INST 301 Assignment 6
Essay Response: Final Research Essay
Nicole Fraser
Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services, Athabasca University
INST 301: Indigenous Education
Liana Gallant
May 20, 2025
The Indigenous holistic view on education and learning and how it involves the
community and develops all the aspects of the individual – emotional, physical, spiritual and
intellectual, how children are taught about Indigenous values, beliefs, skills and knowledge
necessary to help them have the best life. It also emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life
under the Creator. It shows how learning through traditional means about their language,
traditions and culture from Elders is critical to the well-being of Indigenous people. It explains
how learning is a lifelong and highly social process that helps to develop the individual and
nurture relationships within the family and throughout the community. It also touches lightly on
what improvements are being made to the Canadian education system to incorporate
Indigenous practices into mainstream curriculum.
, Holistic View
Indigenous people in Canada recognize the role that learning plays in building a healthy,
thriving community. “Despite significant cultural and historical differences, Canada’s First
Nations, Inuit and Métis people share a vision of learning as a holistic, lifelong process.”
(Canadian Council on Learning, 2009). Even though there is diversity among Indigenous peoples,
there is also common thinking about worldviews and ways of being. “Indigenous worldviews
see the whole person (physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual) as interconnected to land
and in relationship to others (family, communities, nations). This is called a holistic or wholistic
view.” (Cull, Hancock, McKeown, Pidgeon & Vedan, n.d.) A holistic perspective provides a
capacity of wholeness, balance, harmony and beauty.
The idea of the earth and all things being in constant motion and having a continuous
process of creation occurring leads to a holistic view of the world. It is repetitive,
processoriented and grounded in a particular place. Little Bear (2000) writes, “Creation is a
continuity. If creation is to continue, then it must be renewed. Renewal ceremonies, the telling
and retelling of creation stories, the singing and re-singing of the songs, are all human’s part in
the maintenance of creation.” Holistic education focuses on the relationships that one has with
oneself, family, community, language, culture, land and “must address the intellectual, spiritual,
emotional and physical development of participants.” (Royal Commission on Aboriginal
Peoples, 1996, p.414 - 415) it is seen “as a process that begins before birth and continues long
after formal education is over.” Relationships are essential for learning about ancestral language,
culture and history.
Essay Response: Final Research Essay
Nicole Fraser
Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services, Athabasca University
INST 301: Indigenous Education
Liana Gallant
May 20, 2025
The Indigenous holistic view on education and learning and how it involves the
community and develops all the aspects of the individual – emotional, physical, spiritual and
intellectual, how children are taught about Indigenous values, beliefs, skills and knowledge
necessary to help them have the best life. It also emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life
under the Creator. It shows how learning through traditional means about their language,
traditions and culture from Elders is critical to the well-being of Indigenous people. It explains
how learning is a lifelong and highly social process that helps to develop the individual and
nurture relationships within the family and throughout the community. It also touches lightly on
what improvements are being made to the Canadian education system to incorporate
Indigenous practices into mainstream curriculum.
, Holistic View
Indigenous people in Canada recognize the role that learning plays in building a healthy,
thriving community. “Despite significant cultural and historical differences, Canada’s First
Nations, Inuit and Métis people share a vision of learning as a holistic, lifelong process.”
(Canadian Council on Learning, 2009). Even though there is diversity among Indigenous peoples,
there is also common thinking about worldviews and ways of being. “Indigenous worldviews
see the whole person (physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual) as interconnected to land
and in relationship to others (family, communities, nations). This is called a holistic or wholistic
view.” (Cull, Hancock, McKeown, Pidgeon & Vedan, n.d.) A holistic perspective provides a
capacity of wholeness, balance, harmony and beauty.
The idea of the earth and all things being in constant motion and having a continuous
process of creation occurring leads to a holistic view of the world. It is repetitive,
processoriented and grounded in a particular place. Little Bear (2000) writes, “Creation is a
continuity. If creation is to continue, then it must be renewed. Renewal ceremonies, the telling
and retelling of creation stories, the singing and re-singing of the songs, are all human’s part in
the maintenance of creation.” Holistic education focuses on the relationships that one has with
oneself, family, community, language, culture, land and “must address the intellectual, spiritual,
emotional and physical development of participants.” (Royal Commission on Aboriginal
Peoples, 1996, p.414 - 415) it is seen “as a process that begins before birth and continues long
after formal education is over.” Relationships are essential for learning about ancestral language,
culture and history.
