“Educators respect and value the history of First Nations, Inuit and Metis in Canada and the impact of the past on the present and the future. Educators contribute towards truth, reconciliation and healing. Educators foster a deeper understanding of ways of knowing and being, histories and cultures of First Nations, Inuit and Metis.”
Educators along with First Peoples Principles of Learning should help work towards truth, reconciliation and healing. Whether it is incorporating First Peoples knowledge into lessons or helping students understand and become knowledgeable of the First Nations around them. Educators themselves should understand and become knowledgeable as well and not be afraid of it. Teaching the truth to some who may not know or have a clouded view. There are lots of ways to learn and gain understanding. Educators can participate in ProD days that have Indigenous knowledge, asking around the community and even asking Indigenous Education Workers at the schools, reading books etc.
In my third practicum, I was placed at an Indigenous choice school. Everything they do is to help further the Dalkeh culture and help everyone in the school understand and appreciate the culture and traditions.
There are no bells in the school at all. Which I liked and only ever experienced only one bell not be there. With no bells, it made it so everything didn’t seem rushed and the day didn’t seem so strict. If the teacher and the students want to spend more time outside they can. One of my favorite parts of the experience was to start the day and welcome everyone, a group of students and the Indigenous Education Workers drummed over the speakers. The students also participated in the singing. It was a powerful way to start the day. I felt my nerves melt away every time they did it. Also, my practicum class almost every day had a talking circle. We would sit in a circle, we’d all introduce ourselves in Dakelh, then talk about how we were feeling that day. Then the person running the circle got to ask a question, like how was your weekend? What video game would you be in? Which lightened the mood after some deep talks. Throughout the time at the school the use of Dakelh language not just to tick off a box or just to say they did. Truly using it all over the school by everyone. Having an entire block dedicated to it. I loved seeing language being shared and preserved. Traditions and knowledge sharing that I got to experience and learn about is Devil’s Club processing and harvesting, an eagle harvest, giving back to the land when taking from it, using all of the animals, talks from Clayton Gauthier a local artist who took the time to come talk to my class about life and art. Drumming at the school, on field trips, and during any celebration.
Having this whole experience really was inspiring. I’m so glad I got the opportunity to be at the school and feel so welcomed.
