Making Connections for Northern Students

“Hello, everyone!” April Allen, an Inuk fashion designer and artist, beams out of the screen. A small group of Grade 3 students wave back. A map on the screen shows that from Labrador City, where she is, to their Nunavut classroom is over 2,000 km. Today April is making keychains with the kids out of sealskin and moose hide.

The students have their kits ready. The camera focuses on April’s hands as she patiently takes them through the steps: “Do we all have our glue on the rough side of our heart? Good job everyone!” Soon heart and wolf keychains are being dangled in front of the screen as the kids show off what they’ve made. “You all did so well on your projects!” exclaims April. In the last few minutes of her visit, she shows them some of her fashion designs and jewelry, which are spectacular – but the biggest reaction goes to the ookpiks her mom makes. “You guys can make this too when you’re a little older,” she says, and then chats a bit about the kinds of wild meat they all enjoy eating before signing off.

For schools in Canada’s northern, remote Indigenous communities, the cost and complications of travel put some of the educational experiences that southern students have easy access to out of reach. Things like field trips to museums, careers days on college campuses, and workshops with visiting experts are rarely feasible. But what if you could bring a world of inspiration and knowledge to your students?

Connected North brings artists, scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, and other experts to remote classrooms across the north – virtually. An award-winning program of Canadian charity TakingITGlobal, Connected North works in partnership with Indigenous communities to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing and learning into the curricula and give Indigenous students a chance to learn from and create with a wide range of expert mentors. (So far this year, more than 55 percent of Sessions have been delivered by First Nations, Inuit, or Métis role models.)

“The variety of workshops available is incredible, and I highly recommend seeking Connected North as a source to solidify, hook, and further enhance students’ learning.”

The response from schools has been tremendous. From its launch with one school in Nunavut in 2013, Connected North has grown to serve 200 of the most remote schools in Canada – with more on the “waiting list.” Over 6,200 sessions were delivered in the 2023-24 school year and the demand just keeps growing.

It’s a special opportunity for the presenters as well. April Allen says, “Being a Connected North provider is an incredibly fulfilling experience. It allows me to bridge distances, share knowledge, and celebrate our culture while creating meaningful connections that uplift and empower our Northern communities.”

Connecting Schools

Connected North schools – or in some cases school districts or departments – pay an annual fee to have access to a certain number of sessions. Donations raised by TakingITGlobal often subsidize part of the cost. “We recommend 25-50 Sessions in a school year, depending on the size of the school,” explain Executive Director Jennifer Corriero. “Each teacher gets a number of credits available to them to use for class sessions, and training to make sure they know how to select and set up their sessions.” Every school has a Connected North contact person to answer questions and help teachers select sessions from among the 2,400+ offered that are well suited to their curriculum needs and students.

“This was a memorable moment that the students will remember for the rest of their lives!” – Pelican Falls High School, Sioux Lookout, Ontario

Connected North presenters’ specialties range across the curriculum, with artist and science presenters being among the most popular. Connected North works with each presenter to ensure presentations are engaging, respectful of Indigenous knowledge and cultures, and foster well-being as well as curriculum knowledge. Any special materials needed in the classroom for a session, from specimens to dissect to basket weaving reeds, are supplied. Virtual field trips, career fairs, cultural exchanges with other schools, and professional learning opportunities for educators are all part of the package.

 “When students can learn from masters of their craft, the value of the learning experience is increased tremendously.” – Teacher feedback, 2024

Teacher feedback has been extremely positive, with 95% session satisfaction. As teacher Cindy Freeman, of Carcross, Yukon, says, “Connected North has brought the outside world to Carcross. The students have been able to experience and interact with incredible instructors from across North America… to visit places they would otherwise not get the chance to see. The interaction between our guests and students is remarkable. The students learn to ask intelligent questions, expand their horizons, and share their knowledge.”

While accessing Connected North live sessions requires a financial commitment, the organization also offers a treasure-trove of online educational resources that highlight Indigenous role models and are free for teachers and students to dive into (see “Free Online Resources”).

“Connected North offers isolated students the chance to ‘even the playing field’, and as an educator, I couldn’t be more grateful.” – Teacher feedback, 2024

The impact on the students is apparent to their teachers, who say that Connected North contributes to attendance and motivation for learning. Corriero says, “Learning from people who hold knowledge and who have that level of fascination really excites kids’ curiosity. Students begin to go deeper and it becomes a catalyst with a life beyond the session itself. And if that person is also Indigenous, then the students can feel, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’ So it’s expanding their sense of belonging, of what is possible.” Priscilla Boulay, Inuvialuit carver and presenter, experiences her impact on students in a more immediate way: “You can see it in their eyes – there is so much joy and so much proudness in them.”

If you’re in a remote community, inquire about bringing Connected North to your school: www.tigurl.org/joincn

To find out more about teachers’ experiences with Connected North and user tips:

https://www.connectednorth.org/en/inourclassroom

FREE ONLINE RESOURCES

Fireside Chats showcases 600+ video interviews with Indigenous professionals sharing their learning and career journeys. www.firesidechats.ca

Create to Learn offers video tutorials on a variety of digital skills and traditional teachings from over 60 First Nations, Inuit and Métis creatives. Fish skin tanning, audio engineering and entrepreneurship is a taste of what’s on offer.   www.createtolearn.ca

Whose.land is an interactive global map sharing treaties, traditional territories, businesses, communities, and lesson plans to help develop classroom Land Acknowledgements. www.whose.land

Your Voice is Power helps educators teach music, coding and Indigenous histories as students remix beats using code and create their own song to share their message about social justice. www.yourvoiceispower.ca

Support Connected North

Registered charity TakingITGlobal relies on donations and corporate sponsorships to keep Connected North affordable for schools.

To donate: www.connectednorth.org/en/ways-to-give