April 30, 2008 - Read around the Planet Final Session

02 May, 2008 by valmore

April 30, 2008, La Ronge, Saskatchewan – Keewatin Career Development Corporation (KCDC) is pleased to have hosted Read around the Planet on our Knowledge and Career Development Network – KCDN SaskTel Breaking Barriers Series. We had 12 classrooms match up with other sites in Alberta and the United States. These connections took place from Feb 26, 2008 – April 30, 2008.


Pictured: Students at Nisto Awasisak School,
Cumberland House Cree Nation, SK

On Wednesday, April 30, 2008 from 9:00am – 10:00am Nisto Awasisak School in Cumberland House First Nation connected via video conference with St. Clair County in Marysville, Michigan and presented to each other on their history and community.

The following schools participated showcasing the history and culture of their communities:
Frog Lake First Nation, AB connected with Hunters Woods Elementary School in Reston, Virginia.
Saddle Lake First Nation, AB connected with Safford Unified School in Safford, Arizona, Chinook Edge School in Olds, Alberta, Palliser Regional School in Lethbridge, AB and John D Bracco School in Edmonton, AB
Morley First Nation, AB connected with Genesee School in Flint, Michigan, Elm Drive School in Millbrook, New York, Wappingers School in Wappingers Falls, New York, Mustang Valley School in Mustang, Oklahoma
Black Lake First Nation, SK connected with King Edward School in Edmonton, AB

Read around the Planet is an activity that was open to all K-12 students (ages 6-18) in public and private schools who have access to two-way interactive video conferencing equipment. (IP H.323 or ISDN H.320) Each class was matched with a class from a different location and each class exchanged reading activities.

KCDN Season 2 runs from October 15, 2007 through to May 15, 2008, and is supported by Indian and Northern Affairs’ First Nation SchoolNet Program. Since the beginning of Season 2 we have had over 4000 students and over 480 teachers in 70 schools participate in the KCDN SaskTel Breaking Barriers Series.

This leading edge, innovative series of educational video conference programming for schools has provided students with insight into careers, interaction with role models, and communication with Elders.

These programs help students better prepare to enter the labor market through providing valuable information about careers and understand the requirements of employers. Valuable connections between corporations and their future labor force are made through the series.

The SaskTel Breaking Barriers Series is part of KCDC’s developments under the Knowledge and Career Development Network (KCDN). The KCDN is being used to bring video conference programming, distance learning opportunities, and enhanced communication to Aboriginal communities across Saskatchewan and Alberta.

More information about the SaskTel Breaking Barriers Series, a calendar of programs, and archived programs can be found at KCDN Website


Pictured Above: Students at St. Clair County School, Marysville, Michigan