Website Helps Teachers Add Aboriginal Content

Website Helps Teachers Add Aboriginal Content

Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 12:50

 

 

A retired math professor is developing a website for teachers to include Aboriginal content in their lesson plans.

 

Harley Weston, with the University of Regina, is developing a new website called ‘Aboriginal Perspectives’, to help teachers bring Aboriginal culture into the classroom.

 

He will be videotaping a teepee raising on Thursday evening at the First Nations University in Regina.

 

Weston sees the use of math in almost every aspect of the teepee — from the teepee’s shape to the way it is raised.

 

He’s working on a video project that will make this information available to elementary teachers in the province.

 

Weston says incorporating videotaped footage into the material gives the project more of a holistic approach, which is in line with Aboriginal teachings.

 

Jessica Wesaquate is one of Weston’s research assistants, and she’s studying to be a teacher.

 

Wesaquate says the website will help her educate both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students about Aboriginal culture.

 

The lesson plans are based on activities such as aboriginal art, traditional dances and teepees.