During this past Friday, I had the privilege to listen to many amazing speakers during School District 57’s Indigenous Day of Learning. One of these influential presenters was Dustin Louie from Nee Tahi and Nadleh Whut’en of the Carrier Nation in central British Columbia. I also attended a workshop where I was able to listen to Maureen Dockendorf and Denise Augustine. Maureen has worked in the Coquitlam School District as a university associate, teacher and principal. Denise works for School District 79 Cowichan as the Director of Indigenous Education and Learner Engagement. It is so important to me as a learner to continue to listen to others’ perspectives and knowledges for my own growth. I am very thankful that I got to attend these sessions because I feel that the learning really connected and built upon my growing knowledge in the education program.
In both his keynote and workshop session, Dr. Louie stressed the importance of decolonizing and Indigenizing education systems. While both processes are important elements of the current changes in curriculum, Dr. Louie explained that decolonizing is crucial to breaking down the ways in which Indigenous communities are defined and shaped by western cultures. Currently, our systems and institutions reflect Eurocentric ideologies; therefore, Indigenous cultures are seen as the ‘other’ and understood through an outside, colonial lens. Decolonizing institutions such as education means disrupting how these western knowledges are seen as natural and superior to other perspectives. We as a society need to challenge our notions of white supremacy and assumptions of western superiority. This change needs to happen on a personal level by reflecting on ourselves and accepting that we all have biases we need to correct.
In taking in all of this knowledge and information, I am now trying to figure out how I can apply it to my teaching career. For example, Dustin Louie explained the importance of allies when dealing with the new curriculum and the integration of Indigenous knowledge. I know throughout my career I will encounter teachers that are resistant to this change, and there are also going to be times where I, myself am uncomfortable. In these situations, I need to do my very best to advocate for these improvements on the education system and be a positive, openminded voice.
At the end of the day, as Dr. Louie stated, I believe that a nurturing approach is the best way to advocate for these changes. Indigenous perspectives can help supply this approach because relationships and connections with one another are put at the center of learning. Decolonizing and Indigenizing our curriculum are beneficial because it allows for imbedded diversification to provide a personalized education for all students. In Maureen and Denise’s workshop, they demonstrated examples how focusing on children’s strengths and implementing Indigenous knowledges can be rewarding for students by encouraging them to be who they are and see their own importance. I believe that a part of my job as a future educator to be an ally to Indigenous communities and an example for my students. My goal is to put love and compassion at the forefront of my teaching through the integration of Indigenous perspectives.
