The First Peoples Principles of Learning were articulated by Indigenous Elders, scholars and knowledge keepers to guide the development of the curriculum and created by the BC Ministry of Education and First Nations Education Steering Committee in 2006/2007.

These principles attempt to identify common elements in the varied teaching and learning approaches that prevail within particular First Nations societies. It must be recognized that they do not capture the full reality of the approach used in any single First Peoples’ society.

These principles are, “The foundations of Indigeneity are these: values that privilege the interrelationships among the spiritual, the natural, and the self; a sacred orientation to place and space; a fluidity of knowledge exchange between past, present, and future; and an honoring of language and orality as an important means of knowledge transmission” (Jo Chrona di waayu. Kitsumkalum di wil’waatgu. Ganhada di pdeegu). https://firstpeoplesprinciplesoflearning.wordpress.com/

Integrating these values in the classroom is extremely important for indigenous students, but also for all students. My goal of education is creating an inclusive classroom, but also for students to be able to regulate their socio-emotional mindsets. These principles allow the classroom to be more practical and relational, focusing on identity and community so that students can becoming confident in regulating their emotions independently and socially.

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