Reflection: Truth and Reconciliation
Having the privilege to call the unceded lands of the Lheidli T’enneh home comes with a certain amount of responsibility- to the land, our community, and to the Lheidli T’enneh people. This concept doesn’t end at the municipal boundary of Prince George, but across British Columbia and Canada as a whole. On a micro scale, this involved me participating in events focused on the many, many children lost to residential schools and the cultural loss along with that. On the macro level, we see the TRC’s Calls to Action federally but in BC it looks like the BCTC’s Standard 9.
BC also integrates this standard into the curriculum, meaning this can be applied across subjects. Often I see indigenous history shared in a social studies classroom, but the 9th standard can be applied in science, math, physical education etc. I truly look forward to seeing the ways we, as new educators, can expand this learning and truly integrate it within our classrooms.
Recently in class we were able to be led through a Blanket Exercise by Dr. Daniel Sims from the First Nations Department at UNBC (https://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/indigenous-rights/blanket-exercise). The exercise made the annihilation of Indigenous cultures across Canada so tactile. Standing on a blanket and having them folded under my feet, watching friends be removed from their spaces or relocated made it immersive. While I am a young European woman, I was able to understand more deeply what happened to these peoples. This depth is something I strive to bring into my teaching practice, so future learners of all backgrounds can understand. From Dr.Sims’ description this activity is something that can be adapted for many age groups, while it was a difficult and emotion heavy exercise I believe it is something I will bring into my classes in the future. Empathy can be learned, and through facing the hard truths we can foster empathy in our classes. The activity is just a stepping stone though, and consciously integrating other Indigenous Ways of Knowing into lesson plans, classroom decor and management are more stones along the path to reconciliation. All of which I know myself and my cohort will be doing.
