Library News

NEW WESTERN/NORTHERN CANADIAN WEBSITE TO SUPPORT TEACHING ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES, CULTURES

http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/ab_languages/

In this website you will find

This website links users to provincial and territorial Aboriginal Languages and Cultures websites from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

WNCP Framework - The Western Canadian Protocol Common Curriculum Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Cultures Program (2000) document.

Aboriginal Languages and Cultures Websites - Western provinces and territorial websites contain validated provincial and territorial teaching and learning resources.

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MANITOBA GOVERNMENT NEWS RELEASE
News Media Services, Rm 29, Legislative Bldg.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 0V8
Ph: (204) 945-3746 Fax: (204) 945-3988
E-MAIL nmservices@leg.gov.mb.ca
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June 21, 2004

Manitoba's Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson today
launched the new Western and Northern Canadian Protocol (WNCP) website on
Aboriginal languages and cultures.

The site was developed as a collaborative effort involving the governments
of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon Territory, the
Northwest Territories and, since 2000, Nunavut. This initiative stems from
a December 1993 agreement by western and northern education ministers to
collaborate on basic education development.

"Just a few years ago, researchers predicted only three of Manitoba's seven
Aboriginal languages-Cree, Ojibwe and Dakota-would survive beyond the 21st
century," Bjornson said. "All of our governments are hopeful that working
together on projects such as developing this website and sharing current
resources will help preserve, maintain and promote the rich cultural
heritage and languages of Aboriginal people."

Information on the joint website will include a comprehensive range of
Aboriginal language resources from curriculum development and teaching
guides to the history of how various languages developed. Teachers,
students, parents and the public will have access to information about
language structure, grammar, pronunciation and verb tenses. Learning tools
such as songs and stories that have been translated will also be available.

Bjornson noted this WNCP initiative was co-led by Helen Settee of Manitoba's
Aboriginal Education Directorate and Terry Myers of Saskatchewan's Strategic
Partnerships and Aboriginal Education Branch. Myers assumed the co-chair
role from Gloria Mehlmann of Saskatchewan's Aboriginal Education Unit
earlier this year.

In June 2000, the Western and Northern Canadian Protocol released the
document Common Curriculum Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Culture
Programs Kindergarten to Grade 12. The publication includes a letter from
Aboriginal elders to government officials that states: "We ask that you
accept the responsibility of this document in the spirit in which it was
prepared-that of building a bridge of hope between the home and the school."

"The ministers of education in the provinces and territories involved in
this initiative support working together to increase awareness and develop
strategies to ensure Aboriginal languages and cultures become part of the
overall education system," Bjornson said. "We agree this website is an
important resource and will become part of the foundation of future plans as
we work toward realizing the elders' vision."

Women's Studies and Feminism

Reference Call Number: HQ 1180 I53 2002

"The area of women's studies and feminist literature is particularly problematic for information seekers because it is interdisciplinary, dynamic and (even now) unconventional. The purpose of this book is provide general background on information in the area, pointers to major sources and active strategies for people seeking information" (from back of book).

Dictionary of the Middle Ages

Reference D 114.D5
Over 10 years ago I was a freshly minted Librarian working in the Reference Department at the Elizabeth Dafoe Library at the University of Manitoba. With no background in the middle ages, until we received our copy of the Dictionary of the Middle Ages, I would quake inside when approached with a "medieval" question.

The Dictionary of the Middle Ages soon became my favourite reference book, and it still is!
The DMA is really more like an encyclopedia than a dictionary, with 13 volumes and 1 supplement. The articles are usually a few pages long and are followed by bibliographies that list the most important works for more information.
View a Tutorial about looking up witchcraft the Dictionary of the Middle Ages
Information about the Supplement

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