Stories from Morley's Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles (IWLC)

One of the Further Education Society of Alberta's longest running programs is the Indigenous Workplace Learning Circles (IWLC), hosted at the Stoney Job Resource Centre in Morley, Alberta. This program teaches participants essential job skills like time management, communication, interviewing, and resume building, but also provides an avenue to connect them with their community and their culture, and developing transferable skills.

In February, Facilitators Judy Everson and Shawna Linklater conducted a week long IWLC Program. The program opened with a prayer and smudge, and then an icebreaker. The participants would pull a card from a deck of affirmation cards and read it aloud.

A special guest was also invited to join the program during the week, Margaret Holloway the First Nation's Princess from Morley, AB Chiniki Band. Margaret met the staff, toured the building, and joined in on the drum making and ribbon skirt sewing.

One of the group activities was the Indigenous Moon activity, where the participants draw using colours, as many to indicate the natures' environment within their birth month. All they can see in nature in the month, including animals, birds, and plants. After being shown the drawing, the group guessed what month it is on the calendar year, and indicate what the Stoney Moon is called in the Stoney language definition.

FESA Practicum Students from Mount Royal were also invited to attend. They got to learn by doing and saw the work that goes into the IWLC and how it helps the learners:

I really enjoyed getting to observe the IWLC program in Morley. The highlight of my experience there was smudging before we began the program. It set a calming and relaxed tone for the rest of the day. -- Aza, FESA Practicum Student

 The lesson that [the IWLC] has personally taught me, is that as a facilitator I have to be flexible with my lesson plans and adjust to the needs of clients. The facilitator guide is a vital tool, but it is still just a guide, as it is up to the facilitator to call the shots. My experience at Morley reminds me that learning takes place in different forms and that learning the traditions of one’s culture is a valid way to learn important life skills. - Kirin, FESA Practicum Student

If this program sounds interesting to you, we have another IWLC upcoming in Morley from March 11th to 15th. Head to the Stoney Nation Job Resource Centre website to sign up. If you would like more information on the IWLC program, you can contact Krissy at 403-250-5034 or kchutskoff@furthered.ca.