Workshops
First Nations Financial Literacy: A Millionaire Mindset
“Money makes the world go round and everything in our Indigenous culture is in a circle” –Dallas Arcand–
Format: Seminar / Workshop
Hosted by: Artist and Entrepreneur: Dallas Arcand
Time: 60-90 min
Our ancestors always lived off of the land and were in balance with the seasons as they changed. Indigenous peoples of their respective continents and territories had to be master stewards of the land, ecosystem, knowledge of medicine plants, herbs, natural foods, commerce and trade. Now in the 21st century a lot has changed for our people in the way we live and survive in the future. One of the biggest hurdles we face as Indigenous peoples is financial literacy, both on a personal level and sometimes in professional settings.
Financial literacy is the ability to understand and implement certain valuable skills that can improve your money management. Developing a strong foundation of financial literacy can make it easier for you to achieve your financial goals and avoid certain pitfalls that can harm your financial well-being.
In this session we will focus on these main objectives:
- Budgeting
- Liabilities and assets
- Cash flow
- Passive income (creating multiple sources)
- Investments
- Good debts vs. bad debts (debt management)
- The 70/30 rule (savings & money management)
- Delayed gratification (purchases)
- How to use credit
The Program:
Within this course we will take an Indigenous approach to understanding the adversities we face as Indigenous peoples within the financial world and how to overcome them. The presenter will share his own story and reasons on how and why he became financially literate, as well as a successful business man from the rez that has overcome poverty.
Hoop Dance 101
“Dance like nobody’s watching and connect to the sacred circle of life”
Format: Seminar / Workshop
Hosted by: Three-time world champion hoop dancer: Dallas Arcand
Time: 60-90 min
In this workshop, it is recommended to wear gym/workout type clothing and shoes as we will be doing a lot of movement. Even though this is an introduction to hoop dancing workshop/seminar we still will learn a substantial amount of actual hoop dancing with one hoop.
The Indigenous North American style of hoop dance was practiced as a ceremonial dance specifically to help heal and create balance and harmony in the world. In the original authentic ceremony of our ancestors it was conducted on the land much like the ceremonies we practice today as Indigenous peoples; for example, in my home community of Alexander First Nation (Kipohtakaw), Alberta, we have feasts, sweats, pipe ceremony, Sundance, Roundance(s), Pow-wow, and Soup dance. All of which involves a deep connection and commitment to the land, the language, the dances, songs, and cultural customs.
The Indigenous style of hoop dancing is known to be born in the area of the Taos Pueblo tribe in New Mexico; however, many Indigenous people across North America share some of these common dances for healing and cultural practices. Overall the circle symbol is all about our connection to the great spirit and making with the hoop which leads us into exploring the hoop dancing. Indigenous style of hoop dancing demonstrates different rhythms, momentum, balance, physics, spiritual energy, mental exercise, mathematics, self-expression, and storytelling with the hoops.
Session schedule of activities:
- Intro to group
- Activity 1 warm-up stretch
- Sharing circle
- Hoop Dancersize
- Techniques and combinations
- Fitness Dance routine
- Storytelling and body weaving
- Final dance and conclusion
Indigenous Infused Curriculum 2019
Indigenous infused education; a holistic approach to fulfilling and implementing the core educational values such as cognitive development, fine motor skills training, physics, spiritual enlightenment, mental exercising, mathematics, calculation, history, spatial awareness, group team development, balance, strength training, Indigenous fashion design, arts, and science.
Indigenous Hoop dance 101
This will be an introductory course designed to educate students and participants on the history, methods, techniques, school of thought, cultural teachings and etiquette, basics of hoop dance, and cultural connections. This will foster an opportunity for all students of all cultures to experience and understand Indigenous culture and history in North America by utilizing the art and culture of the hoop dance.
A class scheduled for 30 to 40-minute blocks depends on the age group and grade level. Class size max of 40 students with a full-size gym and assistant teachers, we will also need 40-45 hoops (provided by instructor). This will take 3 classes to successfully advance to the 102-level, which takes more in-depth with skill level and advancement into all of the core areas mentioned above.
