Description
Braiding Histories: Learning from Aboriginal Peoples' Experiences and Perspectives is a new release by Susan D. Dion, a professor in the Faculty of Education at York University. Drawing on her Lenape / Potawatami roots, the author joined by her brother undertook a process of retelling stories about First Nations' historical experiences in order to engage students and provide them with opportunities for understanding contemporary relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples. The personal account of brother and sister researching historical accounts led to their reframing and retelling stories about Big Bear, Shanawdithit, and their mother's personal story of growing up in Ontario. The stories were intended to be part of a pedagogy of remembrance where the accounts of these people's lives were reframed to be presented with boldness and presence rather than the standard Canadian historical view. The next step was for willing classroom teachers to incorporate these stories within the grade 7 and 8 history program. Although the sample was limited, the detailed follow through is impressive. The author includes pre and post teaching interviews with the teacher as well as transcripts of recordings made of classroom interaction between students and their teacher. The results are revealing and point out the continued resistance of mainstream educators to embrace Aboriginal content from a First Nation's perspective. This book is a riveting read and should be on the course reading lists for all teacher education programs. The book includes the actual Braiding Histories stories that were retold in the classroom: We wanted to hear your stories; Her solitary place; and I share their anger. Highly recommended.