Natural Curiosity
Program Advisors
CHRISS BOGERT
Vice Principal
Chriss Bogert is a guest on Turtle Island and is the Vice Principal at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Lab School. She was formally the Teacher Librarian at JICS and is dedicated to teaching students about social and environmental justice issues using a critical literacy and inquiry approach. Chriss was one of the assisting writers and editors of both editions of the Natural Curiosity resource.
RICHARD MESSINA
Principal
Richard Messina is Principal of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study (JICS) Laboratory School at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), which aims to explore what is possible in education and to provide insights into teaching and learning for the benefit of public school teachers and students. Prior to his appointment as Principal, Richard served as Vice Principal, Teacher, and Researcher for the JICS Lab School. He holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and is currently a doctoral student in the Developmental Psychology and Education program at OISE.
HALEY HIGDON
Managing Editor
Haley Higdon is the Program Director of Natural Curiosity and the Managing Editor of Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition: The Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Children’s Environmental Inquiry. She oversees the implementation of professional development workshops surrounding the new edition of Natural Curiosity and liaises with environmental organizations, school boards, and teachers on inquiry-based environmental education practices. Haley is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Child Study and Education program, and is a member of the board of The Canadian Network of Environmental Education and Communication.
LORRAINE CHIAROTTO
Author of Natural Curiosity
Lorraine is the creator of the first edition of Natural Curiosity: Building Children’s Understanding of the World through Environmental Inquiry. Lorraine Chiarotto is an Ontario Certified Teacher, lover of nature, and author of the first edition of Natural Curiosity (2011). Lorraine earned her MA in Child Study and Education at the Institute of Child Study where she discovered and fell in love with inquiry-based learning. From there, she began her career as a member of the teaching staff at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School (JICS). Lorraine was appointed with the task of creating Natural Curiosity by researching, documenting, and sharing the Lab School’s environmental inquiry approach with all educators. Lorraine currently teaches at Centennial Infant and Child Centre, a preschool for children with special needs. A proud young mother, her favourite pastime is spending entire days outdoors with her two little boys… enjoying nature
CHRISTINE HIGDON
Editor
Christine Higdon is the co-editor of Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition. She is an editor, graphic designer, and writer, and the author of the novel The Very Marrow of Our Bones. She was honoured to be asked work on this project.
TRACY PRYCE
Editor
Tracy Pryce is co-editor of the second edition of Natural Curiosity. A freelance editor, she has contributed to various publications, manuscripts, and texts in academic, professional, and prose forms. Tracy is currently a student of the Adult Education and Community Development program (M.Ed.) at OISE, U of T, and is researching the practice and pedagogy of writing and narrative, the role of narrative as a critical tool for uniting people and communities, and the efficacy of narrative in therapy. Tracy is dedicated to the project of reconciliation in Canada and has collaborated on education projects related to the resurgence of Indigenous people with friends and colleagues Jennifer Wemigwans and Doug Anderson.
DOUG ANDERSON
Author of the Indigenous Lens on Natural Curiosity
Doug (Métis) is the Creative and Strategic Director at Invert Media. He has consulted extensively on education and program development for Aboriginal communities across Canada for over 20 years. Since 2001, he has devoted much of his energy to research and writing on Indigenous histories and cultures, and translating them to contemporary education systems and media. He enjoys the challenge of designing and building new platforms for representing Indigenous knowledge, and is committed to preserving these forms of knowledge and presenting them as models for thinking and problem solving in the 21st century. Mr. Anderson worked at both the government and community levels for many years in the development and evaluation of learning programs, and has many years of front line experience in building learning and training opportunities for community members of all ages and levels of learning.
JULIE COMAY
Co-Author of Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition
Julie Comay was a classroom teacher at the Lab School and in Toronto public schools for over 20 years and currently works with graduate education students at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute for Child Study. In 2009, she received a PhD from OISE/UT for research focused on the growth of narrative skill and social understanding in young children. As a researcher and practitioner with a strong interest in children’s play, Julie has collaborated with teachers, academic researchers, and community members to design and implement engaging literacy and math programs in Ontario elementary schools. The opportunity to work in First Nation communities in northwest Ontario with the Robertson Program for Inquiry-Based Teaching in Mathematics and Science kindled her interest in Indigenous education. She was honoured to participate in writing this new edition of Natural Curiosity.
