The Assembly of First Nations put out this report, which contains principles for reform as well as recommendations for foundations of a strong Indigenous education system. Within the recommendations and principles is an emphasis and importance of a child first and child-centred education. This child-centred approach will be incorporated into my final project as the foundation and backbone of any material and resources created for use in a classroom.
“The First Nation child must be placed at the center of the national priority of building an education system. Improving education attainment, and ensuring that children receive the supports needed to enable them to excel and thrive as learners, while their identity, culture and language as First Nation peoples is strengthened, is essential” (p. 29).
With the focus on creating an Indigenous knowledge-based curriculum/lessons/assessment plan, it is important to acknowledge the work currently in progress in regards to the 94 Calls to Action. There are two Calls to Action in particular that I will be referencing in my final project. CBC News has created an interactive resource (#Beyond94) which measures the progress of the Calls to Action. This resource is something that should be referenced when speaking to teachers about the importance of incorporating Indigenous based knowledge in the classroom.
10: Draft new Aboriginal education legislation – In Progress
Most recent update… “In June 2021, the Yukon government announced the creation of a separate school board for First Nations, paving the way for schools geared specifically toward Indigenous students in the territory.”
12 Develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs – In Progress
In 2018, a framework for Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care was released, and in February 2021, the government proposed to invest $2.5 billion to support this mandate.
This image is an up to date account of the progress being made in the 94 calls to action. It is concerning to see 20 projects not yet started, the majority of them falling under the “Reconciliation” category.
I typed in my birth year and the address of the home I grew up in, and I found out that there was a residential school only a mere 16 kilometres away. This is a harrowing and stark reminder of the legacy of residential schools, especially with one being so close to where my students and myself live. This is a powerful resource, and it is one that I think needs to be shared widely. If a teacher typed in the birth year of their students and the address of the school, I think this would be a good starting point on a lesson/discussion about residential schools, being sure to encourage students to ask questions and express any emotions.
Over the past few years, Burnaby Village Museum has taken steps to undo “the part it has played in erasing Indigenous history from the place we now call Burnaby (Vancouver is awesome, 2019). This is an important step toward reconciliation and an example that can be discussed in class.
Out of this process has come the Indigenous History in Burnaby Resource Guide. This guide is an excellent resource for grade 5 and beyond, providing local context and story to the areas in which my school is found and where the kids play and live. This guide also serves another purpose though, and that is to open up conversation about how history is written. Who funded this book? Who consulted in this book? Who received credit for this book?
Naylor, C. (2019, November 1). Burnaby museum works to undo erasure of local Indigenous history. Vancouver Is Awesome. https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/history/indigenous-history-burnaby-village-museum-1946638.
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – September 29, 2020.
Below are my notes on this Act Two on Reconciliation. It is quite powerful and very important.
Foods disappearing and lands were stolen meant the people were starving. They were forced to attend the schools and by then generations had attended. We are still here. These are our stories and we share them with you, and the path that lay ahead.
These are our stories
Can we Talk?
Words become agreements, alliances and talking define our obligation. Because words matter. Words become ideas and ideals. Because talking tells us who we might become.
Can we Talk? So, Can we Talk? We are all in this together.
Senator Murray Sinclair – doing away with languages and harmful abuse to the kids from 5-18 years old. You have one simple challenge. We want you to treat every child and person in your school like they are your friend. Being friends and treating others well and respectfully. Every Child Matters.
“Where the Spirit Live” – first movie about residential schools. They all knew how bad it was and they didn’t stop it.
Reconciliation is a journey and not a destination.
Best hope for reconciliation are in your hands and in the hands of children yet to come. The students selected the animals, and carving the totem. Something that led to the project was for orange shirt day. They go to their daughter’s class to talk about residential schools. The inspiration that comes from talking about students and the future of the children. It fills with hope.
Wear an orange shirt, make art, be a witness and share the stories
Thank you for your help and support – we wear orange to remember the children. Pert of changing the future. Wearing an orange shirt means you’re making an effort and sparking a conversation.
