Prairie Aboriginal Tech Services
A primary goal of our team and our work is to protect traditional knowledge for the benefit of future generations. Simultaneously, historical and ongoing misappropriation and erasure of traditional Indigenous knowledge and language has been one of the largest and most harmful impacts of colonization.
We provide written outlines of some knowledge here in the settler language with the intent that those who need the knowledge will respectfully sit with us to receive the teachings in the traditional oral and practical ways. The knowledge described on this page is not our knowledge, but one way to describe part of the collective knowledge of the Cree and neighboring Indigenous peoples.
Please reach out to us if you would like to adapt or incorporate this knowledge into your practices. As with all professional and technical information, applying the text below without adequate supervision, training, or permission may result in unintended outcomes for oneself and one's communities.
The traditional curriculum supports both traditional learning and healing through Nêhîyaw worldview and identity. Students will be guided by elders and traditional knowledge keepers on a journey of revitalizing sacred Indigenous practices of education and healing. The curriculum stands as a beacon of hope for the spirits of Indigenous nations who survived the era of Indian Residential Schools and dream that one day, Indigenous ceremonies, language, and culture, will come back even stronger.
The vision of the curriculum is to provide people from all walks of life with the opportunity to find true healing by connecting to their spirits and developing a meaningful relationship with the Creator.
The curriculum aims to create healthier nations by helping individuals understand their natural identities through connecting to the land, empowering their spirit, and working for the Creator. Through a combination of oral history, experiential learning, and community engagement, participants will gain insights into the rich spiritual traditions of Indigenous culture, the significance of land-based education, and the healing practices that have sustained these Indigenous peoples for generations. Students will learn culture through hands-on practice with both elders and traditional knowledge keepers to develop a transformative understanding of Nêhîyaw Pimâtsiwin (the Cree Way of Life).
The courses are designed to provide students with the underlying foundations of knowledge that will prepare them with the skills necessary prior to moving on to the next module. The Elders or traditional knowledge keepers will have to gauge when students are ready to move on, or when the module should be repeated.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with the underlying foundations of knowledge that will prepare them with the skills necessary prior to moving on to the next module. The elders or traditional knowledge keepers will have to gauge when students are ready to move on, or when the module should be repeated.
When beginning this course with participants, introductions will be made with Elder Fred Campion and or the traditional knowledge keepers and helpers. Students will be provided with the opportunity to introduce themselves and meet the elders and traditional knowledge keepers of the Academy. Here, basic protocols will be discussed to prepare students for the next courses. Students will be invited to join introductory sharing circles and tipi teachings to complete the following lessons before moving on to the next course lesson.
When beginning this course participants must be gathered and taught by Elders or traditional knowledge keepers about the importance of Creation stories and the practice of passing down oral history. You can refer to these Pillars of Oral History as a knowledge base to provide the foundation of knowledge necessary to internalize meaningful comprehension.
Learning to pray is the first step in making a meaningful connection to the Creator. There is no wrong way to pray, and prayer can be developed over time through practice and understanding the process of becoming connected to your own spirit. The Nêhîyawak are spiritual people, and their worldview requires a deep connection to the land and the spiritual world.
This course takes a step further into understanding the parts that make up the ceremonial protocol used to make a spiritual offering in a ceremony. Understanding these protocols is necessary to have a comprehensive view of giving more than receiving when you are learning about Indigenous spirituality.
This course will provide hands-on lessons in using traditional medicine where students are encouraged to build a meaningful relationship with them. They will learn the protocols of smudging and the teachings behind why smudging is an essential part of Nêhîyaw cultural identity. They will learn when an appropriate time is to smudge and how it can help students and others connect to their spirit.
In Course 201, students will be introduced to their spiritual identity by understanding the meaning of obtaining a spiritual name and the teachings behind it. They will learn the meaning of obtaining their spiritual colours and understand how they can be used to further their spiritual development. They will have the opportunity to research their own familial lineage and ancestry to better place themselves in this world.
In Course 202, students will learn the importance of relationships from the Nêhîyaw (Cree) perspective and how Mîyo-Wâkohtowin is the bedrock of all Cree law. We begin by discussing the term "Mîyo-Wâkohtowin" and its meaning: the bond and relationship between family members and the broader community. Students will learn that for Indigenous peoples, kinship goes beyond immediate family and includes a sense of connection with all living beings, the land, and ancestors. They will learn stories and examples from different Indigenous cultures that highlight the diverse ways kinship is expressed and celebrated.