Natural Curiosity
2nd Edition Contributors
Natural Curiosity
2nd Edition Advisory Board
VERN DOUGLAS (BIIDAABUN)
Elder
Vernon Douglas (Biidaabun), Anishinaabe Elder (family from Mnjikaning). Cultural Advisor, Department of Indigenous Studies, Trent University (2000-2011, retired). Founding member of Indigenous Studies Ph.D Council, Trent University (1998- present). Native Education Advisor, Toronto District School Board (1991-2000). Program Director, Sacred Circle Native Education Program, Edmonton Public Schools (1981- 1985). Classroom teacher, West Parry Sound Board of Education (1969-1981).
JENNIFER WEMIGWANS
Assistant Professor in Leadership, Higher and Adult Education, OISE
Jennifer is Anishnaabekwe (Ojibwe/Potawotami) from Wikwemikong First Nation and President of Invert Media. She is a new media producer, writer and scholar specializing in the convergence between education, Indigenous Knowledge and new media technologies. Dr. Wemigwans takes pride in working to invert the conventional use of media by revealing the potential for Indigenous cultural expression and Indigenous knowledge through new technologies, education and the arts. Her work in academia and in the private sector puts her in a unique position to tap the pulse of innovation in Indigenous education and media. To view her work please visit www.invertmedia.com. To learn more about Indigenous Knowledge on the Internet look for her peer-reviewed book, A Digital Bundle, released in the fall of 2018 by University of Regina Press.
BEV CASWELL
Former JICS Lab School Teacher and Director of The Robertson Program for Math & Science Inquiry
Bev Caswell is the Director of the Robertson Program for Inquiry-based Teaching in Science and Mathematics and works collaboratively with educators in Ontario to design inquiry-based learning environments for children that promote equity and a deeper understanding of math and science concepts. She is an Associate Member of the Centre for Urban Schooling at OISE and one of the founding coordinators of OISE’s Inner City Option in the Initial Teacher Education Program. She completed her doctoral research focusing on equity in mathematics. During her time at OISE, she acted as Teacher Liaison for the Inclusive Schools Project, a collaboration between OISE and the Toronto District School Board. Bev is currently involved in the Math for Young Children Project in the Rainy River District School Board and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Bev has ten years experience as an elementary school classroom teacher, and ten years experience in teacher education.
SANDRA STYRES
Assistant Professor of Indigenous Education, OISE
Sandra is of Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), English and French descent and resides on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Dr. Styres is an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Education with the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Sandra’s research interests specifically focus on various aspects of Indigenous education that include: decolonizing Land-centered approaches to Indigenous pedagogies and teaching practices; literacies of Land; teacher-student interactions, learning through various modalities, and the pedagogical implications of those modalities; issues concerning social justice, racism and construction of race in teaching and learning contexts; integration of Indigenous teaching and learning in higher education with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students; pre-service and in-service teacher development; Indigenous philosophies and knowledges; culturally aligned methodologies and theoretical approaches to Indigenous research; Indigenous and non-Indigenous research collaborations; as well as addressing issues of ethics and protocols that guide the work between Indigenous peoples, communities, and universities.
CAROL STEPHENSON
Senior Kindergarten Teacher, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
Carol Stephenson has practiced inquiry-based approach to learning over the past 20 years. Her goal is to constantly find better ways to deepen and make explicit the growth of her students’ understanding. Fascinated by how young children play, think and learn, her work has been featured in Canada’s largest newspaper, as well as in both publications of Natural Curiosity. Her most recent publication, (co-authored with Diane Tepylo) is an article for the journal Young Children on exemplary block programs and the development of spatial reasoning. Ms. Stephenson has been invited to speak at conferences and schools in Canada, the United States, China, India and Japan.
DONNA CHIEF
Donna Chief has worked in the field of Aboriginal Education her entire career. With 24 years of experience, she has extensive experience working and living in the culture of Aboriginal people.
