Standard 9 – Educators respect and value the history of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis in Canada and the impact of the past on the present and the future. Educators contribute towards truth, reconciliation and healing. Educators foster a deeper understanding of ways of knowing and being, histories, and cultures of the First Nations, Inuit and Metis.
1000 Ravens for Reconciliation. Thank you for the opportunity to take part in this amazing initiative which is a part of the journey towards reconciliation the university and community are undertaking. 1 of 1000. #unbc #1000ravens #unbced pic.twitter.com/dij53ETmZF
— Naomi Broadhead (@NR_Broadhead) September 23, 2019
As University of Northern British Columbia students, our education cohorts were given the chance to take part in the 1000 Ravens for Reconciliation initiative. This was a powerful experience, not only because it is such a vital step on the road to Reconciliation, but because of the stories that were shared. I am learning more and more the power of story regardless of the content. Story has power, words have power and sharing our stories leads to a truly powerful connection.
In my final Practicum while teaching English First Peoples 11/12, I really wanted to expose the learners in the classroom to a variety of Indigenous and First Peoples stories, getting in as many local authors, spoken word artists, poets and films as possible; in some cases local meant a close-by province and in other cases this very community. Within the English First Peoples class, I was very fortunate to be able to build and feeling of community and a fostering of relationships with the students. I believe it was that feeling of community and relationship building that led the students to suggest stories and films that they wanted to watch within the class, stories and films that had an authentic and accurate representation of Indigenous Peoples.
Below I have included a small section of stories and films covered in English First Peoples in my last Practicum.
