Author Archives: svirk7

Lynda Gray is a well known Ts’msyen Nation author whose book I recently came across. I am fortunate to have an Indigenous education lead teacher at my school who has attended events our school district has held in order to work towards better understanding and ultimately better teaching practices when it comes to incorporating Indigenous worldviews and perspectives into the classroom. My colleague had this book that she received at one of the professional development days she attended and I asked to borrow it. I really liked how Lynda was able to tackle so many topics and give brief but thorough knowledge on so many matters that are current and relevant. This book can be read in one sitting or be used as a resource and guide when trying to gain a bit more insight into a certain area. The second edition of the book (the one I have read) just came out in June so the information is very relevant and updated.

To find out more about the book and about Lynda Gray,click here.

I recently came across this video which features Stephen Paquette. Stephen discusses what we should be acknowledging when we do land acknowledgements. This video really helped me to see what should go into an acknowledgement. Paquette talked about how we need to understand that many Indigenous Peoples were nomadic and moved with the changing seasons. He also mentioned that in an Indigenous worldview and perspective, people are caretakers of the land and that land is not owned. I think this short video is a must-see for everyone when trying to create authentic ways to acknowledge and honour lands and Indigenous peoples and ways of knowing.

In my introduction post for this course I mentioned that I am an avid reader but I do find it difficult to read while teaching and taking MET courses but it helps when the book content inspires me to think about topics that I am interested in and also engaging in with my coursework. I came across Jesse Wente’s book entitled Unreconciled and knew I had to read it. I originally picked it up as a gift for a friend and then bought my own copy.

I finished the book over this past weekend and although it does not talk specifically about land acknowledgements, which is my research focus, it does focus so much on stereotypes, belonging, inter-generational trauma, reconciliation, and beyond. The book’s title suggests even suggests that reconciliation isn’t possible without truth. I really enjoyed and appreciated Wente’s writing style and his statements on what reconciliation means and how it may not be the best step forward. It helped me to thin deeply about all steps towards reconciliation, including, land acknowledgements.

Image Credit: Agent NDN/Facebook

My research is really focusing on how we are doing land acknowledgments wrong and how we can make them more meaningful instead of something like rote memorization.

I have been looking at many articles and perspectives to see how this can be improved. I came across a CBC article entitled “What is Wrong with Land Acknowledgements” that summed up a lot of the sentiments that I was feeling. In this article, five people of Indigenous background talk about their thoughts on land acknowledgements. Importantly stressed is that land acknowledgements have to be meaningful and that you have to “do the work” to truly honour the land and the Peoples.

CBC News Article

Image Credit: Black and Indigenous Alliance/Facebook, @gudim_public/Instagram)

During module 1 I came across the website Native Land and I really liked how the website showed an interactive map of Indigenous land and territories. It helped me to really understand more of the land on which I live as well as beyond.
This was the first place I wanted to start when looking at my research topic of and acknowledgements. The page gives advice on how to make land acknowledgements more meaningful. One thing I really took away that I think is missing from many land acknowledgement that I have heard is the piece on why the acknowledgement is happening. For my research on doing land acknowledgements in schools and how to help students understand their importance, I think this piece is crucial.

Link to Website Article

As you may remember from my introduction video, I am an avid reader. I enjoy learning through reading so in the course of my research, finding a variety of books by Indigenous authors is very important to me. Not only for my learning but also to bring into my own classroom. I always want to ensure that my classroom library supports a myriad of voices so that students can see themselves as well as those around them in the stories they read. As the saying goes, “representation matters” and the Good Minds Website showcases First Nations, Inuit, and Metis books and authors. They are a family owned business that you can purchase from as well.

In my search for resources and websites to support my learning journey, I was introduced to this website through a group project in another course I am taking this term. Empowering the Spirit is a great website as well as teaching tool that helps support true reconciliation. Often times, educators who are also settlers, like myself, lack the knowledge or can be afraid to know where to start when it comes to bringing Indigenous knowledge into our learning environments. This website is a great place to start that journey.

Empowering the Spirit Website

A large part of my learning this module when it comes to Indigenous knowledge is understanding place. As I have blogged about previously, the CBC website that shows the map of residential schools has been helpful for me in understanding where I am and the histories that have taken place on the land.

Another important part of understanding the land is looking at Indigenous territories and languages that are spoken on these territories as well as exploring the treaties on this land. The Native Land website provides an interactive map that allows me to continue my exploration and further my knowledge.

Native Land Website

One thing that I have thought about in this module is how local our history is to us. I always find this a challenge when teaching many different subject areas to my grade 6/7 students. They don’t always seem to grasp the concept of time and space quite as easily.

The CBC offers a tool on their website that shows how close you are to a residential school, it also shows the years in which the school was active. When I share this website with my students and share with them how these institutions were still active in my lifetime, it gives them a better concept of time which allows them to understand how long and deep-rooted this practice has been.

Residential School Map

Throughout this module I have been thinking about resources that have helped me in reimagining the way I go about teaching Indigenous ways of knowing and histories in my classroom. As a settler on these lands, it is important for me to look towards Indigenous voices to bring into the classroom. One of my favourite books that I discovered through Tik Tok is called This Place: 150 Years Retold.

This book is an anthology of very vital stories and histories that is done in a graphic novel style by Indigenous authors and artists. I wanted to share this book because it really brings these stories to life and the images are incredibly powerful.

Here is a review for further information: Book Review.