In Course 203, participants will delve into the profound understanding that laws are not mere rules but precious gifts from the Creator. The teaching emphasizes the importance of recognizing the consequences of breaking these laws, which offer a path toward connection with the spirit and the Creator. The teaching further delves into the core principles of Law, each of which holds significant teachings for a balanced and harmonious life.
In Course 204, participants will comprehensively explore the Protocols of Spiritual Safety, focusing on the crucial importance of creating a safe and respectful environment within Indigenous spiritual practices. Through in-depth discussions and practical guidance, students will learn how to prioritize spiritual safety, ensure continuous vigilance, and understand the potential consequences of neglecting these protocols.
In Course 205, participants will delve into the fundamental principles of the Protocols of Spiritual Accountability, focusing on key values that guide personal and communal growth within Indigenous communities. Through thoughtful discussions and self-reflection, students will explore the significance of sobriety, integrity, commitment, maintaining good relations, and humility in fostering a strong spiritual foundation.
In Course 301, students will learn the basic survival skills practiced by Indigenous peoples since immemorial. They will be taught how to survive on the land and learn how to use essential land-based tools independently.
The objective of Course 302 is to delve into the ways Indigenous knowledge upholds ecological equilibrium through sustainable hunting practices. Pivotal principles underscore this pursuit. Indigenous hunting traditions are founded upon a profound comprehension of ecological dynamics. Beyond mere animal harvesting, hunting is a vital thread in the intricate tapestry of ecosystem well-being. This intricate wisdom guides the precise timing, strategic locales, and hunting methods to thwart overexploitation, thus championing the long-term health of our natural realms.
In Course 303, participants will engage in an immersive exploration of Open Ceremonial Practices, focusing on the artistic and cultural elements that contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Indigenous ceremonies. Through hands-on experiences and guided instruction, students will connect with the power of music, rhythm, and movement integral to these ceremonies.
This course is a transformative exploration of traditional rites of passage that mark significant life transitions and spiritual advancements. Students will learn from Elders and knowledge keepers about the critical stages of life and the ceremonies that facilitate growth and understanding within the community.
This course guides students through various practices and ceremonies aimed at purifying the spirit and reinforcing spiritual well-being. With the guidance of Elders and traditional knowledge keepers, students will engage in introspection, community healing, and traditional ceremonies that serve as a bridge to deeper understanding and spiritual renewal.
In Course 401, participants will embark on a sacred journey of Following the Laws of the Ospwâkan (Sacred Pipe), focusing on the profound teachings and ceremonies associated with the sacred pipe within Indigenous cultures. Through immersive teachings and experiential guidance, students will explore the Laws of the Pipe, participate in pipe ceremonies, engage in feasts, and learn about the spiritual significance of sweat lodges.
In Course 402, participants will enter the realm of Closed Ceremonial Practices, focusing on sacred ceremonies traditionally restricted to specific individuals or groups within the Nêhîyaw Pimâtsewin (Cree way of life). Through respectful exploration and guided teachings, students will gain insights into the significance of Closed Ceremonial Practices, including pipe resting and the Night Lodge ceremony.
In Course 403, participants will delve into the realm of Traditional Medicine and gain profound insights into healing practices cherished by Indigenous communities for generations. Through interactive experiences and guidance from knowledgeable Elders, students will connect with the wisdom of the past and explore the significance of holistic healing methods. By now students should have enough knowledge to carry these medicines and the protocols that go with healing others.
In Course 404, participants will embark on a transformative journey of Becoming Skillful and serving the Creator, focusing on learning and applying the Creator's laws to their everyday lives. Through immersive teachings and practical guidance, students will gain a deeper understanding of these laws and their role in fostering personal growth, community well-being, and spiritual connection.
In Course 405, participants will embark on a profound journey of Living with the Laws of the Creator, guided by the wisdom and experience of Elder Fred Campion. This module offers a unique opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge by developing projects or programs that contribute to revitalizing Indigenous culture and spirituality. Additionally, students will embrace the role of mentors as they teach what they have learned to beginner students.
