Navigating the complexities of teaching a British Columbia First Peoples Course as non-Indigenous educators, we delve into a transformative journey centred on resilience, inspired by the course's emphasis on the diversity, depth, and integrity of the cultures of BC’s traditional inhabitants. Our presentation reflects on the profound impact of the past year, marked by global turbulence and upheaval due to the pandemic, as we designed and taught the newly mandated Indigenous Education graduation component of the British Columbia curriculum. Rooted in the languages, culture, and history of Indigenous peoples, the course is designed to address a crucial part of British Columbia's history. It aligns with the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically focusing on the imperative to "integrate Indigenous knowledge and teaching methods into classrooms" (clause 62) and "build student capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect" (clause 63). Our narrative integrates the course's principles into the broader context of teaching, fostering hope, and aligning with the objectives of reconciliation as we navigate our own complicated intersection of learning, teaching, and witnessing the ongoing resilience of Indigenous peoples. We will share the course outlines and learning activities developed for teachers who do not identify as the cultural groups explored in curriculums, with a unique emphasis on local First Nations and other First Peoples residing in Canada. Join us as we share the lessons drawn from a year of successes and challenges, while contributing to the collective journey towards a more inclusive and empathetic future.

Authors:
Jenise Boland, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Lana Penner, West Point Grey Academy, Canada

About the Presenter(s)
Jenise Boland, MEd cantab, is a PhD candidate at Simon Fraser University and full time classroom practitioner teaching Social Studies and Humanities at the secondary level in Vancouver, British Columbia.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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