First Nations & Inuit Schools
The RÉCIT First Nation and Inuit Provincial Service operates under the overarching RÉCIT mandate to develop competencies through the strategic integration of technologies in education. Our specific focus is working with First Nations and Inuit schools in Quebec. We offer:
- Training and Support: We organize professional development sessions to ensure educators are equipped to use digital tools that enhance learning and teaching.
- A Collaborative Network: We host regular meetings specifically for teachers and consultants working in Indigenous communities. The goal of these sessions is to create a dynamic space for sharing best practices, fostering peer-to-peer learning, and connecting educators across First Nations and Inuit communities and with the broader Quebec educational network.
We foster culturally relevant innovation by encouraging and supporting the development of digital projects and resources that reflect and celebrate the languages, histories, and contemporary realities of First Nations and Inuit peoples.
While this page’s content is tailored for educators working in Indigenous communities, we believe all educators can significantly benefit from these resources, particularly in developing Competency 15: To value and support Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing.
Projects and Initiatives
Podcasting for Cultural and Language Revitalization (Summer 2024)
In collaboration with the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education at McGill University and the Mohawk Language Custodian Association, RÉCIT FNI coordinated a podcasting workshop for teachers-in-training. Professionals from RÉCIT Univers Social and LEARN RÉCIT for the Anglophone Community provided the workshop on-site at the Kanehsatake Cultural Centre. The workshop allowed participants to build their technical skills and consider podcasting as an educational tool to preserve Indigenous cultures and languages for future generations.
Digital Learning Workshops and Online Safety at Luke Mettaweskum School (Spring 2024)
RÉCIT FNI, collaborated with the Cree School Board and Aboriginal Territories in Cyberspace (AbTeC) at Concordia University’s Institute for Media Arts, Culture and Technology to provide a series of on-site digital creation workshops for students at Luke Mettaweskum School in Nemaska in April 2024.
The student workshops were led by the AbTeC team and covered the use of Bitsy (pixel-based game design) and image design on iPads using Procréate software. RÉCIT FNI’s professional conducted a session for teachers at Luke Mettaweskum School about online safety and prevention.
Digital Storytelling for Indigenous In-Service Teachers (summer 2023).
As part of the Summer Institute of the Office of First Nations and Inuit Education (McGill University’s Department of Integrated Studies in Education), RÉCIT FNI coordinated three classes on the basics of coding and storytelling using Twine software. The training was led by the team from Aboriginal Territories in Cyberspace (AbTeC) at Concordia University’s Institute for Media Arts, Culture and Technology.
We encourage you to explore the Twine platform and resources designed by our community to help you get started with Twine!
Indigenous Digital Storytelling for Crossroads at John Abbott Colleage (spring 2023)
RÉCIT FNI coordinated a series of workshops for students enrolled in the Crossroads program at John Abbot College. Crossroads is a two-semester program open only to students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
The workshop activities were led by a team from Aboriginal Territories in Cyberspace (AbTeC) from Concordia University’s Institute for Media Arts, Culture and Technology. Students were granted personal iPads and learned how to create their own avatars using pro-create . Students also had the opportunity to meet Indigenous multimedia artists, explore a digital creation laboratory at Concordia University, and showcase their works in a vernissage.
Looking for Professional Development?
The RÉCIT First Nation and Inuit Provincial Service is ready to enhance your board or school’s digital capabilities with free professional development. We cover a wide range of pedagogical technologies, including:
- Podcasts
- Minecraft Education Edition
- Scratch
- Makerspaces
- Educational robotics
- And more!
We can tailor sessions specifically for your teachers. Our team can also provide flexible in-class modelling and support through online platforms (like Zoom or Teams) or in-person visits, depending on your board’s location. Contact Daphna Leibovici daphna.leibovici@recit.gouv.qc.ca if you’re interested in arranging training sessions!
Webinar Recordings
These events were hosted by the RÉCIT First Nation and Inuit Provincial Service and the RÉCIT Provincial Service for the Anglophone Community.
