Equity and Inclusion

Growing Our Understanding of Indigenous Knowledge

The First Peoples Principles of Learning are representative of the indigenous ways of learning.  Our librarian, Ms. Mei works with teachers to find ways to highlight and share these Principles of Learning with MacNeill students. 

This year, one of our math teachers, Ms. Padmanabhan, partnered with Ms. Mei as they designed a unit of study and investigation that looked at graphing the mathematical equations that replicated the shapes found in both weaving patterns of Coast Salish peoples as well as the conics found in various art pieces. Students were tasked with researching designs, applying Mathematical understanding in order to graph the shapes.  Along with this learning students learned a great deal about the significance of certain animals, shapes and connected indigenous knowledge.

How might different perspectives and knowledges (such as different ways of looking at and doing math) be beneficial?