JEAN-PAUL RESTOULE
Jean-Paul Restoule is Anishinaabe and a member of the Dokis First Nation. He is Professor and Chair of Indigenous Education at the University of Victoria. Jean-Paul’s research is concerned with Indigenizing and decolonizing teacher education; supporting Indigenous student success; Indigenous pedagogy in online learning environments, and Indigenous research methodologies and ethics. Jean-Paul recently served as Indigenous curriculum lead for an innovative online course for First Nations school Principals and was the founding curator of http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/deepeningknowledge/, an effort to infuse Indigenous peoples’ histories, knowledges and pedagogies into all levels of education. Jean-Paul is the instructor of https://www.coursera.org/learn/aboriginal-education, a MOOC examining how Indigenous perspectives can benefit all learners.
ANGELA NARDOZI
Angela Nardozi is a guest on Turtle Island, whose family came to this land from Italy. Her passion for working alongside Indigenous communities began in 2008, after living in a Treaty Three First Nation and listening to the stories of the youth about their educational aspirations. In 2016, Angela completed her Ph.D. at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, with a focus on Indigenous content in teacher education. Her research was informed by her work with over 6000 teacher candidates while she was the Project Manager of OISE’s Deepening Knowledge Project from 2011 to 2016. A trained educator and a dynamic speaker, Angela has delivered numerous workshops to students from kindergarten to grade 12. She is now a consultant and coach, and the author of Listen & Learn, a popular newsletter/blog supporting educators teaching Indigenous content with resources, ideas and critical questions.
KATHERINE HENSEL
Katherine Hensel is a Secwepemc lawyer and the principal lawyer with Hansel Barristers. Hansel Barristers represents First Nations and their members, as well as Indigenous organizations in a variety of litigations proceedings, including civil litigation, child welfare trials and appeals, human rights complaints, judicial reviews, treaty and Aboriginal rights disputes, select criminal cases, Coroners’ Inquests, and public inquiries, including British Columbia’s Missing and Murdered Women’s inquiry (as counsel for Native Women’s Association of Canada) and the Ipperwash Inquiry (as Assistant Commission Councel). She was co-counsel for the Attawapiskat First Nation in that community’s Federal Court application concerning third party management. Katherine has three children: Sam, Tom, and Hazel.
JASON JONES
Jason is an Ojibwe man from Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation. He has taught himself Ojibwe. Lately he’s been helping www.sayitfirst.ca to create a puppet show, in the the evening, that is all in Ojibwe. Creating resources for second language learners of Ojibwe has been his main goal since he started teaching. Jason has been teaching Ojibwe at Rainy River District School Board since he was 24, and his goals has been to try to create #Languagewarriors that involves youth and anyone who wants to help revitalize Ojibwe language.
SHELLY JONES
Program Support Teacher, Seven Generations Education Institute
Shelly Jones is a Program Support Teacher with the First Nation Student Success Program at Seven Generations Education Institute in Fort Frances, ON. This program supports five First Nation schools (K-12) with literacy, numeracy, and student retention initiatives. She grew up on Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing which is located on beautiful Lake of the Woods. She has a love for the Ojibwe language and continues to learn more about her culture and history. She loves spending time with her husband Mike and their three children; Breanna, Madeline, and Jack. Shelly and her husband are also proud grandparents to Delaina.
ANGELA MAINVILLE
Angela grew up in Couchiching First Nation and spent most of her time at her family’s homestead in the north arm of Rainy Lake. In addition to being educated on the land and water by her parents and extended family, she attended provincial schools for elementary and secondary, went to college at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and is currently in university while working at the Rainy River District School Board for Seven Generations Education Institute as the Indigenous Education Leader. Angela has worked in the Indigenous education field her entire career and hopes to continue to do so as this is where her passion lies.
