Noojamadaa Video-based Education

Why we created a video series

 Quick Start for Educators

The exhibit cannot be everywhere, but the video can be accessed easily!

​The video provides learners and instructors with an interactive teaching tool designed to build intercultural awareness, humility and competency.

​It educates on the experiences of Indigenous women in contemporary Canadian society and on how their lives have been are impacted by colonialism, and how they have responded with resilience. It allows learners to observe and challenge their own assumptions and narratives in a safe space.

The intent of the women who shared their stories was that it will contribute to reconciliation within Indigenous communities, and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians and communities, as articulated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s Calls to Action (TRC, 2015). 

It also provides a good background for the discussion of healthy relationships.

The Noojamadaa videos are designed in formal curriculum format by educators from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (Marion Maar, Nicole Bissette & Beaudin Bennett).

Our team prepared a student guide, a teacher/facilitator guide and background reading for those who are interested in the theoretical underpinnings of this work.

 Here is a brief summary how the sessions work;

• Play the video for students to see Noojamadaa images and and explore discussion questions
• Pause the video when indicted to allow time for this reflection 
• Restart the video to here the Anishinaabe women's reflection 
• Pause the video and deepen learner reflections based on new questions
• End with a guided wrap up discussion

We have tested this approach with elementary school students (Grades 6, 7 and 8), highschool students, social work, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and medical students, as well as health professionals.

We have collected over 250 evaluations, which have been very positive and we are currently working on writing up the results.