Over 70% of foster children in the Edmonton Region and over 90% of foster children in the Central Region come from Indigenous cultures.
Integration in this vibrant community is essential to children and families of Indigenous descent. The connection to cultural tradition and community shapes the future of Indigenous people in Alberta.
As such, ensuring that children are involved in their community, no matter where they are being cared for, is a priority for our families.
Kiskinowâpamêw means ‘they learn by watching’ in Cree. Children integrate skills and develop pride in themselves and their culture by watching their parents, teachers, and Elders engage in positive activities. Positive Indigenous role models aid children in learning to release a negative past and replace it with a range of possibilities for a successful future.
This is what Kiskinowâpamêw is all about.
First Peoples have lived close to the land for thousands of years, and in turn, the land shaped their cultures, cultivating beliefs, values, and their sense of community. Though each Indigenous nation is unique, there are underlying beliefs that they have in common, specifically in their ties to the natural world.
Indigenous people in Alberta are rich in culture – from the northern Dene, to the Woodland Cree, the Blackfoot, and the Metis all throughout Alberta.
Resources:
Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
Bent Arrow’s mission remains to “build on the strengths of Aboriginal children, youth, and their families to enable them to develop spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally so they can walk proudly in both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.” Programs and Services range from youth employment programs and comprehensive family services to supported referrals and soup and bannock lunches.
Canadian Native Friendship Centre (CNFC)
The CNFC was originally organized to help Indigenous newcomers to the city with referral services and social and recreational programs. Today, the Centre continues to provide cultural, recreational and social programming. They serve approximately 10,000 people annually through various programs, services and functions.
University of Alberta: Online Course
Indigenous Canada is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Indigenous Canada is for students from faculties outside the Faculty of Native Studies with an interest in acquiring a basic familiarity with Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relationships. Audit the course for free!
Aboriginal People of Alberta: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow
Guide to Indigenous Organizations and Services in Alberta
Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Centre Virtual Library
Edmonton Public Library: Indigenous Resources and Events
Indigenous Thought Leaders series brought to you by ALIGN.
Includes four short videos outlining Indigenous protocols for some basic scenarios that our foster families may encounter – approaching an elder, ceremonies, smudging, and drums and songs.
Maintaining Cultural Connections:
- Virtual Library – Indigenous Knowledge & Wisdom Center
- CreeSimonSays is a Cree group where the teacher makes it fun and easier to learn our Cree language
- Quarantine Dance Specials is a group that is open to the Public. Here you are able to enjoy and appreciate pow wow dancers and singers from all over North America
- Think Indigenous On-Line Indigenous Education Grade K – 8 this group has educational instructors from both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Elders share stories and teachings as well
- The Canadian Native Friendship Center
- Bent Arrow Healing Society
- Virtual Museum of Metis History and Culture
- Virtual Museum Exhibits
- Interesting story about a team of professors who are conducting research with youth who have transitioned out of government care to demonstrate the importance of cultural connections in that process. Watch Here.
- Explore Edmonton -Indigenous Edmonton
- Warrior Kids Podcast – Hosted by Pam Palmater, an Indigenous Educator from Canada, this interactive podcast is a celebration of everything Indigenous!