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L’nuita’simk Kina’matneweyiktuk: Knowing, Being and Doing Education the Mi’kmaw Way.
No full textThe purpose of this research project focused on L’nuita’smik (knowing, being, and doing education the Mi’kmaw way) was to assist teachers in the classrooms of Mi’kmaw schools in understanding and seeing how education can be decolonized. My grandparents and parents attended residential school, Indian day school, and/or boarding schools. Their schooling was completely in an English environment where neither the Mi’kmaw language nor culture was valued. The hope was that Mi’kmaw students would become civilized Christians. Many Mi’kmaw students left school early with very limited life skills and robbed of their own language, value, and culture. This form of education did not provide much success for the L’nu people. The colonial way of educating was not beneficial to Mi’kmaw students. The aim of this study was to provide examples for L’nu teachers of how using L’nuita’simk (knowing, being and doing education the Mi’kmaw way) can decolonize their schools. My study looked at how one community changed the way its children and youth were educated, incorporating culturally relevant pedagogy and embracing the epistemology of the community of Wagmatcook The administration and teachers used methods of L’nuita’simk throughout the school and the students are happier to be there; it is their safe place. The success of this approach is demonstrated by the number of students graduating from high school and continuing to postsecondary education. The graduating students are now employable in the community and outside. The work of indigenous academics was reviewed for this project, and it is their work that guided this research. Battiste’s (2010, 2013) work on decolonizing education for the Mi’kmaq schools was relevant in this research. Archibald’s (2008) storywork methodology proved most relevant because this is the story of Wagmatcook School (WS) as an example of L’nuita’simk. WS shows others how a successful school can implement L’nuita’simk in the daily routine. WS is successful in demonstrating L’nuita’simk because the Chief and Council, the Elders, and the community support the administration and staff at the school. From the moment people walk into WS they feel safe, and welcome, which creates a sense of happiness. Everyone is greeted with a smile and the smell of sage and sweet grass is so comforting. The principal starts the day with a smudge and prayer. This is L’nuita’simk. The results of the research highlight the success of the efforts in decolonizing Wagmatcook School. The administration, teachers, and staff all have a single goal: the success of the students. L’nuita’simk is the method for success. In interviews the participants showed their commitment to this mission. In their stories, each of them gave clear examples of the mentoring, sharing, and networking that happens and pointed to Immersion as the best way for the students to learn. Through L’nuita’simk we can retain and revitalize the Mi’kmaw language and culture. It is important that we know Ta’n wetapeksi’k (where we come from) to know where we want to go. To be successful, we must be proud of being L’nu
Mary Viola (Sampson) Touesnard
No full textposted: SaltWire, Feb. 9, 2021; funeral arrangements by Green's Funeral Hom
Mathematical Modeling in Epidemiology: A Case Study of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia
No full textAs the distribution of vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 to provinces across Canada begins, it is apparent that vaccination strategies differ considerably among provinces. This variation in vaccination strategies provided the basis for the goal of our research. Our goal was to investigate the trade-off of increasing vaccination efforts towards the elderly population as the total disease transmission becomes increasingly concentrated to young adults, and to quantify the effects of this tradeoff on total infections and mortalities. We hypothesized that as young adults increasingly occupy a larger proportion of the total disease transmission within the population, the total number of infections would increase, and that the total number of deaths would decrease with increasing vaccination efforts toward older people. Our model follows the framework of a compartmental Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered (SEIR) Model. The model includes an age-based component that assigns individuals to age classes which influence their risk of transmission and mortality. Our hypothesis was supported, as the total number of deaths declined with increasing proportion of the total available vaccines being allocated to people over the age of 60, and total number of infections increased as the proportion of the population’s total transmission rate was increasingly concentrated to members of the 20 to 40 age class. Additionally, as the spreading of disease became increasingly concentrated to those between the ages of 20 to 40, the total number of infections became more sensitive to vaccinating the older population first. Future directions include informing public health officials of the two key factors which should be taken into account when deciding on the most effective vaccine roll out plan: the rates of transmission among young adults and the priority we give to vaccinating the elderly. It will also be informative to further develop the current model to better capture the true transmission dynamics within the population by implementing age-based contact networks
A’ tarraing Gàidheil Ghlinne Garraidh bho thobair Mhic-Talla
No full textThis thesis investigates the Gaelic heritage of Glengarry County, Ontario, by analyzing contributions made by or about Gaels of Glengarry County in Mac-Talla (1892–1904), a historically and culturally significant all-Gaelic newspaper published in Sydney, Nova Scotia. While Glengarry County has long been recognized as a major Gaelic settlement in Canada, no study to date has systematically examined Gaelic narratives concerning the Gaels of Glengarry in Mac-Talla. This research uses a textual analysis to explore the themes and values present in news items, including letters, song-poems, and articles. It examines how these texts reflect the Gaels of Glengarry County’s perceptions of their community, language, and cultural identity. The findings reveal that the Gaels of Glengarry County placed particular emphasis on ancestry, agriculture, hospitality, and military experience. Moreover, evidence suggests that Mac-Talla played a key role in fostering Gaelic literacy and sustaining a sense of collective belonging amid language decline. By foregrounding these Gaelic narratives, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of Gaelic heritage in Glengarry County at the turn of the 20th century
John Maurice Angus MacDonald
No full textposted: SaltWire, Mar. 29, 2021; funeral arrangements by Dennis Haverstock Funeral Homes; "Angus"
Gregory George Mombourquette
No full textposted: SaltWire, Feb. 6, 2021; funeral arrangements by Green's Funeral Hom
Connecting Men through Fitness: An Analysis of Comradery, Cohesion and Quality of Life
No full textThe importance of accessible physical activity programs designed to improve older adults’ physical activity habits and ultimately their quality of life cannot be understated. Group dynamic is a significant predictor of adherence to these programs (Eys, Bruner & Martin, 2019). This study examined the relationship of comradery and cohesion on quality of life in older men participating in a physical activity program. Participants of Fit 4 Men, a physical activity program for older men were recruited to participate in this study. A mixed methods approach gathered data using questionnaires and one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale-8 (PACES-8), Physical Activity Group Environment Questionnaire (PAGEQ) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were completed by 13 participants pre- and post-program. Telephone interviews were conducted post-program with four men purposively chosen. Although no statistical differences were found in the questionnaire data pre- and post-program when comparisons were made for the total scores, there were significant increases in individual attractions to the group-task (t(12)=0.030, p=0.032) and individual attractions to the group-social (t(12)=-2.479, p=0.029) subscales of the PAGEQ. Interview data confirmed the importance of comradery and cohesion connected to the physical activity program and its relationship to the participants’ quality of life. Thematic analysis revealed several themes and commonalities including: quality of life, behavioural change, independence, new people, similar goals, motivating group atmosphere and inclusivity. These themes were organized using the socio-ecological model which allowed me to classify the themes under certain categories specifically: interpersonal, intrapersonal and perceived environment. This study demonstrated the importance of learning from the men and their ‘lived experiences,’ allowing me to better understand how Fit 4 Men shaped their attitudes and wellbeing
A magnetic fabric study to assess structural and tectonic controls on the emplacement of the Greendale Igneous Complex, Antigonish Highlands, Nova Scotia
No full textPhyllis Elizabeth (Scanlan) MacDonnell
No full textposted: Le Necrologue, Echovita; funeral arrangements by Dennis Haverstock Funeral Home
Shirley Marie (Hinkley) Phillips
No full textposted: SaltWire, Oct. 18, 2021; funeral arrangements by Green's Funeral Hom