Autumn Pelletier – Water Warrior for the people and protection of the water. Water keeper. Pray for the water and the water is sick and contaminated. Hope that one day the water’s clean. Inspired her to do her work doing today. I will protect the water. Award me by helping find solutions and helping me make change. No community should not have to live without clean drinking water.
What can you do?
This is an invitation to everyone across the country to take steps for Reconciliation. Mamawi together – answering the calls. What can you do? Start with one thing and challenge yourself and others around you. It doesn’t matter where it begins we can always learn more.
Step into and commit to the Calls to Action. Take the Challenge!
“I Am Me” short film about Jazmine Smith – two spirited – transgender indigenous woman. Being transgender is beautiful and I am not a stereotype. I am a Cree First Nations woman. Found a sense of self. I want to encourage people to never give up, find your passion and love yourself.
Every Child Matters – very powerful words and for a long time it wasn’t the case in this country. Indigenous and Metis children were treated differently.
There were hundreds of day schools, savages and bastard children. There remains a long road for the Metis, First Nations and Inuit children. Lots of exploration of what it means to be Metis.
Rose Darling – Metis and Pride – Wookey Films – 5-year-old child.
Hi I’m Rose and I’m Metis. And she tells us what it means to be Metis. 18:20 – this is adorable and something that you should see it for yourself. Metis means “mixed”. Seven generations leading to “me”. She talks about the rollercoaster ride. Proud generation and Louis Reil and the Metis were defeated. Then the Defeated generation and were quiet about it. Then there was the Shamed generation. Mean things were said. Then came the Hidden Generation got good at hiding. They didn’t even tell there babies who they were and then those babies were the Lost Generation and thankfully Rose’s mom’s generation were Found Generation “thanks mom”. I love to play in the snow, do the jig. What’s the lesson here? Knowing who we are makes us happy people and when we are nice to each other. – SOOO CUTE! Worth a watch.
Spirit Bear – going back to court. The government doesn’t want to pay the money. It’s your job to stand up and help them have a proper childhood. Cindy Blackstock from the Caring Society. Addresses the unequal funding for families. Read Spirit Bear’s plan. @spiritbear.
We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice – A movie by Alanis Obomsawin
Award making film director who has made so many films of worth. Including ones about Jordan’s Principle. 52 years making films. Another world and nothing was easy and fight a lot and the documentaries. To witness the hate in the province and 270 years of resistance. You have to know why you are making the film and to ask them to respect our people. “Our People will be Healed” and imagine that and how clever and beautiful the people are. What a gift she says.
It’s more than hope and much more profound. All around the country and people are changing and are kind. There are young people are doing things.
Justin Trudeau – knowledge keepers remind us about how Indigenous people are have been here for generations. It’s Canadian history and everyone should know what took place. Racist ideas and systemic racism and discrimination challenge us today. It us up to us to show Every Child Matters.
Notorious Cree – traditional hoop dance – made a choice at 16 years old and really wanted to explore the artists life and make him feel empowered. Dancing to channel the energy to become a dancer. Good things just started happening to him. Great mentors.
You are the future. Be the best versions of yourself.
“Traditional Healing”
Raymond Caplin – film about traditional healing. In the same way as Chanie Wenjack flim (my observations). The images are about the land being polluted. Then the character starts dancing and the land starts to blossom and heal. Colour starts to appear. There appears to be growth with flowers, trees and grass dancing. The character looks around and then walks off screen.
Next is the Chanie Wenjack and an exerpt from “The Secret Path”. Very powerful.
Representation matters – and Tonto was a lousy role model and Indians created by white people. This is the stereotypes of Indigenous people. Lots of kids think the Tomahawk chop is something that indigenous people do. Nope. The journalist who wants to tell the stories. Told many stories about the abuse, and how hockey saved lives. Survival due to hockey. News media is full of stereotypes about Indigenous people. Call to Action 86 – fair and respectful way of telling stories. You have a responsibility to tell the stories well. Learn more about the past and present and take care with your stories.
