Listening to Land as Teacher in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

This research responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015) to develop “culturally appropriate early childhood education for Aboriginal families” by bringing together Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and educators to share their perspectives on land-based pedagogies for young children. This qualitative research is based on a ‘Circle Teaching’ shared by Ojibwe Traditional Teacher and Gokoomis (Grandmother) Jacque(line) Lavallee from Shawanaga First Nation in relationship to an Indigenous Knowledge Bundle that she calls a ‘Memory Teaching Bundle’. Since Spring 2019, this ‘Memory Teaching Bundle’ has been cared for and practiced cyclically through Seasonal Ceremonies led by Gokoomis (Grandmother) and her Oshkaabewis (Ceremonial Helper and Messenger) along Gaabikanang Ziibi (Humber River) in Tkaronto (Toronto) in collaboration with a group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators and community organizations committed to land-based early childhood education.