Three classes:
Hoop 101.1
- An introduction to the circle philosophy Indigenous perspective on hoop dancing, utilizing circle teachings, proper warm-up and stretches, basics of one hoop, basic one-two steps of our dance, and history of the ceremonial hoop dance.
Hoop 101.2
- An intermediate level of hoop dance, warm up and stretch with strength training exercises, sharing the story of our culture and dance styles, routine development and choreography, practicing hoop techniques while dancing, and advanced circle momentums.
Hoop 101.3
- Advanced level of hoop dancing with one hoop in which students will be challenged to dance as a group utilizing basic steps and rhythms to step it up a bit more.
Collectively we will choreograph and work through a basic routine with one hoop utilizing our counting, cognitive skills, and observation by our sense of spatial awareness.
Time: Approximately 30-40 minute blocks
Learning objectives and outcomes:
- Connection to Indigenous culture(s) Treaty 6 and
- Alternative physical education training and
- Applied experiential learning
- Team building and group
- Applied mathematics by counting, calculating, physics, and
- Fine motor skills training, strengthening, and
- History of the hoop dance and Indigenous cultural
- Cognitive development and critical thinking
Understanding Relationships 101
“Life is relationships…”
Format: Seminar / Workshop
Time: 60-90 min
Understanding relationships is a seminar/workshop designed to explore and comprehend the meaning of life’s relationships. Everything from career and jobs, romantic interest and relationship dynamics, diversity in cultures and ethnicity, to dreams and goals.
Hosted by Dallas Arcand an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and life skills coach; in which, has many accomplishments and accolades of his own such as being a three-time world hoop dance champion, featured speaker on Ted Talks, and a successful artist and producer.
Within this workshop we will discuss and engage on the following topics:
- What are relationships?
- Identifying our life’s purpose?
- Understanding the law of attraction?
- Confidence building and what is our own self-talk?
- Getting the things you want in life? Money? Romance? Business?
- Why it’s important to create balance?
Each participant will be encouraged to take notes and develop a plan as we collectively work through the process of understanding the core values of our life’s purpose and relationships. Overall each participant will be encouraged to follow some of the best life coaches in the business and be let to the necessary material to ensure their continued success in their own lives and careers.
Pow-Wow Dance Aerobics (Health & Wellness)
“You are what you eat and you reap what you sew”
Format: Seminar / Workshop
Hosted by: Three-time world champion hoop dancer: Dallas Arcand
Time: 60-90 min
Traditionally our ancestors always lived off of the land and were in balance with the seasons as they changed. Indigenous peoples have always been resourceful and master stewards of the land, its ecosystem, knowledge of several different plants, herbs, natural foods, and animal proteins. However, over time as progress came with the early settlers, Indigenous people were forever changed when they were gradually assimilated into a foreign culture not accustomed to their traditional standards of living.
Our Indigenous ancestors have been forever changed and no matter how much we reminisce the past we will never live off the land like they once did; however, with passion and persistence, we can reconnect with some of those traditional habits, skills, and knowledge about our foods and lifestyle.
Program:
- Warm-up and stretch: Light to medium-duty physical activity that gets the blood pumping and heart rate going. This will only take about 5-7 minutes to complete.
- Total body workout program in which we will go through a few activities to strengthen and train all the muscles in the body. Total time 5-10 minutes.
- Hoop dancersize will emphasize some hoop dancing techniques to help train our physique to improve overall physical and mental health. By learning and employing these techniques will constantly build confidence in our own personal health.
- Food Alternatives: As part of the presentation in maintaining optimal overall good health and balance we will discuss some of the changes we can make to our daily diet without compromising our overall nutritional value. We will review and discuss the many food alternatives to improve our quality of living and better health. 10-15 minutes.
- Daily living habits to ensure our successful future from day to day, we will review and create a routine to improve and empower ourselves by making a few simple lifestyle changes. 10-15 minutes.
