Offering Indigenous Consultation Services online and in-person for Educational, Indigenous, Environmental, and Professional Organizations.
Build capacity within your organization to understand Indigenous people, perspectives, science, and ways of knowing.
Manoomin Learning has served many diverse organizations and communities across Turtle Island (North America) through a variety of our services.
Scroll down to learn more about the tree-mendous services that we offer.
Workshops
Whether they are online or in person, Manoomin Learning workshops will help further your understanding of Indigenous people, perspectives, science, and ways of knowing. The workshops will also contribute towards your goals of Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Listed below workshops that I am currently offering, each with a duration of 1 hour.
Under each workshop description you can see who this workshop is meant for. However just know that no matter what client we are lucky enough to work with, we always gear the information to the relevant audience and ensure that the information is accessible to the age that we are working with.
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Our Canadian education system predominantly reflects Western epistemologies and pedagogies, yet Indigenous peoples offer invaluable perspectives on learning, understanding the world, and contributing to student success. Our pedagogy emphasizes deep connections to land, inquiry-based learning, experiential learning, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. It's vital for educators to broaden their perspectives and incorporate Indigenous pedagogies and epistemologies to create inclusive learning environments. In this workshop we will learn how to embed Indigenous ways of knowing into all our lessons.
Great for learning specialists, teachers, and educators of all backgrounds
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Join me on an enriching exploration of the original peoples of Turtle Island (North America) that flourished on this vast land. In this workshop we will speak about the diversity of Indigenous people, from the resilient Inuit communities of the Artic, to the diverse First Nations across the forest, plains, and mountains, and the vibrant Metis whose heritage blended European and Indigenous traditions. By the end of this workshop participants will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complexities, diversities, and nuances of Indigenous people. We will also learn the shared values of Indigenous people and how our Mother the Earth binds us all together.
Great for everyone. The information presented In this workshop is something I believe every Canadian should know and understand.
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Too often land acknowledgements become land scripts. How do we make sure that we are delivering meaningful land acknowledgments? Who are the nations behind the names we hear in land acknowledgments? What is a true authentic Indigenous land acknowledgment? This workshop will answer these questions and more! Go beyond the land script and learn how to make a meaningful land acknowledgment that will help your organization stand out.
Great for organizations looking to further understand Indigenous ways of knowing and people living in anywhere in North America. The information presented in this workshop is something I believe every Canadian should know and understand.
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Often, we think of the forest, the ecosystem, and the environment in parts, as separate systems that interact, but only in certain ways. Indigenous Science and ways of knowing teaches us that everything is interconnected. Whether abiotic or biotic, there is only one system, the Earth system. This workshop explores what Indigenous Science is, how it compares to Western science, and what our relationship, role, and responsibility to the environment is.
Great for Grade 9 de-streamed science, but this workshop can also be delivered to any science class, as well as environmental organizations.
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From the ground up Indigenous peoples from the Northeast Woodlands have contributed numerous scientific discoveries that are applied in STEM. Delve into the unique aspects of being an oral history people and discover how First Nations communicated their science and ways of knowing. We will also explore the methods used to preserve this knowledge for future generations through wampum, petroglyphs, and birch bark. Join me for an insightful discussion on the art of science communication through the Indigenous lens, shedding light on the enduring legacy of Indigenous wisdom in the realm of STEM.
Great for Grade 9 de-streamed science, but this workshop can also be delivered to any science class, as well as environmental organizations.
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What are traditional agricultural practises of First Nations of the Northeastern Woodlands, how does this compare to ‘modern’ agricultural practices? The main difference between traditional First Nation agriculture and today’s agriculture is that we not only grew food that sustained ourselves, but it also sustained the Earth. We didn’t necessarily create our own environment to grow in, we worked with the environment that was there to take care of us. ‘Modern’ agricultural practises have severe impacts on the environment and contribute greatly to human-induced climate change. Can we learn from Indigenous agriculture to promote a greener, healthier, and more connected future for both Mother Earth and humans? Let us use all four states of our being while we learn about Three Sisters agriculture, farming the forests, and mimicking Creators Gitigan (garden) together.
Great for any organization looking to farm in a better way. This workshop is also excellent for any science student or environmental professional to learn.
