Indigenous Education Professional Development Day – January 29, 2021

The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are.           Lynn Culbreath Noel

On January 29, 2021, West Vancouver Schools teachers and staff participated in an Indigenous Education Professional Development Day. This day was collaboratively planned by the District Professional Development Committee, made up of teachers and school leaders, with guidance and support from the Squamish Nation Education Department.

This amazing “virtual” learning opportunity was divided into three parts and provided opportunity for reflection, conversation and deep learning.

Part One – Acknowledgement and Welcome; WVS Indigenous Education Overview; Key Note Speaker and Personal Stories

Part Two – A menu of short videos from guest speakers focused on themes from our Enhancement Agreement Goals

Part Three – School based collaboration and planning

We would like to acknowledge and thank our guest presenters and knowledge leaders for sharing their personal stories, experiences, and words. These videos will form a legacy resource for future learning.

Huy chexw a

Driving Systemic Change: Decolonizing a Public School System
Tsnomot, Brad Baker – District Principal, North Vancouver School District

Shared Decision Making: Nothing about Us, without Us
Syetaxtn, Chris Lewis – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation Council Member, Chair of the SFU Board of Governors

Honouring the Land
K’etximtn, Alroy Baker – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation Council Member and Elder

The Local Land
Sahplek, Bob Baker – Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Elder and Cultural Advisor for WVS

The Importance of Language
Sesemiya, Tracy Williams – Manager of Language and Cultural Affairs for the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation

Equity in Action: A Toolkit for BC Districts and Schools to Achieve Parity and Equity for All Students
Joe Heslip, Secondee, Field Liaison – District Prinicipal of Indigenous Education, Victoria BC

Indigenous Education Pro-D Day overview
Our journey learning together

The Importance of Teachers and Support Staff
Paul Wick – Director of Education, Employment, and Training Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation

Reflecting Questions related to our Enhancement Agreement Goals
Melanie Nelson – School Psychologist for the North Vancouver School District

The Impacts of Residential Schools
Sempulyan, Stewart Gonzales – Ayas Men Men Child and Family Services

Métis Identity and Culture
Kathleen Nisbet & Eloi Homier – V’ni Dansi, traditional and contemporary Métis Dance Company

We Matter and My Journey to Indigeneity and Identity
Georgina Johnston – Future teacher and We Matter Ambassador

The following publicly-available videos were also viewed as part of our Indigenous Education Pro-D Day:

First Peoples Principles of Learning
Jo Chrona, Curriculum – First Nation Education Steering Committee (FNESC)

Reconciliation in Your Community (TEDxLangley)
Carolyn Roberts, Faculty – Department of Education, Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Decolonization is for Everyone (TEDxSFU)
Nikki Sanchez – Educator, Media Maker, Wild Guide, PhD