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Elmwood students explore math behind Indigenous beadwork

June 29, 2022
Math and science teacher Jenna Forslund has been teaching students proportional reasoning, algebra and coding to design bracelets while they also learn Indigenous perspectives and beadwork techniques.

Students at Elmwood High School have been learning about some of the mathematics behind the intricate designs of Indigenous beadwork.

Math and science teacher Jenna Forslund has been teaching students proportional reasoning, algebra and coding to design bracelets while they also learn Indigenous perspectives and beadwork techniques.

Forslund was awarded the Prime Ministers teaching award in STEM in 2020. Since then, she's made it her goal to infuse social justice in her classroom to reflect STEM. 

"Although I'm a math and science teacher, I don't just teach those subjects. I teach our future. With that sentiment, I have a moral obligation to expose students to different issues and not assume that they will be covered in the Humanities," Ms. Forslund said.

Ms. Forslund was inspired to start the beadwork project after learning about the work of Ruth Beatty, an Associate Professor at Lakehead University. One of Ms. Beatty’s research interests is Anishinaabe ways of knowing mathematics, and how this connects to culturally relevant educational practices.

"I came across a post on Twitter over a year ago about this project done in classrooms in Ontario. I went to Ruth Beatty for mentorship," Ms. Forslund said. "Ms. Beatty was clear from the beginning that this project is rooted in building community and that a member of the Indigenous community must be involved."

To that end, Ms. Forslund connected with Tammy Wolfe, an educator and Indigenous knowledge keeper, to work with the teacher and her students. 

"I'm a consultant, but I was welcomed in the room as a knowledge keeper,” Ms. Wolfe said. “I'm a beadwork facilitator and have been doing this for over ten years. As an educator, math is a very integral part of beadwork. I look to beadwork as medicine. It facilitates holistic healing."

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The project has been a win-win at Elmwood; students have enjoyed the hands-on learning, while also experiencing a more inclusive learning environment and different cultural perspectives.

"I learned to be patient because if you aren't, you can mess up many different parts. I'm thrilled to learn about the Indigenous culture and the different teachings," said Hayden, a Grade 7 student.

Student Thane Wood said the art form had an important social component as well: "Beading is an easy way to connect with other people and your community."

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