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Did you know that word sustainability has only been popular here in North America since the early 2000’s. Well maybe to the people who live here now, but the people who have lived here since time immemorial, the Indigenous people, we have always had concepts for sustainability in our culture. We thought about the next seven generations ahead of us, and ensured gifts (or resources) for not only human beings but all beings, we lived by our Dish with One Spoon Wampum, sharing the gifts of the land with a gentle nature. This is how we were able to sustainably live and thrive on this amazing land for thousands of years. These ideas are tried and tested, and could easily be something we integrate into our modern environmental policy, so why don’t we learn more about this together through this awesome workshop!
Great for any science student or environmental professional to learn.
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How often do we consider how the land impacts our way of life. Today all over the world our infrastructure and culture has gone beyond the environment that we live in. But traditionally, and especially here on Turtle Island the houses that people lived in, the way they conducted their day-to-day life, was inspired, influenced, and instructed by the land that the culture lived on. In this workshop we will discuss various cultures like the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe and talk about how their Mother the Earth nurtured them and inspired them to live a good life, with good relations to the non-human beings. We will explore the science, engineering, and architecture, of these homes and cultures and just how complex they really were and still are today.
Great for Grade 9 geography, but this workshop can also be delivered to any geography or science class, as well as environmental organizations.
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So much of the focus on Indigenous people is on assimilation and reconciliation, but what about reclamation. Indigenous organization, Nations, and people all over Turtle Island of Inuit, First Nation, and Metis descent are doing real world work today and making significant strides and changes in environment, politics, art, social, sprots, and so much so much more! If you want to get pumped up and see just how resilient and strong Indigenous people are, then this is the workshop for you.
Great for organizations looking to further understand Indigenous ways of knowing and people living in anywhere in North America, as well as further their goals of reconciliation. The information presented in this workshop is something I believe every Canadian should know and understand.
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Maybe we don’t think about it on the day to day grind of life, but the way in which we view life, the lessons we were taught as children, our cultural backgrounds, all have significant effects on the way we see the world. We are born with our eyes but throughout life we develop glasses and lenses through which we see the world. A key to understanding Indigenous ways of knowing, science, perspectives etc…, is understanding the way in which Indigenous people see the world. Of course Turtle Island is home to many diverse Nations with different cultures and ways of knowing, but we are bound together by our lens in which we see the world through, by the way we walk through this world, by the way we interact with other beings. Lets take a journey together and truly work toward Two-eyed seeing.
Great for organizations looking to further understand Indigenous ways of knowing and people living in anywhere in North America, as well as further their goals of reconciliation. The information presented in this workshop is something I believe every Canadian should know and understand.
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If I said the word medicine, I’m sure you have a specific image that pops into your head. But the way that we understand medicine and interact with it has so much to do with Western culture and science. To the Anishinaabe people medicine is so much more than something that can affect you physically. Medicine can affect all four states of your being: mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Medicine can go beyond the physical, we are going to explore questions like: “who are you medicine for”, “what is your medicine”.
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What goes into creating a community garden? A garden not just for human beings but all the non-human beings as well. A garden with more birds, bees, and biodiversity. One with less upkeep, watering, weeding, and mowing. The solution is creating a nursery for diversity and naturalizing your yard by planting native species that attract pollinators. You will leave this workshop with the inspiration to create a functioning circular ecosystem right in your yard that will be a welcoming community for all beings. A garden where reciprocity with the land and the beings in it are put first.
Great for any organization looking to garden in a better way. This workshop is also excellent for any science student or environmental professional to learn.
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So much of our interactions with the environment have to do with our relationships and our perspectives of the beings within the environment. In Western culture insects are often seen as a nuisance but to the Anishinaabe we see these beings as teachers and ones that deserve just as much respect and reciprocity as other beings. We will discuss the Anishinaabe relationship with insects and try to shift our perspective of these beings and the plants they pollinate. Join me for an enlightening exploration of how altering our perspective can lead to a profound shift in our relationship with nature, influencing positive changes in our interactions with the environment.
Great for any science student or environmental professional to learn.
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“As long as the grass is green, the trees are growing, and the sun rises these Wampum belts are living representations of relationships”. What does this mean, what are Wampum? What is the difference between Wampum and Treaties? Please join me for an insightful workshop on the significance of treaties and Wampum in Ontario. This session will explore the relevant treaties and Wampum that protect the land and the original people and non-human beings of the land and will offer understanding from both Indigenous and Crown perspectives. We'll delve into how these differing viewpoints impact the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government, leading to ongoing challenges and opportunities for reconciliation. We will also be discussing traditional treaties that have long been used prior to contact, which are called Wampum which were sacred agreements to friendship used for Nation-to-Nation governance.