This training is designed for professionals who work with or serve Indigenous peoples. It introduces learners to the core concepts, relationships, responsibilities, and practices of Nêhîyaw Pimâtsiwin (the Cree way of life) and Cree identity. The training is designed to help learners gain foundational knowledge about Indigenous spiritual and cultural practices as they relate to recovery from colonization impacts, problematic substance use, trauma, exclusion, lateral violence, and related experiences, realities, and challenges. The foundational knowledge is taught according to traditional Indigenous practice which brings together knowledge keepers and learners of diverse abilities and experiences to collaboratively share knowledge that is most relevant to them. According to this holistic model of understanding, the specific sequence of learning matters less than the relationships among the ideas taught. A body of teachings for learners to explore is contained in the Curriculum. The Indigenous Foundations training can draw from a range of teachings from the Curriculum depending on the duration and participants of the training. Oral teachings are founded on showing respect for teachers and storytellers by learning how to listen with the mind and the heart. The learning space is emotionally safe and caring with proper protocols to the land and the spirits–humans, animals, plants, rocks–and the Creator. The lessons should be in a physical environment that supports interactions and learning.
This schedule condenses training into four consecutive full days. The subjects may be taught over a different number of days or total hours at the discretion of the instructors and learners.
Day 1 - Mind
Day 2 - Spirit
Day 3 - Emotion
Day 4 - Body
Consistent with traditional Cree methods of teaching, lessons build on learners’ existing knowledge and what they are curious about. Everyone in the room helps participants to decide what they wish to learn. Everyone collaborates to create the learning environment by planning ahead and being fully prepared. Involving learners in this way empowers them to decide to fully participate. The traditional and ceremonial activities taught in this training can become the foundations of daily activities in recovery communities, where learners will have opportunities to learn and demonstrate healthy relationships, patterns, responsibilities, and leadership. The teachings here can be combined with success stories of culturally informed recovery. People who are inspired to start on or support sustainable lifestyles can use the foundational knowledge and connections with the spiritual family to build personal and capacity for wellness.
This set of courses outlines the distinctive traditions of several Indigenous groups who currently reside in and around Treaty 8 and Treaty 6 territories.
The lessons are intended to be given in a safe and trauma-informed space for women from distinct backgrounds and Indigenous traditions to share, discuss, and learn, rather than to prescribe or mandate any particular understanding of Indigenous women’s teachings. While these lessons are primarily focused on women, this course can also help men to fulfil their responsibilities to learn their roles in the context of collaborating with women to sustain families and communities, to help create safe spaces for all, and to help undo the harms of colonialism.
This course supports learners to learn about the traditional and contemporary Indigenous women in their families and nations. Elders use traditional teaching methods to ground learners in spirituality and ceremony as a foundation to build traditional and applied knowledge. As the carriers of water, women sustain and nurture life and relationships with all the connected spirits on the land. Learnings and protocols will help prepare learners for future training in traditional knowledge, supporting healing and wellness, teaching future generations, and leadership.
This course provides learners with fundamental knowledge about the life stages, roles and responsibilities of Indigenous women, pregnancy, raising children, and passing on knowledge and traditions. It explores traditional and contemporary ways of understanding the journey of womanhood and empowering Indigenous women to claim their journey and identity. Learners will honour and appreciate their roles as women, both as students and teachers in enacting and passing on traditions and knowledge about women’s roles and responsibilities.
This course elaborates on the roles and responsibilities of women in community and ceremony. The lessons review women’s traditional roles as hunters, gatherers, and preparers of foods and medicines; tenders of fire; crafters of household and traditional items; keepers of the camp; and responsibilities related to food. Learners also gain insight into historical reasons that women were excluded from ceremony as well as how to address those colonial impacts in respectful ways to reconnect women with spirituality and culture.
Indigenous Social Science 101 will equip people who serve or support Indigenous community members with an understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and worldviews as they relate to healing. This course helps learners to understand how Indigenous experiences and perspectives of relationships, Treaty and history, spirituality, and language affect individual and community healing. By learning about the intergenerational and cyclical dimensions of Indigenous peoples’ knowing and being, practitioners will enhance their ability to provide more effective and supportive services for Indigenous community members. Learners will be able to apply knowledge from this course to better plan, connect, and implement services with Indigenous peoples in mind in their professional, workplace, and community environments.
This is not a “cultural competence” course in the sense that learners will come to appreciate that there are diverse peoples on Turtle Island, or that there are distinctions within and among Indigenous groups. The intent of this course is to support the learner to consider how Indigenous peoples might see and experience settler environments. This course encourages open dialogue, self-reflection, and a commitment to ongoing development of relationships and knowledge. Respectful engagement with course materials and a willingness to apply learning in real-world contexts are essential for success.
Week 1: Introduction and Indigenous Relationship "Wahkotowin"
Week 2: Treaty 101 History - "Where it All Began"
Week 3: Treaty 101 History - "Elders' Worldview"
Week 4: Indigenous "Spirituality" Worldview
Week 5: Indigenous Languages
Week 6: Summary / Conclusion
