About Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin STEAM
Recognizing that in a rapidly changing world, science, arts and technology competencies are vital to Indigenous young people’s future educational and career success, Canadore College’s School of Indigenous Studies and First Peoples’ Centre, created the Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin (KM) STEAM (Science, Technology, Education, the Arts and Mathematics) Program.
Offered in partnership with Actua, KM teaches the fundamentals of STEAM through a program grounded in Indigenous experiential and land-based learning. We also provide related programs and services to inform and educate about Indigenous-focused STEAM:
- 11-Day Accredited Overnight Summer Land Camp in North Bay area
- Instructor STEAM Training
- School Workshops, Mentorship and Educator Training
- Community outreach and STEAM Event Partnerships
- Career Exploration
- Corporate Partnership Opportunities
Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin STEAM is made as accessible as possible to families, and with the generous support of Actua and our other partners, there are no fees in any KM STEAM.
Why is KM STEAM important?
By creating strong pathways starting in elementary school and continuing into high school and post-secondary, KM STEAM prepares Indigenous young people for successful educational experiences and careers in new and emerging STEAM fields. Our Indigenous land-based learning approach incorporates traditions and cultural practices designed to engage and inspire Indigenous youth to see themselves as confident, successful stewards of their lands and their futures.
How much does the KM STEAM program cost?
To make KM STEAM as accessible as possible to families, and with the generous support of Actua and our other partners, there are no fees in any KM STEAM program. This includes the Day Land Camp (coming in 2021), the 11-Day Overnight Accredited Summer Land Camp and the Land Camp Instructor Training Program.
Is KM STEAM for me?
Depending on your age, you may be able to participate in our STEAM Day Land Camp (coming in 2021) or our 11-day Overnight Accredited Summer Land Camp for high school students. You can also attend STEAM workshops and events through your school or community organization. Learn more about Land Camps
You may be able to participate in our KM STEAM 11-Day Overnight Accredited Summer Land Camp and, upon successful completion, earn a high school interdisciplinary credit (issued by Six Nations Polytechnic STEAM Academy) and a transferrable Canadore College credit. Learn more about Land Camps
You can receive training to become a STEAM Land Camp instructor and/or mentor to Indigenous children in grades K-12. You can also explore what a future STEAM career might look like based on your interests, experience and educational background. Learn more about training
We’ll partner with you to design or find a KM STEAM program to suit your needs. Reach out today to talk about classroom visits, day land camps, summer land camps, mentorship, and instructor training opportunities. Connect with us
If you would like to increase your Indigenous STEAM knowledges and experience for both yourself and your learners, please contact us. Learn more
Do you work for a business, organization or institution that is looking to share new technologies, talent and/or opportunities to respond to the growing need for skilled Indigenous young people within your company and/or your field? Connect with us
The meaning of the KM feather
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The feather represents the centre of the Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin Indigenous STEAM program. This is where everything begins and ends, a symbol of life’s journey. Gerry McComb, who designed the KM feather, explains: With this graphic, I’ve attempted to embody all of the components of STEAM and tie them together with Indigenous culture and Indigenous perspectives of STEAM. Within the feather, a symbol of life’s journey, are images that relate to Science, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous fields. For example, the microscope symbolizes science and medicine in the non-Indigenous perspective, while the stars and plants represent the Indigenous peoples’ understanding of the same disciplines. With fire and water representing balance, the graphic also embodies our understanding of the environment (trees), florals as the arts, and how math relates to our traditional life. The orange circle brings everything together, representing the cycles of life and the sun. The four-direction colours are used throughout to further symbolize Indigenous world views and teachings. |
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Actua is KM Indigenous STEAM Program’s principal partner and is Canada’s leading science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) youth outreach network. Actua’s network is made up of 40 universities and colleges, including Canadore College’s First Peoples’ Centre, the home of the KM STEAM Program. Each year, Actua engages over 35,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth in over 200 communities through school workshops and summer camp programs. Learn more about Actua First Peoples’ Centre at Canadore College joins Actua as 37th network member |
“We have to remember that we have a reciprocal relationship where we’re all interconnected and interdependent on one another. The Earth is our mother.”
--Tammy Dokis, Indigenous STEAM Coordinator, First Peoples’ Centre
“Indigenous Peoples have always known about STEAM. Land-based learning and land-based knowledge is where we learn best.”
--Doug Dokis, Director InSTEM, Actua
We would love to hear from you!
For more information on the Kikandaaswiwin Mookiisin (KM) Indigenous STEAM Program, please call or email:
Tammy Dokis
Indigenous STEAM Coordinator,
First Peoples’ Centre, Canadore College
705-474-7600 ext. 5263
tammy.cayerdokis@canadorecollege.ca