Great for organizations looking to further understand Indigenous ways of knowing and people living in anywhere in North America. The information presented in this workshop is something I believe every Canadian should know and understand.
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When we talk about Indigenous people, Indigenous issues we focus on today. When we teach about Indigenous people we focus on the past. When we look toward reconciliation we focus on the future. For Indigenous people time is circular, if you truly walk with your ancestors they are not in the past, they are in the present, and they inform our future. A key to understanding the unique circumstances of Indigenous people and perspectives of Indigenous people is to understand Indigenous past, present, and future. This timeline is what we will build in this workshop, we will discuss Indigenous people prior to contact, during the colonization period, assimilation and assimilation of Indigenous people, and finally reconciliation and reclamation of Indigenous Culture and people.
Great for organizations looking to further understand Indigenous ways of knowing and people living in anywhere in North America. The information presented in this workshop is something I believe every Canadian should know and understand.
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What even is reconciliation? How do we go about reconciling with Indigenous people. What has been the historical events that lead to reconciliation being a meaningful avenue to restore relations between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people. In this workshop we will discuss these questions and more. We will build a base for understanding the assimilation policies and treaties utilized by the Canadian Crown to systematically destroy Indigenous cultures. We will also balance this with discussion on efforts for reconciliation and also how Indigenous people are working toward cultural revitalization. Reconciliation at its core is about a restoration to friendship and for this we need education, understanding, and communication between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, all of which we will adventure into during this workshop.
Great for organizations looking to further understand Indigenous ways of knowing and people living in anywhere in North America, as well as further their goals of reconciliation. The information presented in this workshop is something I believe every Canadian should know and understand.
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There is this widespread myth that prior to the colonization of Turtle Island (North America) that Indigenous people were hunter-gather’s living honourably off the land but not changing it significant. This is indeed a myth, Indigenous people all across Turtle Island did the same thing that humans did all around the world, move the Earth, establish different populations of plants to grow, and collect resources. The big difference is that Indigenous land care practises have always been rooted in sustainability, and with the idea that whatever gifts we take from our <other the Earth, that we also recognize that these gifts must be shared with all beings. In this workshop we will discuss various Indigenous land-care practises from the Northeastern Woodlands and how these practises could very well be implemented today to build a bright, greener future for all.
Great for any science student or environmental professional to learn.
Consulting
At Manoomin Learning we also specialize in consulting services that bridge the gap between Indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary organizational practices. Our expertise spans a wide range of areas, including education in Indigenous STEM, reconciliation and Indigenization efforts, and integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into research projects.
We can offer guidance and help on crafting meaningful land acknowledgments and provide comprehensive garden and environmental consulting rooted in Indigenous perspectives. Whether you're looking to enhance your organization's understanding of Indigenous knowledge or seeking support for specific projects, we are here to collaborate and guide you every step of the way. Please reach out with a specific consulting inquiry and we can see if our teams expertise aligns with your goals.
Course Development
Do you need support with authentically weaving in Indigenous ways of knowing, Indigenous science, or Indigenous geography into your courses? We are here to help! Manoomin Learning has worked with various school boards, colleges, and universities in their dedication to integrate Indigenous epistemologies, pedagogies, and STEM into their courses. Manoomin Learning has contributed to the development of courses that embrace both synchronous and asynchronous learning formats.
With the recent changes to the Ontario curriculum, mandating Indigenous science be taught in each strand of grade 9 de-streamed science as well as other courses it can be hard to determine where to start and how to respectfully, appropriately, and authentically teach this in your classroom. We would love to help you on your learning journey and give you the keys to teach this successfully.
Land-based Walks
I have come to understand that Anishinaabe education means teachings from the land conducted on the land. Everything was taught on the land, from your culture, to your history, your language, your science, and your peoples ways of coming to know and live in the world. During my land-based walks I simply speak for the land, each and every being has a story to tell and a lesson to teach us. By walking the land together, we further develop a relationship with her, planting the seeds for our young learners to grow into adults that steward and care for the land with reciprocity.
I have led land-based walks for numerous organization, and schools. The walks can focus on businesses sustainability, foraging in the city, climate resilience, Indigenous science, understanding the non-human beings we share the land with, and much more. Whatever your goals are, understand that walking the land together is simply one of the best ways to learn! Please reach out and let me know what you are looking for and if we can work together.
