How to Overlay Indigenous Ways of Knowing Into Your Elementary Curriculum: An Overview

Tammy is Metis and her family is from Selkirk, Manitoba.  Her current practice focuses on indigenous education, particularly curriculum creation and her last project was a partnership with Ignite Centre for e-Learning and Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council to create lessons for their Outreach program for Grades 7 to 9 using indigenous ways of knowing and being and land-based learning.  Tammy is a past board member and volunteer for 11.5 years with the Stardale Women’s Group (stardale.org) that works to empower indigenous girls.  Through her work with Stardale and KTCEA, Tammy has found a passion for assisting educators to integrate indigenous ways of knowing and being and land-based learning into curriculum.

Tammy has over 30 years of teaching experience and she completed a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts (English/Psychology) at the University of Winnipeg and a Master of Education (Distance) through Athabasca University.  She started her teaching career in a Winnipeg junior high in 1988.  In 1994, her family moved to Calgary, Alberta.  Tammy homeschooled her own children until they entered high school and during that time worked at an online/homeschooling program in various areas and all grade levels, including special education.  Other teaching positions she has had since then have been in special education or supporting those with learning barriers, including ELL, from preschool age to adult learners at the college level. 

Her personal time is spent with her grown children, Shiba Inu and Siberian Forest Cat.  When Tammy’s not with them she practices yoga, reads, write, sings (you can often find her at Calgary karaoke lounges), works on family genealogy, watches historical and science fiction shows, and gardens in the warmer months. 

*Her great-grandfather, James Mowat, has a school and park named after him in Fort Saskatchewan and a street in Edmonton (incorrectly spelled James “Mowatt”).

Tammy is Metis and her family is from Selkirk, Manitoba.  Her current practice focuses on indigenous education, particularly curriculum creation and her last project was a partnership with Ignite Centre for e-Learning and Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council to create lessons for their Outreach program for Grades 7 to 9 using indigenous ways of knowing and being and land-based learning. ... Read more »