The United Nations Declaration – survival and the wellbeing for Indigenous Peoples. A solution to reconciliation. The violation of treaties took the Indigenous peoples to the UN. Recognition, respect and Justice and after 27 years of debate it was published.
Kiawentiio – 14 year old singer and songwriter, actor from Akwesasne, Ontario – Great singing and powerful song. Surrounded by family and community and a Mohauk Community School. And did it all in the language and a full immersion school.
Filming “Beans” and a story following a 12 year old girl going through the Oka Crisis. Emotional journey. This song is going through difficult times and is inspiring and empowering.
The ending is thanking the creator for bringing everyone together for Orange Shirt Day. Joyful that the month is over, and because of being torn away from their families. September 30 means that it is gone and we can all move on.
Hug your family and tell them you love them. Because you have no idea going through a childhood not being told you are loved.
September 29, 2020. National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Below are the notes that I took while watching Act one – Truth posted September 29, 2020. A very powerful video that is about 45 minutes long and looks all over Canada and talks to many survivors, commissioners for the TRC and powerful members of communities.
To show the survival, the resilience, the courage, and the love that our communities have for our children. Reconciliation cannot happen without the TRUTH.
Phyllis Webstad – Orange Shirt Day
RECONCILIATION – LEARN portion.
Throat singing – great imagery – great message
Metis nation acknowledgement.
The reconciliation we talk about healing, empowerment and leaving a legacy for children and grandchildren. The creator to live within the hearts and minds of the Metis.
The video goes through Canada or Turtle Island and June 16, 2020, was a fire of respect and Reconciliation starts with respect. This fire marked the start of the TRC commission and shared their pain, their hope and their dreams. They asked the TRC to share their stories with the young people of Canada and they want you to know the history and never repeat it.
It will require a deep commitment – Chief Fontaine.
The LEGACY of the RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SYSTEM – 150,000 First Nations, Inuit and Metis children were separated from their families. Residential boarding schools 1830’s and closed late 1990’s. Suffer abuse and malnutrition. Discrimination, hardship, neglect and abuse. Isolated from communities, culture, punished. Thousands died while attending residential schools. Some people won’t go into the building and some of the elders won’t go into the building.
Many of the scars of abuse have been passed down. The survivors have fought hard to reclaim their traditions. Residential school experiences matter because we Matter.
14:00 – 18:16
Looking at the artists now and the witness blanket made from documents, photos and to record the truth of what happened to them. Over 880 different objects and each one tells a story and each one si part of the truth. The idea of being caught between two cultures. Through the art, the pieces and stories are being put together as a blanket. This blanket was made to witness and a witness watches and remembers and re-tells what they have learned
“I invite each of you to be a witness”
“Zuya” – video of the journey in the Sioux language. The name “White owl Woman” and she tells us her story and journey. Two worlds – the cultural sides, and the other world where there are cars, buildings and chaos. She is a Northern Woman’s traditional dancer. “Nothing is impossible”.
Throughout the video, there is a connection to crisis lines, and they talk about the Kids Help Line to support those feelings you might have.
Rita Joe – “I Lost My Talk” – high school students from Inuksuk High school create a video about what this meant to them. Very interesting take on Rita Joe’s poem. Very powerful.
Work University of Toronto – Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency – Master’s program. Social and emotional safety through a cultural lens.
Slam poetry about the residential survivors. “I know that my ancestors are still healing” and the idea of knowing self.
Orange Shirt Day – is a symbol of all the things that were taken away from the students that mattered.
The dolls for just one day, and then the dolls were taken away. The chores they had to do, and a survivor’s story and using a rag to make her a doll. When she got home she would look for her doll every Christmas and Antique stores to look for the doll. It is important for children to have toys. Making the rag dolls and talking about her doll.
Inuit experienced residential schools in different ways and in different timelines but they experienced them the same way that First Nations and Metis children experienced them as well.
