Kelsey is an Indigenous Lead Resource & Land Based Teacher K-12 in SD57. The impact she is making today is unbelievable and incredibly inspiring.
Today we learned about Kelsey, her history, her job, and how she got to where she is today. I greatly appreciate her willingness to share her story and I honestly could listen to her talk for hours. The main concept I gathered from her lecture was the importance of connections and passion. I would like to note, I have known Kelsey for many, many years and I am so proud and honoured to be able to observe her journey. So, let’s dive in!
Kelsey began the lecture with her personalized land acknowledgement and I loved that she spoke about how important it is to personalize land acknowledgements. She mentioned that it is important to explain why you are doing what you are doing, and what Lheidli T’enneh means. For her personalized land acknowledgement, she explains that we are where the two rivers meet, and the Lheidli people travelled through the water and the seasons.
Found my path with heart with kids
Kelsey Macdonald
First, let’s talk about the importance of connection. Kelsey was presented with the opportunity to be a EA at our local First Nations School Nusdeh Yoh Elementary and she took it. Kelsey mentioned that she felt that the kids she was working with had no sense of belonging and were disconnected from their culture, identity, and where they come from. Being that connection is so important in education, she felt this needed to change. So Kelsey “Bulldozed” her way through and stood up for these kids and what they needed. Kelsey created a hockey team, extracurricular activities, and school programs, she really put all her heart into it. She mentions that she is extra and that is just who she is. But these kids needed that extra, they needed someone to show them that they were more than a student and Kelsey did that for them. She began to find herself immersed in the Indigenous ways of Knowing and Doing. As she started implementing Indigenous pedagogies and extracurricular activities Kelsey noticed she was developing real connections with the kids, connections that gave them a sense of place and belonging, connections that made them excited to learn and be apart of things, connections that they will remember for a long time. Like common, you cannot tell me that this is not inspiring!!!! She also talks about connecting with your peers and mentors because in the future we will have to collaborate and work together and the more connections you create the more opportunities you will be presented with. I have always known that connection is important we are taught it all the time. But, in my position as a TTUC, I make only day-long connections with kids because I am only there for the day. So it was really amazing to me to hear Kelsey’s story about how her connections manifested and lead to other opportunities and impacts. Learning about connection and seeing it develop in person are 2 very different things and I feel like I am walking away from this lecture inspired and excited to connect with everything! The land, the kids, the people, the place, the water, literally everything.
Passion.. I have always had a passion for Indigenous pedagogies and integrating them into the education system. For many years I have dreamed of being a teacher. But I think that my view of being a teacher is different than others. I did not and do not dream of standing in front of a class and teaching the curriculum (Although I would love to do this as well!). I dreamed and continue to dream of being a bulldozer much like Kelsey has been. I dreamed of changing the way we teach and learn. I did not have a great experience in school so I think that I come at it from a different perspective. I want to help people and I think that often means going against the grain. I have taken many Indigenous courses and I am in the process of teaching myself the Dakelh language (I took level one at UNBC) right now. I’m doing this because I believe that this is something that needs to be taught. Language holds a special place in culture and I truly believe that through learning and sharing the language we can reconnect with Dakelh culture. I also truly believe education is key in advancing reconciliation. I am also so extremely passionate about experiential learning and all the Indigenous pedagogies as a whole and I promised myself that I would take advantage of any and all opportunities that arise. I am aware of my ignorance in terms of Indigenous pedagogies and I know that I am no expert, but I want to learn, I want to develop, I want to share, and I want to teach.
You get what you put into it
Kelsey MacDonald
Kelsey said that passion is so important and we as future educators need to kindly push for the concepts and things we are passionate about. By bringing out passions into the classroom whether it is hunting, fishing, hiking, games, etc. we can help kids find their passions and through that, we can create connections. Kelsey also told us to cherish our strengths and passions because that is what makes you you.
Practicum is your time to shine, it is not about pleasing anyone, it is about finding your gifts and understanding what makes you and educator.
Kelsey MacDonald
Through Kelsey sharing her journey I am excited to continue mine. I literally have no idea what is in store for me but I am going into everything with an open mind, and open heart, and I will take advantage of any opportunities that arise along the way. I want to be a bulldozer like Kelsey, I want to truly make a difference and positively impact children, peers, the education system and everything that I can get my hands on.
Why are you here? Why are you doing what you are doing? if you know YOUR WHY no one else can tell you other wise.
Kelsey MacDonald
Thank you so much Kelsey for not only coming and speaking to our class today but for all the work that you are doing for our future generations and paving a pathway for others to follow. You are a bulldozer.
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It is important to note that all the quotes I have from what Kelsey has said are what I heard her say. I take full responsibility.
This photo is from Kelsey’s Twitter https://twitter.com/teacherkelseyy
