For the 2018-19 school year, Learning Services staff created a series of learning sessions for all WRDSB employees to raise their consciousness of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The Truth and Reconciliation Report, specifically Calls to Action 62 and 63, refer to changes needed in the education system to educate students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada. Training resources and professional development opportunities for educators to support the recommendations were taking place when the decision was made to open a learning series to all staff.
Learning sessions each month focus on different areas and topics of Indigenous culture. The first session took a closer look at the APTN series First Contact through video and question prompts.
For Treaty Recognition Week, Phil Monture provided insight on the Haldimand Proclamation of 1784. This learning session took a closer look at the territorial lands in and around our community, providing in-depth knowledge and history on the land we work and live.
Inuit member Qauyisaq Etitiq shared his culture and knowledge of Inuit history, providing staff with the rare opportunity to hear from a member of the Inuit community.
Learning sessions for staff are designed to include representation from all three Aboriginal groups identified in the Canadian Constitution: First Nations, Metis and Inuit. Each month staff are eager to attend the learning opportunities provided to them. We hope that these sessions can continue in years to come as we continue to raise awareness and broaden knowledge of Indigenous peoples and culture in our region.