How do I give my students a full picture of Indigenous communities?
Last week during the Listen & Learn workshop, we facilitators were asked by one educator how they could bring a balance to the images that their students were developing about contemporary Indigenous communities. There are so many injustices that are being perpetrated against Indigenous folks, and I've heard that some educators are at a loss for where to find materials that highlight daily life in the community in a way that brings attention to all the amazing ways young people are thriving.
Read moreDeepening Our Relationship with the Land Acknowledgement
I am excited to share some of my learning with you about the land acknowlegement, which has been on my mind since I wrote my post addressing the question "How can I make the Land Acknowledgement meaningful?"
Last week, I attended the launch of the second edition of Natural Curiosity, which was opened by Michael White, who is Bear Clan of the Anishnaabek Nation. Michael has given me permission to reprint his words that he offered while acknowledging the land that night:
Read moreNo justice for Colten Boushie
The verdict of "not guilty" in the trial of Gerald Stanley quickly led to strong reactions in some Indigenous and non-Indigenous people across Canada about the injustice present in this verdict. Many Indigenous folks and their allies are speaking about their loss of faith in Reconciliation, instead calling for justice first for Indigenous peoples.
Your students may have questions this week, or perhaps they have not even heard of the trial. I urge you to speak to them about it either way, and to help them inquire into the various issues underlying the case including the history of colonization and racism in Canada. I am grateful to Jenny Kay Dupius, who on Twitter reminded me the importance of not forcing a conversation on Indigenous students too quickly, as many may still be processing their reactions to this. I agree - creating healthy space and respecting boundaries of Indigenous students comes first.
Dr. Dupuis also wrote about the importance of having resources handy for Indigenous students to receive support if they want it. I'm aware that readers are from many different boards, and may have different resources at their disposal - social workers, guidance counselors, mental health workers. I have not yet consulted with Indigenous colleagues on this point, but I wonder if in some cases, looking for culturally relevant supports might be one idea to think about - for instance, does your board employ Elders or traditional teachers? Does it have an Aboriginal or Indigenous Education office? Are they able to offer support? Indeed, this leads to a bigger question - what is your school or school board doing to offer supports to Indigenous students at all?
Below are links to media coverage that I have been collecting. I've also thought of some critical questions we can ask.
Critical Questions
- Whose voices are present in this piece? Whose are absent?
- What is the background of the author? How might that influence the point of view of the piece?
- What is the history of colonization in Canada?
- Where is the community Colton Boushie is from located?
- What are the past and present tensions between rural communities in Saskatchewan and First Nation communities.
- How was Boushie's family treated during the investigation? How was the Stanley family treated?
- What was the reaction from the public in Saskatchewan towards the investigation and the trial?
- What is Reconciliation?
Links to Media
A reaction in Macleans Magazine to the verdict
Discussion Guide: Justice for Colten Boushie
Senator Murray Sinclair's response to the verdict
A Canadaland podcast on the trial from one year ago
A link to the upcoming livestream on Cross Country Checkup (CBC radio) about the verdict
Commentary from the Globe and Mail
Chief Bobby Cameron weighs in after the verdict
The Gerald Stanley Verdict Shows There's No Justice for Indigenous People
Calls for changes to jury selection
Witness accounts from the day of
What does Colten Boushie say about us?
An all-white jury runs from justice in the trial of Gerald Stanley
Boushie family in Ottawa to meet with ministers
Justin Trudeau tries to find the words
Justin Trudeau promises new focus on rights of Indigenous Peoples
The Stanley verdict and its fallout is a made-in-Saskatchewan crisis
March 8, 2018 - Boushie family lawyer says there were grounds for an appeal in Stanley case
March 15,2018 - RCMP investigation sloppy says independent investigator
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Sign up for the Listen and Learn Winter 2018 Workshop!
I am excited to announce that Listen and Learn will host a workshop for educators on Saturday March 10th!
I will be joined by experienced educators and facilitators Ryan Neepin (Fox Lake Cree Nation) and Nancy Steele (American-Canadian) who will co-facilitate the day with me (see our bios below). A healthy and nourishing vegan lunch will be served. Register early to reserve your spot!
We are excited to bring together a supportive community of like-minded educators, to build on our strengths, deepen our confidence, and expand our toolbox when teaching Indigenous content. All educators are welcome. If you are unable attend this workshop but are interested in future offerings, please fill in the survey at the end of this post!
Participants will leave with:
- Two lesson plans which introduce circle protocol, the Seven Grandfather Teachings, and explore the origins of our names, created by Ryan and Nancy. These lessons have been designed to be used at any grade level.
- Strategies for implementing the Indigenous pedagogies contained in the lessons
- Having participated in Build a Community, revised by Aliesha Arndt (Kanien'kehá:ka), Nancy Steele and myself. Build a Community is a powerful interactive embodied experience, where participants are brought through the story of colonization and witness its impacts on Indigenous communities. According to many past participants, the experience leads to a deeper understanding of intergenerational trauma and current injustices against Indigenous peoples. Participating in the Build a Community once is a prerequisite for enrollment in future training sessions delivered by our team.
“I was profoundly moved by the rich significance of the exercise. The silent, collective graveness that emerged from empathy amongst us was palpable and with it came the realization--symbolically communicated through drama--that we are all part of this story, and have a role to play in its unfolding.” - Build a Community participant
Just the details
When: Saturday March 10, 10am to 1pm (arrive by 9:45 to get settled in)
Where: College and Bathurst area, Toronto, Ontario
Cost: $55 dollars (early-bird rate before March 1st) and $60 March 1st to 10th. Payment by e-transfer. Refunds are available up to 48 hours before the start of the program.
Accessibility: The space is partially accessible to wheel chairs and those with mobility issues. Please indicate any needs in the form attached below, and I will contact you within 24 hours.
If you are interested in signing up, or do not plan to attend but want to attend future workshops click here to fill out our form!
Facilitator Bios
Angela Nardozi has spent almost a decade working in and alongside Indigenous communities and with educators who want to deepen their inclusion of Indigenous content in a meaningful way. A dynamic speaker and engaging facilitator, Dr. Nardozi partners with schools, community groups and organizations across the GTA, and mentors one-on-one with educators through her coaching practice.
Ryan Neepin is a member of Fox Lake Cree Nation and the Bear Clan. He completed his undergraduate degree in Multicultural & Indigenous Studies and holds a certificate in Indigenous Thought, both at York University. Ryan is currently finishing his second year of the Maters of Teaching program at OISE and also delivers workshops to teacher candidates at OISE/UT. .
Nancy Steele is a citizen of Canada and the USA. She began her teaching career working in the South Bronx area of New York City, taught in England then Toronto spending the majority of her career in alternative senior schools teaching language, history and the arts with a focus on issues of social justice and conflict management. She has worked with OISE’s Deepening Knowledge Project since its inception and co-coordinated the Aboriginal Infusion cohort of the consecutive Bachelor of Education programme. As a settler ally she works to help other Canadian settlers understand Indigenous history and their responsibilities as treaty participants in reconciliation.