In this workshop, we will simplify a potential solution for creating healthy bodies and healthy minds from a First Nations perspective. By utilizing a simple formula together as we discover in the process of this workshop/seminar.
Holistic Healing: Sacred Hoop Knowledge
“And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people as one of many hoops that made one circle” -Black Elk-
Format: Seminar / Workshop
Hosted by: Three-time world champion hoop dancer: Dallas Arcand
Time: 60-90 min
Our ancestors always lived off of the land and were in balance with the seasons as they changed. Indigenous peoples of their continents and countries had to be master stewards of the land, its ecosystem, knowledge of medicine plants, herbs, natural foods, and animal proteins. The circle of life teaches us and reveals our sacred connections to the world around us, the energies in divine beings, and about the balance of the universe.
Engaging in the teachings of the sacred hoop will enable and empower individuals to be confident, thoughtful, connected to infinite momentum, explore and understand its ceremony and healing powers, and encouraged to look at life through the lens of a sacred hoop.
Program:
- Introduction to what is the Sacred Hoop concept? This will only take about 5-7 minutes to complete.
- Total body warm-up and stretch program in which we will go through a few hoop activities to help strengthen the muscles in the body. Total time 5-10 minutes.
- Understanding Infinite Momentum: to explore and understand circular energy in which is all energy of the universe.
- What is a Hoop Dance Ceremony? An interpretation of what a Hoop Dance Ceremony was, as well as, what healing phenomenon derived from the original actual Sacred Hoop ceremony. Hoop Dance Heals! 10-15 minutes.
- Devine beings and balance in the universe: inspirational insightful knowledge about how the circle or sacred hoop repeats itself throughout nature and the universe. 10-15 minutes.
In this workshop, we will explore a Holistic / Indigenous perspective of what life looks like through the lens of a Sacred Hoop, by utilizing a simple formula together as we discover in the process of this workshop/seminar.
Rez Renoz
Home is what you make it!
Format:
Seminar / Workshop
Hosted by: Dallas Arcand
Time: 60 – 90 minutes
It is well known that first nation housing on reserve can be challenging at times, there’s definitely a housing shortage amongst many communities across North America. Indigenous culture has always been in abundance when living off of the land all of our natural resources were often utilized by our ancestors, with everything from housing, food, clothing, crafts, tools, and ceremonial items. However with the changing times within our history of colonization and assimilation have made it difficult and daunting for our First Nations communities to thrive, and part of it has to do with years of oppression and a cultural shift.
In modern times many first nations people live off-reserve and pay rent or mortgage every month which in many cases is lost revenue from our resources and community. The rent can vary from $800 to $1800 depending on what, where, and how the quality and quantity of the place is. Most houses on reserves are sometimes run down and not fully built up to code, which is a very low standard and quality of living for our people; in addition, much of the homes are not maintained properly and eventually get condemned beyond basic living standards. Many first nations people are angry and frustrated about the living conditions, lack of housing options, and often blame or put the responsibility on our leadership and government.
One simple solution and commitment can change living conditions for First Nations people across North America. So, therefore, we must participate in our own rescue to improve and enhance the quality of living on reserve, by investing our own time and monies into our homes. It’s a simple formula that is attainable and sustainable for anyone to follow simply by paying rent to ourselves by investing in our homes and communities. If we are willing to pay someone else’s rent or mortgage in the city then why can’t we do it for ourselves, because it’s not anyone’s responsibility but our own to make a homestead. So even if we only paid $1000 per month for our own rent in our own home that would be $12,000 per year put towards maintenance and improving the quality of living in our dwellings.
Objectives:
- Self-reliance and empowerment
- Home improvement
- Solving the housing crisis on reserves
- Improving living conditions on reserve
- Taking ownership of our own homes and community
- Independence and self-sufficiency
- Creating our own income properties
Resources and references:
- Holmes on homes (Mike Holmes homeowner education)
- Income properties (Scott McGillivray)
- DIY rescue (Brian Baulmer)
- First Nations housing Canada (CMHC)
