Truth & Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a responsibility of each and every Canadian. Reconciliation is a priority for education, as highlighted in the Truth and Reconciliation Committee's 94 Calls to Action. I wholeheartedly embrace my responsibilities as a Canadian and educator to support the process of reconciliation and incorporate Indigenous perspectives into my classroom when possible.

My actions towards reconciliation have included:

- planning K-12 reading activities for Orange Shirt Day;

- incorporating the 7 Teachings into social/emotional curriculum;

- sourcing new resources to bring Indigenous perspectives in the classroom;

- relating personal experiences to curriculum objectives, such as building a tipi with community Elders at Brandon University;

- demonstrating cultural sensitivity to the experiences and personal histories of students and their families;

- using contemporary texts and mediums to teach Canadian history from the eyes of Indigenous people, such as graphic novels, podcasts and documentaries.

I have the utmost respect for Indigenous culture and I am always open to new ways of being a part of our reconciliation process. In February 2021, I attended University of Manitoba's EdTalk, Resilience and In(di)genuity: Reconciliation in Times of Crisis.

I gained new perspective on what reconciliation looks like in the classroom - it is more than sharing the hardships of the past; we must also celebrate and learn from the successes of resilience and resistance. I also reimagined the idea of "returning to normal" throughout this pandemic; rather we must seek balance and routine admist the chaos.

As an educator, I strive to provide broad perspectives that help students be open-minded and respectful towards all cultures; to bring alternative narratives into the classrooms that foster curiousity and knowledge-seeking.