Spring Break Reading & Viewing 2022

March 10, 2022 - 6 minutes read

Spring Break Reading & Viewing 2022

Spring Break is hopefully a time of rest and relaxation, but it will no doubt this year more than most, also be a time of reflection. Hopefully, the sampling of resources shared below from the BICS Diversity Committee (a group of BICS parents/guardians and BICS staff) as well as from the Ministry of Education are helpful in having informed conversations with children about the topics that are either weighing on them now, or will throughout their lives: war (particularly right now in Ukraine), Indigenous justice issues (including the ongoing discovery of the remains of children at Indian Residential School sites), the increasingly urgent Climate Emergency, the oppression of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, SOGI, and mental health. 

Crisis in Ukraine

Residential Schools and Related Indigenous Current Issues

  • For a video from an Indian Residential School survivor, Chief Robert Joseph, explaining the history of the Residential School system, click here.
  • For information (print) about how to talk to children about Indian Residential Schools from the North American Center for Threat Assessment and Trauma Response, click here.
  • The 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are here.
  • For information about the St. Paul’s Residential School (North Vancouver) and St. Paul’s Residential School Memorial, click here.
  • Hi Ho Mistahey!  https://www.nfb.ca/film/hi-ho_mistahey_en/ 2013 feature-length documentary of the national campaign started by 14 year old Shannen Koostachin, a Cree from Attawapiskat Ontario, to provide equitable access to education in safe and suitable schools for Indigenous children. Shannen’s Dream ultimately went all the way to the United Nations in Geneva. Still timely today and for ages 13+. 
  • Tracks Youth Program at Trent University provides links to a variety of Indigenous online youth resources including APTN, NFB, CBC Gem, etc. 

 Climate Change 

Colonization/Racism

  • Challenging Racist “British Columbia”; 150 Years and Counting. A three part video series, each one 10 minutes long. (Geared to Grade 6/7 and up)
  • Challenging Racist “British Columbia”; 150 Years and Counting: An online booklet diving into the long history of racist policies that have impacted Indigenous, Black and racialized communities in the province over the last 150 years since BC joined. 
  • Unilearnal – creating content that highlights the experiences of BIPOC

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)

Mental Health

  • Open Parachute (Grade 6-7 student license) This program provides you with access to an online video series with information on how to support your child’s development through adolescence and the many challenges they may face. The program provides tools for addressing well-being concerns that typically occur as children develop. Students in West Vancouver Schools use this program at the Grade 6-9 level but it can also be used by families at home.
  • Anxiety Canada
  • Here to Help