Subject: Aboriginal Peoples' Conception of Lifelong Learning as a

Posted by Eric Milligan on 1/10/2010
In Reply To:Aboriginal Peoples' Conception of Lifelong Learning as a Posted by Bill Rathborne on 1/9/2010

Message:

CCL, has done some very valuable work, I agree -- and not only in the area of aboriginal learning.

Their approach to the development of these three models was quite remarkable, in my view. They recognized that both formal and experiential learning processes are important, that the emphasis shifts over time for individuals, and that performance monitoring would not be complete unless it addressed both streams. This is particularly true for aboriginal peoples who continue to rely heavily on a variety of informal processes for conveying the knowledge that defines them and is valued by them.

CCL also recognized that although there is a great deal of common ground among the domains of knowledge that non-aboriginal and aboriginal peoples consider important (and therefore worthy of measurement, there are also some very significant differences. These differences are quite clear when the domains of knowledge identified in the three models are examined. But even this superficial comparison doesn't come close to capturing the significance of the differences. For example, for the Inuit, the concept of, "sila" is of overwhelming importance to how they see and understand the world, and all attempts to convey its full meaning through english were clearly wholly inadequate.

So, in approaching the task of designing performance monitoring frameworks for both learning processes and learning outcomes, CCL understood that in order to have validity and acceptance, the frameworks needed to correspond with the unique mental models (and the systemic understanding) of the peoples who were to be addressed in any monitoring program. CCL didn't really know anything about systems thinking or system dynamics when they approached this work. But, they instinctively adopted one of the most powerful and valuable aspects in the SD discipline and, in doing so, allowed the systemic understanding of the three aboriginal peoples to be articulated in the three frameworks, rather than imposing a "western" or euro-centric construct.

It is indeed very unfortunate that CCL's funding was cut. I hope they are successful in finding alternative sources, although making up the 95% of their budget that was provided by the federal government will be a nearly impossible task I fear. I read today that Germany is providing some funding to them. Interesting that there seems to be greater recognition of their value abroad, than at home. Unfortunately, that often seems to be the norm for Canada.