(Think Indigenous Online Classroom/Facebook)

By Nicole Reis

Think Indigenous Online Education

Indigenous educators offer grassroots online classes during First Nation school closures

Mar 17, 2020 | 1:38 PM

Indigenous educators across the province are putting their heads together to ensure all elementary school children stay engaged with their studies while some First Nation schools remain on a precautionary closure due to COVID-19.

Chris Scribe, Indigenous educator with the University of Saskatchewan told meadowlakeNOW, he wanted to support youth engagement through an online education portal for Kindergarten to Grade 8 students to continue their learning while schools are closed on some First Nation communities.

“With school closures, my partner and I are concerned about our kids missing so much and we thought of ways we can support and help,” he said. “I know she’s not alone with her concerns.”

Utilizing Facebook Live as a platform, Scribe and fellow Indigenous educators are volunteering their time to teach and support kids and First Nation youth, wherever they may be.

“I did a post yesterday and there are over 30,000 people were interested, so there’s no turning back,” he said.

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Scribe runs a not for profit organization called Think Indigenous Events Inc. and is running classes daily through Think Indigenous – Online Indigenous Education K-8.

The courses are not grading students on their attendance or performance, but offering storytelling, mathematics, science and stress-management education online to keep young minds active.

“I taught a lesson this morning. I shared and met some of the Saskatchewan curriculum outcomes and indicators and then I provided some homework to show their parents that they’ve met the objectives,” Scribe said.

The program is volunteer based and organized by passionate educators who are concerned with how First Nation youth are spending their time during precautionary closures.

“There’s a lot of opportunities and so many knowledgeable people out there,” Scribe said. “The other part to this is that we want highlight Indigenous knowledge and incorporate that.”

Every grade went live today at 10 a.m. and will continue until the province declares an end to the pandemic.

Some First Nation bands have closed their schools however some schools still remain open.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @nicolereis7722