DEBORAH MCGREGOR
Deborah McGregor is an Associate Professor in Aboriginal Studies and Geography. She is an Anishnaabe from Wiigwaskingaa (Whitefish River First Nation, Birch Island, Ontario). She is an educator and trainer at both the university and community levels. Her focus is on Indigenous knowledge in relation to the environment. She is also an environmental consultant for various Ontario First Nations organizations. McGregor’s research is in the area of Aboriginal environmental and resource management. The approach she takes is interdisciplinary, and includes such topics as: environmental health, water quality, environmental assessment, sustainability, sustainable forest management, environmental planning, Indigenous knowledge and traditional knowledge (TK). McGregor’s research focus has for the last few years centred on four areas: Indigenous knowledge in an urban context; Indigenous knowledge with a focus on gendered knowledge; Indigenous perspectives on water quality/quantity; and Indigenous research approaches. A core aspect of her work involves combining research and teaching in areas such as Indigenous education, health, Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous pedagogies and research approaches.
SHARLA MACKINNON
Sharla MacKinnon is currently the Vice Principal for a K-8 school in Northwestern Ontario. She is inspired by building relationships that will ‘ignite the spirit of learning’ within her students, staff and community. Prior to her current role, she was the Elementary Numeracy Facilitator for the Rainy River District School Board. Her love of learning combined with her passion for math motivated her to engage more parental involvement and excitement in this area. She is the proud mom of 2 young mathematicians.
DEBRA CORMIER
Debra Cormier is currently seconded to the Ministry of Education as Team Lead for the Leadership and Implementation Branch of the Literacy Numeracy Secretariat. Debra has nine year’s experience as a Supervisory Officer in the York Catholic District School Board, in three different portfolios: Curriculum and Assessment, Human Resources, and School Leadership. Debra was also principal for 13 years in three different YCDSB schools, and was honoured to be recognized as Principal of the Year in 2001 by the Catholic Principals Council of Ontario. Debra’s current areas of interest include system alignment and coherence, leaders as learners, and capacity building with a focus on First Nation, Métis and Inuit education.
ANDREA RUSSELL
Andrea Russell was the Project Lead for the Environmental Education Initiative at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School. Andrea is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Child Study and Education program. Prior to joining the EE Initiative at the Laboratory School, she worked as a Grade 1/2 teacher at Tawingo College in Huntsville, Ontario where there was a large focus on environmental and outdoor education.
Educators Who Contributed Their Stories
Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition
STEPHANIE HAMMOND
Junior/Senior Kindergarten, Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
MARGE HALE
Junior/Senior Kindergarten, Mine Centre School, Rainy River District School Board (RRDSB). In collaboration with Sara Empey, Glenda Potson, and Gail Jones
BEVERLY PAPOVE
Senior Kindergarten – French Immersion, Elmdale Public School, Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)
HOPI MARTIN
Junior/Senior Kindergarten, McMurrich Junior Public School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
ELLIE CLIN
Grade 1, The Grove Community School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
VELVET LACASSE
Grade 3, The Grove Community School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
CAROL STEPHENSON
Senior Kindergarten, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
ZOE DONOAHUE
Grade 1, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
CINDY HALEWOOD
Grade 2, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
LISA UMANSKY
Grade 3, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
MARLO SOBUSH
ROBIN SHAW
Grade 3/4, Johnny Therriault School, Aroland First Nation
Grade 4, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
MIKE MARTIN
Grade 5, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
MURRAY DEE
Grade 6, Rideau Heights Public School, Limestone District School Board (LDSB)
JANICE HAINES
Grade 5/6, Belfountain Public School, Peel District School Board (PDSB)
Educators Who Contributed Their Stories
Natural Curiosity 1st Edition
CAROL STEPHENSON
Senior Kindergarten, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
ROBIN SHAW
Grade 3, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
PERRI EVERT
Junior/Senior Kindergarten, Victoria Village Public School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
AMANDA TUSTIN
Junior/Senior Kindergarten, The Grove Community School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
SUSANNA CHWANG
Grade 1/2, Rose Avenue Public School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
CINDY HALEWOOD
Grade 2, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
BEN PEEBLES
Grade 5/6, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School
VESSNA ROMERO
Grade 4, Victoria Village Public School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
RHIANNON KENNY
Grade 2/3, The Grove Community School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
KATHLEEN QUAN
Grade 4/5, Rose Avenue Public School, Toronto District School Board (TDSB)
CATHY BERTUCCI
Grade 5, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB)