This paper focuses on the importance of inter-cultural awareness in northern teachers. The authors discuss Dene Kede curriculum as an educational tool that contextualizes the NWT’s K-6 curriculum classes (English Language Arts, Math, Science, etc.) with a focus on the self and its fundamental relationships. Learning the Dene way is experiential and connected with the land, and understanding/implementing this is often a challenge for new teachers from the south.

Grieg and Norwegian present Dene Kede: Trails to Becoming, an interactive CD-ROM game intended to help teachers learn about traditional Dene culture and ways to integrate Dene Kede curriculum into their classes. They are introduced to the Dene Kede educational model, and they are also encouraged to identify their own world views and biases in a set of exercises. The authors suggest that one weakness of this approach is the absence of shared learner outcomes and feedback.

Abstract:

The purpose of the Dene Kede: Trails to Becoming is to introduce teachers new to the Northwest Territories to the Dene, who are members of Canada's First Nations. Through a CD-ROM they will embark on a journey of discovery toward intercultural awareness and sensitivity. They will learn about the traditional Dene culture within the context of the Dene ways of knowing and will explore ways of integrating Dene Kede into their classroom lessons. The Dene Kede curriculum represents a very important step in the evolution of integrating the Dene culture into the classrooms of the Northwest Territories.

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This conference paper is not available open access, but can be purchased from the Learning and Technology Library.

Grieg, Debra, and Gladys Norwegian. “A Journey Toward Inter-cultural Awareness.” Chesapeake: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology, 2010.