TakingITGlobal

C O N N E C T E D N O R T H : A J O U R N E Y O F T R A N S F O R M AT I O N & W E L L- B E I N G 11 Pathways to Health Promotion and Well-Being The Connected North program has been designed to address these needs and others by promoting Well-Being through multiple means. 1. The remote video feeds provide students with the experience of a virtual field trip enabling them to gain a wider appreciation of the world around them and create a sense of connectedness to that world. Video sessions can inspire students to engage with instructors and artifacts oen as if they were in the same location, stoking curiosity, creativity, and connection to the topic. 2. Classroom exchanges provide further connectivity and a chance for students to learn from their peers in other places and build supportive relationships. For the North, this is vital as it shows students that they share experiences and culture with others whom they may never meet but live in similar circumstances. This enhances their sense of belonging. 3. The format allows two-way communication, which introduces opportunities for students to share their ideas, work, thoughts, and feelings with others. This inspires connection, confidence, and a sense of purpose. It also allows others to provide support and constructive feedback to help them integrate new knowledge and develop their thoughts and ideas while offering that chance for them to share what they know. 4. Interactions with Indigenous role models ranging from elders, storytellers, artists, entrepreneurs and other professionals, can connect students to their culture, history, and language in ways that were previously limited or unavailable. This can ignite a sense of hope for the future and provide encouragement and motivation to maintain and nurture their shared cultural history. 5. Students are given a voice in shaping their educational experience which leads to more personalized lessons, relevant and useful skill development, and mentorship, which engages them in the learning experience more fully. This engagement recognizes the diversity of student interests, needs, and identities, promotes curiosity, and awakens a sense of creativity, joy, and happiness. 6. Connecting with Indigenous leaders allows students to see more of themselves in their teachers, many of whom come from outside of the community. Seeing themselves and their culture represented throughout the classroom experience and curriculum reinforces their identity and strengthens a sense of belonging in school.

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