As we observe Indigenous History Month, we honor the rich heritage, profound wisdom, and enduring resilience of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. This month offers a vital opportunity to reflect on how we can better integrate Indigenous knowledge and practices into all facets of our society, particularly in areas as crucial as healthcare education.
We are proud to have several Indigenous-led partners developing their own Living Classroom (LC) programs within our funding model. The LC program’s unique adaptability can help align students with Indigenous ways of knowing and culturally sensitive care. The philosophy underpinning the Living Classroom, a learning style that draws from and within the community, is in harmony with the spirit of Indigenous knowledge systems and practices.
Strong relationships, elders’ wisdom, and storytelling are central to Indigenous ways of knowing. Knowledge is not merely acquired; it is lived, shared, and passed down through generations within a holistic framework that connects individuals to their community, land, and ancestors. Learning within a Living Classroom, developed in true partnership within Indigenous communities, can be uniquely tailored to amplify these fundamental values.
Indigenous older adults in care homes can find themselves in environments where caregivers lack an understanding of their culture, beliefs, and traditions. Integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into the learning framework of personal support worker (PSW) programs can significantly enhance outcomes for both students and the Indigenous residents they will care for in long-term care settings.
The Living Classroom model can directly address knowledge gaps by integrating relevant experiential learning and cultural awareness into the PSW curriculum. This approach encourages cultural safety and culturally sensitive care and ensures Indigenous residents feel seen, respected, and safe in their care homes. It empowers PSWs to provide person-centred care that genuinely respects the rich traditions and wisdom of Indigenous peoples, matching how they wish to be treated.
While each Living Classroom is unique and tailored to its specific site and community, the embedded experiential learning ensures that cultural knowledge is not just taught but lived.
Ultimately, the success of a PSW lies not only in their technical skills but also in their approach to care. The Living Classroom helps cultivate essential attributes that mirror the timeless wisdom of the Anishinaabe, Seven Grandfather Teachings, also known as the Seven Sacred Gifts. These teachings serve as a moral and ethical guide for “living well” (Minobimaadizi) and embody the qualities every successful PSW student would ideally take with them into their career:
- Respect (Minwaadendamowin)
- Love (Zaagidiwin)
- Truth (Debwewin)
- Bravery (Aakodewewin)
- Wisdom (Nibwaakawin)
- Generosity (Miigwe’aadiziwin)
- Humility (Dibaadendiziwin)
Through the experiential and customized learning of the Living Classroom model, we are developing compassionate caregivers with a deeper understanding and respect for the people they serve, paving the way for truly holistic and person-centred care for all.
The Living Classroom program is funded by the Ministry of Long-Term Care and led by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA) through the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI), in partnership with the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA).