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Educators Welcome and Introduction

Dear Educators,We would like to introduce you to the first in a series of instructional suggestions from  Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way.   Funding for the project was generously provided by Marilyn Burgoon in memory of her sister Yvonne Woods, by the Slocan Valley Legacy Fund and by Lori Barkley.

Honouring the oral tradition, Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way is a unique publication in that it is
an audio file/book collection of Sinixt stories. The actual stories are available ONLY in audio form and may be downloaded using instructions provided with the purchase of the book. The book itself supports the audio files in multiple ways. This project is designed to present Sinixt culture and teachings to students and the general public. After engaging in a listening session to hear a story, the book supports the audio files with cross-cultural perspectives offering two world views. These world views are profiled in discussions between the Sinixt storytellers and the settlers who part…
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Oral Tradition: An Introduction

We live in a storied landscape. The knowledge that has been here for thousands of years has been overlooked, ignored, or disconnected. This resource unit is an example of the oral tradition based on Sinixt First Nation whose legends, stories, myths, and parables relate to the many aspects of existence and subsistence. First Nations community utilized the oral tradition in their traditional educational process. This resource unit is an offering to assist educators in bringing the Sinixt Peoples into their classrooms and metaphorically out of extinction. The purpose of the unit is to provide educators and students with an experience of traditional, educational, and cultural practice that the Sinixt hold and value to this very day. Variation Aspect The linear frame of reference so prevalent in our modern-day society rarely accommodates two versions of a story without feeling the need to consider one correct, or more correct than the other. Variations in the oral presentations can, and d…
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Coyote Quarrels With Mole

(time 5:23) Big Ideas:Educators are encouraged to focus on four dominant themes throughout their planning and study of the story Coyote Quarrels with Mole. The themes integral to the story are 1) matriarchy, 2) relationship, 3) communication, and 4) poverty/affluence. The following are suggestions and information that will assist educators in meeting their learning objectives for their students.Backgrounder: Teachers are encouraged to read the summaries and reflections found in the book Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way that reference and relate to this story. Several important topics and concepts are mentioned, such as:Matrilineal threads – the roles of the mothers and grandmothers; Smum iem;Protocols for women – sweat lodge, moontime; Babies seen as gifts to the village;Obligation to give in a positive way;Custom adoption by family members;Relevant artwork.Language:
An introduction to some of the following words and phrases may be needed for younger students prior to, …
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Critters Help the Helpless

(time 14:00) Big Ideas:Educators are encouraged to focus on four dominant themes throughout their planning and study of the story Critters Help the Helpless. The themes integral to the story are 1) responsibility, 2) gratitude, 3) protocols, and 4) inclusion. The following are suggestions and information that will assist educators in meeting their learning objectives for their students.Backgrounder: Teachers are encouraged to read the summaries and reflections found in the book Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way that reference and relate to this story. Several important topics and concepts are mentioned, such as:Parental responsibility – teaching children to respond, feel gratitude, and be responsible (accept responsibility);Educating yourself, learning – it’s a job, a responsibility;Judging others by looks;Colonial oppression;Sinixt responsibility/commitment – to provide a Sinixt perspective; to uphold cultural laws;Active participation betters your life – helps you to know…
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Coyote Juggles His Eyes

(time 7:57) Big Ideas:Educators are encouraged to focus on three dominant themes throughout their planning and study of the story Coyote Juggles His Eyes. The themes integral to the story are 1) community, 2) tolerance, and 3) social justice. The following are suggestions and information that will assist educators in meeting their learning objectives for their students.Backgrounder: Teachers are encouraged to read the summaries and reflections found in the book Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way that reference and relate to this story. Several important topics and concepts are mentioned, such as:Stories can address bad behaviour (bad choices) and set examples;Learning from mistakes; Curiosity and naivety;Redemption, forgiveness;Making choices – from ignorance; influenced by character flaws; or with integrity;Tolerating bad behaviour; developing patience, humility, empathy;Life lessons – discernment: not everything around us will be good or positive;Community perspective …
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Why Mosquitoes Bite People

(time 3:44) Big Ideas:Educators are encouraged to focus on three dominant themes throughout their planning and study of Why Mosquitoes Bite People. The themes integral to the story are 1) honour; 2) life skills; and 3) Sinixt cultural laws and protocols. The following are suggestions and added information that will assist educators in meeting their learning objectives for their students.Backgrounder: Teachers are encouraged to read the summaries and reflections found in the book Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way that reference and relate to this story. Several important topics and concepts are mentioned, such as:The blood of life;Sinixt hunting rights;Hunting protocols, generosity, and sharing;Caution re: roadkill;Sinixt existence: how Sinixt came to be;Extinction;Stewards for the land; conservers for the animals;Grey matter/imprinted memory;Darwinism; white supremacy;Relevant artwork.Language:
An introduction to some of the following words and phrases may be needed for you…
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