Erica Mclean is a newly elected School Trustee, former school coordinator and educator. She is from Northern B.C., near Hazelton in Gixstan First Nation. Her visit and lecture was eye-opening as we were able to step see her views on Indigenous learners, systemic racism, trauma, and poverty in the Prince George’s area. In this post, I am going to summarize her story and reflect on her lecture.
From listening to Erica, I heard that she strongly believes in community and connection. In her reserve, she grew up observing the people around her and the struggles they faced. Struggles such as poverty influenced her that change was needed and she could help the change. She often said, “There is need out there”. Which ultimately developed her goals and dreams. She had realized her goals all related in one way which was helping people. At 19 she moved to Prince George to attend the College of New Caledonia where she began her journey. Erica mentioned that oftentimes she did not feel like she as an Indigenous being had a voice, therefore change was needed. She makes it clear in her speech that her view on things is based on her experiences of being an Indigenous woman growing up on the Rez.
The main concept I took from this lecture is what I heard Erica say “I don’t think we have a systemic racism problem, I think we have a trauma and poverty problem.” She was not discrediting that racism is very real today as it has been for as long as we know it. What I heard her say is that oftentimes, she felt that many of her students and coworkers believed the system is against them, which is a result of generational trauma. Erica emphasizes the importance that we as educators have in terms of creating a narrative for our students. That we can make a difference, we just need to be given the opportunity and I truly appreciate her efforts, goals, and hope that she imparts in doing so. I think that it is people like Erica who are the world changers we need to create a more inclusive, welcoming space where we focus on connection and community. I am excited to see what she does with her newfound role and I cannot wait to be a part of the change that she creates.
In closure, I would like to end with a inspiring quote from her passage in the Prince George’s Post:
Over the recent years, education in our community has experienced relationship breakdowns and trust. Now more than ever, we need to work with our community to regain/strengthen relationship and collaborate to meet the needs of our most vulnerable learners.
Erica Mclean
References:
Mclean, E. (2022, July 5). Letter to the editor: Why I’m quitting as an educator in the public system. Prince George Citizen. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-why-im-quitting-as-an-educator-in-the-public-system-5547834
Peterson, H. (2022, September 22). Former indigenous education worker running for Prince George School Board. Prince George Citizen. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/former-indigenous-education-worker-running-for-prince-george-school-board-5859602
Space, M. (2022, October 11). SD57 trustee candidate Q&A: Erica McLean | Prince George Post. Prince George Post. Retrieved November 12, 2022, from https://www.princegeorgepost.com/news/local-news/sd57-trustee-candidate-qa-erica-mclean
