This phenomenological study of a First Nations to First Nations reciprocal student
exchange elicited and explored the meanings of a reciprocal intercommunity exchange for grade
7 and 8 students in two First Nations schools. Representative student research participants from
one of the schools shared their pictures, stories and memories of their experiences through
photo-story (Truchon, 2007; Wang & Burris, 1997) and in a sharing circle (Lavallee, 2007).
The students‟ journeys were not only physical and geographical, but also emotional and
cultural. I also journeyed to an acceptance of my outsider/insider status growing up in a First
Nations community. As a non-Aboriginal researcher, I negotiated a space between the demands
of the academic institution and the First Nations community; and chose research methods that
were congruent with Indigenous Research Methodology (Wilson, 2008; Kovach, 2009; Smith,
1999).
The four themes that emerged from the data: community and relationships; culture and
ceremony; connections with place, and confidence building are congruent with AFN‟s vision of
“reciprocal inter-community exchanges promoting sharing of culture” (AFN, 2007) and with
Cajete‟s (1999) vision of “igniting the sparkle.” These students said that: “learning about
another culture made me want to learn more about my own.” Listening to these students share
what was gained through this exchange and their dreams for the future revealed their hope and
persistence. The example of a practice such as a reciprocal exchange which encouraged and
iii
engaged these youth could stimulate other First Nations communities to seek out similar
educational practices that would benefit their youth. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2011-01-25 16:18:38.852
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OKQ.1974/6286 |
| Date | 27 January 2011 |
| Creators | HEWITT, JUDITH M |
| Contributors | Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.). Theses (Queen's University (Kingston, Ont.)) |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner. |
| Relation | Canadian theses |
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