Learning never stops: Exploring, learning & doing our best for Canadians
Edition #8
Working from home without access to the departmental network?
Have no fear, eLearning@ESDC is here!
With a variety of eLearning options that allow you to explore First Nations, Inuit and Métis histories in honour of Indigenous Awareness Week.
NEW learning recommendations every week!
eLearning@ESDC
If you find yourself working from home with no access to the departmental network, have no fear because eLearning@ESDC is here!
During these challenging and uncertain times, you can rely on this weekly learning newsletter to connect ESDC learners—like you!—with meaningful learning.
Each weekly edition of eLearning@ESDC focuses on a departmental learning priority. This week’s theme honours Indigenous Awareness Week (IAW)—May 19 to 22, 2020—which was first introduced as a public service event in 1992 to help increase awareness about Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Normally, ESDC employees celebrate Indigenous Awareness Week with a variety of in-person events. This year, for the well-being of employees, in-person IAW events will take place once we're back to regular business operations.
As we continue to work virtually, what better time for you to explore the diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis histories to advance Reconciliation and strengthen your intercultural competency, awareness, and sensitivity? Take advantage of the eLearning opportunities available to you on Saba, GCcampus and through other providers... all available both on and off of the departmental network!
Did You Know?
The healing jingle dress dance was first developed during the 1919 Spanish flu pandemic? According to Professor Brenda Child of the University of Minnesota, the dress and related dance came in a vision to a father of a critically ill daughter and helped bring her back to health.
This is why, lately, there have been a number of women and girls performing the jingle dress dance (Facebook is temporarily unavailable on the network) on social media platforms to promote health during the pandemic. Learn more about the jingle dress and dance.
When schools closed in Arviat, Nunavut, due to the current pandemic, the Young Hunters Program decided to use the opportunity to continue to teach youth about traditional ways. Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or the Inuit way of knowing, ato pass on knowledge, provide food for the immediate community and also allow youth a safe way to connect to the land and healing by isolating “as a pod [on longer land journeys]; it’s isolation without isolation.”
Learn more about Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
Did you know that the Nehiyaw (Cree) and Michif (Métis) worldview concept of wâhkôhtowin—"love thy neighbour on steroids" as Cree-Métis scholar Dr. Jesse Thistle describes it—is a helpful way to cope with the isolation of social distancing during the current pandemic?
Learn more about wâhkôhtowin, the view that all things are interconnected.
This Week's Top 5
In recent weeks, our attention has been focussed on the pandemic and responding to Canadians’ needs, but crises such as these remind us how important it is to have a strong understanding of the people we work with and serve every day.
Even if you’ve completed your Indigenous Awareness learning mandatory training requirement, take advantage of our Top 5 eLearning recommendations, designed to support you in working more effectively alongside and serving Indigenous Peoples and communities:
- National Indigenous History Month – The Hunt for Métis Justice with Métis Elder Tony Belcourt (ID: 00037042)
- Indigenous Peoples in Canada: an overview (recorded Jeannette Fraser webcast) (ID: 00015665)
- Building on Differences – A conference by Serge Bouchard (ID: 00018359)
- The history and legacy of residential schools and reconciliation (ID: 00011567)
- Treaties 101 Workshop with Jean-Pierre Morin (00057457)
Looking For More Learning?
Saba (ESDC) & GCcampus (CSPS) offer a wide variety of learning opportunities, available to you from on and off of the ESDC network. Search “Indigenous Awareness” in Saba and visit the Indigenous Learning Series on GCcampus to find additional learning that best meets your needs.
Other resources
- Indigenous Perspectives podcasts: Ever wonder how it feels to be an Indigenous in the Public Service? Check out this podcast series.
- Educational Playlists: Never underestimate the power of learning through the National Film Board of Canada. Learn more from films that highlight different Indigenous communities across the country.
Guess What?
- June is National Indigenous History Month. We will be coming back to you with more learning opportunities so keep your eyes peeled for more information in an upcoming edition!
- You can follow events around the country celebrating Indigenous Awareness Week on Twitter through @GCIndigenous.
On a Personal Note... from Indigenous Perspectives Champions Sylvie Bérubé and Karl Carisse:
Indigenous Awareness Week is an important opportunity for public servants to deepen their understanding of First Nations, Inuit and Métis perspectives, history and culture. It is a time ESDC celebrates with great pride the valuable contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis employees, communities and partners.
Normally, IAW takes place with in-person events following the Victoria Day long weekend in May. As most of us will continue to work remotely during IAW this year, the in-person celebrations will take place once we're back to regular business operations.
In the meantime, we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities suggested throughout the bulletin to continue your personal learning journey, and consider joining the Indigenous Employees’ Circle (Facebook is temporarily unavailable on the network) Facebook page to participate in other virtual activities.
If you have any questions, the best way to reach the College@ESDC is to send an email to the College GD Mailbox at nc-college-gd@servicecanada.gc.ca.