This Indigenous-created teacher resource is intended to guide music educators in Canada through the process of understanding Indigenous Peoples and provides steps to consider when inviting and working collaboratively alongside local Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers (also referred to as Culture Bearers and other titles specific to region and territory) in music education and community music programs.

Based on the Plains Cree word, wîtaskîwin (pronounced as wee-tuus-kee-win) which generally means “having good relations,” this resource strives to encourage both emerging and veteran teachers of students from grades K-12 to look beyond “ready-made” or “grab-and-go” Indigenous music resources.

This document addresses the history of Indigenous people, impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples, language and culture, and offers current research on Indigenous music and cultural practices. It will provide teachers with helpful and practical approaches to seek and build respectful and meaningful relationships with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers that are necessary to consider and implement when seeking to integrate Indigenous music and knowledge in their classrooms.

• Nicole Schutz
• Sherry Sewepagaham