Prior Learning (PLAR)

21st Annual PLA Conference
"Embracing Wholistic Practice"

Ramada Inn, Belleville, ON
Tuesday, June 1 - Friday, June 4, 2010

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Major Outcomes of Three Year PLA Project in Nunavut.
• Bringing Oral Traditions of Indigenous Knowledge into Formal Systems
• Introduction of Training Program for ALFI Practitioners.
• Update on International Indigenous RPL Collective.
• Introduction to PLAR and Portfolio Development.
• Assessing Your Services to Adult Learners.
• FNTI's Approach to PLAR.

Join us as we celebrate FNTI's 25th Year of Service!

Additional Information and Documents

• Call For Presentations
• April 2010 Letter
• Ramada Rooms
  
• Registration Form
  
• Sponsor Letter
  
• Agenda at a Glance

INDIGENOUS LEARNING IN SPOTLIGHT AT FNTI CONFERENCE
Four Day Gathering Will Kick-Off FNTI's 25th Anniversary Celebration

TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY - May 31, 2010 - First Nations Technical Institute's annual PLA Conference, "Embracing Wholistic Practice," will take place June 1 - 4 in Belleville. Held at the Ramada Inn, the prior learning assessment gathering will highlight efforts to recognize Indigenous knowledge in Canada and around the world. It will also mark the first of many events planned to celebrate FNTI's 25th anniversary.

"I'm delighted that we're able to host the conference during FNTI's 25th anniversary as a post-secondary institute," said PLA Manager, Paul Zakos. "PLA has been an important and integral part of FNTI's philosophy and practice from the beginning and it's fitting that we should be celebrating our 25th anniversary during this conference, part of which will see a plenary session devoted to recounting significant events in FNTI's evolution over the past 25 years."

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the process of identifying and recognizing knowledge acquired from non-academic work and life experience, and can include knowledge gained from volunteerism, travel, and hobbies.

Speakers from as far as Nunavut and Chile will collectively highlight the commonalities among Indigenous people across the world in acknowledging unique worldviews and learning styles, which enhances Indigenous peoples full participation in their societies.

"Dr. Joan Conolly will be sharing the work that she has been doing in South Africa, working with the oral traditions of people in that country in helping them to identify important learning arising from their cultures and making culture in that region plural," said Zakos, noting that there are eleven different cultures and languages in South Africa.

Updates including video from the conference will be posted daily on the FNTI blog, www.fnti.blogspot.net, as well as the FNTI Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/fntinews. The complete schedule for the conference is available on the FNTI website: www.fnti.net.

FNTI is an internationally recognized Aboriginal controlled post-secondary institute created in 1985 through a partnership between the Tyendinaga Mohawk Council, Indian & Northern Affairs Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Education & Training to provide access to post-secondary programs for Aboriginal people.

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For more information, or to schedule an interview with PLA Manager, Paul Zakos or any of the conference speakers, please call Joseph Brant at 613-396-2122 ext 158, via cell phone at 613-969-8583, via e-mail at josephb@fnti.net, or contact Paul Zakos directly by means listed above.