The children of residential school survivors and the loss of life, children and culture. It’s important to recognize that this happened to all groups across Canada.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action is a list of items crucial to repairing the damage and intergenerational trauma brought upon Indigenous peoples in Canada. The document is designed as an outline of necessary work to be done collaboratively between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments at all levels. Calls #13-17 specifically mention language and culture. These calls to action serve as a starting point to which many dying Indigenous languages may be preserved and enriched.
Carolyn Roberts spoke on March 20, 2018. She was a result of the 60’s scoop. Her mother still does not hug. She went to St. Mary’s residential school. Carolyn Roberts’s children are the first in more than three generations that were not taken away from her. Aboriginal people make up 4% of the population but more than 60% of the children in foster care are of First Nations descent.
She asks an important question – Why does it matter? She goes on to say that we need to have this conversation and we need to educate ourselves. To educate yourself you need a sense of decency and a sense of justice.
What can you do?
You as a Canadian can learn whose land you are on. You can learn the languages that the First Nations people speak where you work, live and play. Where is the community and how can you give back to them?
Governmental systems in place today still hold back and suppress Indigenous people. Find out about the land claims and treaty rights and what does it mean to them? Ask questions and be curious – why does the Federal Government have two white non-indigenous females leading all departments in First Nations issues.
The honourable Murray Sinclair states that education got us into this mess, and education is what will take us out of this mess.
We need to move together side by side and our decisions need to be rooted in honour and deep respect.
Cecelia Reekie on March 10, 2016, decided to tell us a story. She brought us along on her journey from her birth in Butedale, BC and the story is about being born in 1963 to a mother who was 15 and was unwed and pregnant. She talks about her journey into foster care.
I have had the chance to spend time in Butedale when I was 17 and canoeing along the west coast from Bella Coola to Prince Rupert. It was a powerful and amazing experience back in 1994.
Through Cecelia’s story of adoption and the “aunty and uncle” that were friends with her adoptive parents, Cecelia talks about meeting her mother and her father. Her father turned out to be her “aunt” growing up, it turned out to be “aunties” older brother. The purpose of this story is about family, connection and about listening to the children’s stories.
Her father was in a residential school. He spoke and testified at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings in Vancouver in 2013 where Cecelia was volunteering. Cecelia talks about going to Ottawa for 2015 and the release of the TRC report and the 94 Calls to Action.
She asks us to understand that every child has a story and to take the time to find out their stories so that no child has to walk alone. That we will be there to walk along with them.
Ginger Gosnell-Myers on June 25, 2018, tells a powerful story of her father. He is a hunter, a friend, and strong ready to help his community. When she was 17 she saw her uncle on TV talking about residential school. Her father had passed away and she never could talk to him about that time. About the mass Post-Traumatic Stress and the Intergenerational Experience where no healing and limited truths existed.
Through her conversation in this talk, Ginger Gosnell-Myers talks about the 2007 class-action lawsuit that resulted in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She talks about one story in 2013 from the survivors who told their story where the father told his story for 10 minutes and the son said that this was the first time he ever heard this truth for the other 10 minutes. She goes on to say that hearing the stories was an awakening and that there were the 94 Calls to Action and then they were done.
She speaks about the risk of continuing as a country and not having all 80,000 stories told and the risk as a country. She compares reconciliation with Germany and the Jewish communities and how they have been using all the actions necessary.
She asks us to educate ourselves. Only 1 in 5 Canadians can name a residential school in their community. She encourages us to watch A Secret Path championed by Gord Downie and she says this is a place to start learning.
She talks about New Zealand and how they move forward with a respect for Maori culture and how the goal for all New Zealanders to have Maori pride with place names, representation in government, incorporating the Haka in sport and how everyone knows their connection to the land that they share through Indigenous knowledge.
Ginger Gosnell-Myers challenges us to look at reconciliation not as a time-defined program but rather a process that has no expiration date, and if it takes forever, then we should be ok with that.
