This project is part of the February 2021 Textbook Success Program cohort.
The Manitoba Foundations Group, community members, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and other community stakeholders, is leading the adaptation of the Pulling Together: Foundations Guide in collaboration with Assiniboine Community College, Brandon University, and Campus Manitoba. The adapted version of the Foundations Guide will provide a starting point for those who want to learn more about Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba and those who wish to begin their journey of understanding Canada’s colonial legacy.
We hope that readers take their learning off the page, as deeper understanding is experienced when readers thoughtfully engage in the activities that go beyond the resource itself.
The Foundations Guide eloquently explains the metaphor of pulling together:
“The canoe holds Indigenous Peoples and the key people in post-secondary education whose roles support, lead, and build Indigenization. Our combined strengths give us balance and the ability to steer and paddle in unison as we sit side by side. The paddles are the open resources. As we learn to pull together, we understand that our shared knowledge makes us stronger and makes us one.” (Foundations Guide, pg. ix)
This adaptation is the work of many communities in Manitoba ‘pulling together’ to localize the knowledge shared within the resource. The adaptation is set to be complete by summer 2021 to align with National Indigenous Peoples Day, on June 21.
About the Guide
Pulling Together: Foundations Guide is part of a professional learning series, from BCcampus, the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, and a Steering Committee of Indigenous education leaders, designed for post-secondary staff on their journeys of understanding Canada’s colonial legacy and to begin or supplement ways to Indigenize their institution. The guide is broken into three sections:
- Section 1: Introduction to Indigenous Peoples
- Section 2: Colonization
- Section 3: Decolonization
Throughout the guide, readers are introduced to the diversity within Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba and throughout Canada, while bringing awareness to the past and present realities for First Nations people, Métis, and Inuit groups. Our adaptation will build off the Foundations Guide and localize the knowledge within the resource to Manitoba. We hope that readers take their learning off the page, as deeper understanding is experienced when readers thoughtfully engage in the activities that go beyond the resource itself.
Behind Manitoba’s Foundations Group
The Manitoba Foundations Group has two working committees: The smaller working group is responsible for breaking down sections of the book that need to be adapted and guiding the larger group through facilitated discussions. The larger group is made up of Elders, community members and Knowledge Keepers who provide feedback, localize stories, and elicit insights from others in their community to accurately reflect the Manitoba region. The collaboration, dialogue, and flexibility from both the smaller and larger working group has created many rich and meaningful discussions on ways in which we can all ‘pull together.’
This adaptation will be filled with learning opportunities for readers, both on and off the page. Please note that this guide is not a definitive resource, as First Nations, Metis, and Inuit perspectives, stories, and approaches are very diverse across Turtle Island, a term referring to the continent of North America.
We encourage you to follow the project homepage and stay tuned for updates on the Manitoba adaptation of Pulling Together: Foundations Guide.