What?

Normally I would start this blog out with your typical hook and then give y’all a thesis but listen here: we attended hours of an Indigenous Day Workshop full of gold, and you’re going to hear the “what, so what, now what” to a collaboration of my reflection to four different presentations and the points.   From our leading keynote Dustin Louis speaking to “Transforming our approach to Indigenous Education,” two session speakers Leyton Schnellert and Victoria Duroche and closing keynote speaker, Dr. Niigaanwewidam Sinclair speaking to reconciliation is about the future, there was a lot to absorb, take note of and some that even raised an eyebrow.

So What?

Dustin Louis made great points in regards to spelling out some major vocabulary for us.  He was able to unravel the blunt surface to the meanings of reconciliation, white supremacy and cognitive dissonance.  He really drove home the point that reconciliation is not an apology, it “is about creating a relationship of mutual respect.” I found this interesting because it is far too often that I hear whispers about “how much longer are you going to get tax free sh*t just because you’re an Indian?” or “I didn’t do anything to you or any native, why am I paying for something I have nothing to do with?” Dustin Louis has cleared it up that we are not “reconciling about the past but it’s how to right the present [we are] reconciling for colonization [because] assimilation is a special brand of relationship between human beings imposed by colonialism” (Baldwin, 1954) So no, you aren’t “responsible” for the actions of the past, but yes, we are responsible for the actions of the future.  My favourite quote that was also mentioned by Mr. Louis was the typical “but I treat everyone the same!” Hah! My thoughts right before he said them were: “but would you treat all your students the same even though they all have different backgrounds and needs?” That really puts it in perspective how we think about our diverse cultures, not just our First Nations Peoples of Canada.

At this point, Dustin brought out the word “white supremacy” and you can imagine how that’s going to be absorbed… ya it’s not.  But he drove the point home that “white supremacy is not just Nazis and the KKK, it’s about decolonizing which requires the colonizer to recognize and challenge their own socialized presumptions of superiority.” (Portras Pratt, Louie, Ottoman & Hanson) You and I both know this could be an entire 25 page paper about reconciliation and we wouldn’t even scratch the surface, but when children are ripped out of their homes, forced them to abandon their culture, beaten if ever breathing of their culture, forced to  assimilate, abused, disrespected, ill-educated and then once stripped of their identity are expected to go into the world and distribute “greatness?” Yeah… I think we’ve seen enough of those repercussions to know that generations today are still affected of “yesterdays” wrongs. It will take time, “it will take courage,” (Brad Backer) and it will take education to right the wrongs of the past.

Now What?

“Education got us into this mess, and education will get us out.” – Murray Sinclair

“It’s about taking the first step.”  I do not know how many times I have heard this said over the course of today but it really means getting over yourself, your insecurities, your fears and buckling down to deliver a message to educate your classroom, family and community because “we are all related.” (FPPL) Dr. Niigaanwewidam Sinclair stated that it is our responsibility as educators, and just as important as implementing the curriculum, to teach about Truth and Reconciliation.  But where do you start if you feel insecure about your knowledge, your background, your delivery or whether or not what you’re teaching is “right?” Dustin Louis said that “just bringing an elder or district employee into your classroom will not suffice.” No, you’re right, but it’s a start! I wanted to shed some light on my own personal start about teaching about my culture in the classroom:

I have no clue where to begin… I have never had any formal education on First Nations Peoples, I have never seen a delivery of FPPL in practice, I know nothing, I do not want to be judged for BEING First Nations myself and getting “it wrong…” what do I do?  I was there. I was a rookie teacher with the exact same concerns and fears about implementing “new” ways of learning, knowing and being in the classroom (as so many are!) so I did what we all do when we have to teach a subject area we are uncomfortable with: we bring in an expert.  I was able to bring in Miss Holli Garvin who works with our District and I told her I had nothing particular in mind, just if she could show up and provide anything, I’d be happy to feed off it and go from there.  This brilliant woman came into my Gr. 6/7 class and taught the stories of the astrological animals, their meanings and more… from there I was able to create a unit that allowed students to dive into their identity, become creative and explore different beliefs regarding different animals and give credit to those beliefs based on the what definition they found from different bands. Then we drove into creating our animals using traditional Northwest Coast Artwork… etc. etc. But I would have never have got my foot wet, if it weren’t for inviting Holli into my classroom to start. Because of Holli, I as a teacher grew in my practice to be able to implement FPPL and participate with my students, have them watch me learn, and then we grew together from there. Wow- even reflecting on this, I am so grateful.

As a teacher, because of the start Holli gave me, I was able to further provide my class with a “change in engagement” by: “allowing students to demonstrate what they know, develop identity, increase self-awareness, provide support to believe in themselves and opportunities for self investigation.” (Leyton Schnellert. Land as our Teacher.)

I have to admit, not seeing any First Nations Teaching Principles really implemented (with the exception of my mother) throughout my childhood, adolescence and young adult life… I can see why teachers who have been in the profession for years are afraid to approach this “new” way of knowing, being and learning. For myself, I have been slowly adding more FPPL into my classroom over the years, and find myself “creating a compact learning unit” or “schedule” with my learnings, which many times contradicts what we are trying to accomplish.  It’s so easy to get wrapped up in “knowing” reconciliation, artwork, history, language etc. but I think the part that has hit me the hardest reviewing the FPPL during this Indigenous Education Day…  is my failure as a teaching to implement the “being” aspect to my teaching practice?  I am glad I get this chance to reflect on my last three years of teaching and build upon how I can create a space for my students to go forth and just “be” along with their “knowing” and “learning.”

 

Cheers,

 

I.Am.A.Teacher.: This is My Journey