nepal Planet Treks! We will contact you when we will come back to Nepal to do trekking.

    Visited April 2016

    ReplyDelete
  6. We did a 13 days trek in the Manaslu Circuit; it was just a fantastic experience. Thanks to Nepal Planet Treks and our guide Sanjib, all was well organized. Manaslu Trek is amazing, the landscape is nicer every day and you feel so proud when you cross the LarkeyPass at 5160 m. It will stay one of our best memories of our 9 months trip!
    Thanks Sanjib and Thanks Nepal Planet Treks! We will contact you when we will come back to Nepal to do trekking.

    Visited April 2016

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. http://www.nepalguideinfo.com/manaslu-circuit-trekking/

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  10. Everest base camp trek is most popular trekking trail in the world. It offers a wonderful Himalayan view with rich Sherpa culture. Sherpas are world's famous for Everest expedition. You can explore legend climber Edmond Hillary path today too.
    If you are an adventurer people you have to go for Everest base camp trek for your life experience. You can get into world's most beautiful Himalayan region. You can learn lot about struggle and toleration. You can't do it without toleration.
    Today, there are many local trekking agencies in Nepal to help you to bring world’s highest base camp. Comparatively, local trekking agencies are far cheaper than international companies. Anyway, Everest base camp is the dream destination for million people. And trekking in Nepal is most popular activities all the time. This pristine Nepal always welcomes you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Why do you like to select Everest Base Camp Trek?
    The Everest Base Camp Trek is one
    among the foremost illustrious trekking adventures within the world. It’s

    a grand journey that takes trekkers from the low-lying hills of Nepal to

    the bottom Everest Base Camp Trek of the world’s tallest crown. It’s of

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    visit Nepal to endure this exploit. The trek’s quality is additionally

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    options that capture the verify the essence of Nepal’s range of mountains

    life and topography. From the made Sherpa culture to the cerulean shadows

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    that you just mustn't miss out on! Here is a unit high of seven reasons

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    Best Thing to do Everest Base Camp Trek?
    Many of you will suppose that Mt. Everest Base Camp Trek
    is simply a trek wherever you keep company with a tent and reach the

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    your thinking. Besides, there is a unit of various different things that

    one will do and collect experiences and
    recollections.Everest Base Camp is that the finish place of the EBC Trek.

    There is a unit, several different teams, preparing for the Mt. Everest
    Expedition. You’ll be able to visit the realm around the Base Camp and

    meet many folks from around the world with totally different

    nationalities and share the expertise that you just have collected

    whereas reaching the bottom Camp. Similarly, with the recent occasional,

    one will fancy observance the avalanches returning down the mountains
    and consider the mountain chain ranges.Everest Base Camp area Explore Sherpa repository Bordered by

    Mount Thamserku within the east of Namche, there's Sherpa repository

    additionally known as Sagarmatha park repository. You’ll be able to

    explore the repository and take the image of a freshly created sculpture

    of adult. many of trekkers are the thing for Mani
    Rindu Festival too. because of that festival ceremony at Tengboche

    Monastery and for a week. The Tengboche
    The monastery is Biggest and old gompas in the Khumbu region. the Route

    is On the of Everest Base Camp Trek. from Tengboche
    also can see Mt Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Amadablam and Thamserku him. so

    if have a chance in your life try to be
    there once and get your holidays in Nepal.

    ReplyDelete