On June 12th, 2023 I received an email from the chair of the UNBC Education Program, Tina Fraser, inviting me to the People, Place, & Land Retreat. The retreat occurred on June 23rd, 2023 at Lheidli T’enneh Park, in the Kiwanis Bowl.
This blog post is going to be a reflection on what I walked away with and what I found valuable from this day. I would like to note that if I were to write every thing down in this blog post, it would be forever long. Therefore, I am going to choose my top 3 takeaways but would like to have a further conversation about it! Thank you!
Take away #1: Elders are teachers. Elders are storytellers. Elders are protectors. Elders are healers.
So much of what we talk about in terms of reconciliation within the classroom and education system cannot be achieved without the knowledge and help of our elders. Our elders are our keepers.
Take away #2: Land-based and experiential learning is beneficial in many ways. Mental health builds a connection to land, improves understanding, develops environmental awareness, a connection to each other, a sense of belonging, and so much more.
Getting the students out of a classroom setting can do wonders. I had a student whose anxiety was so severe in the classroom that they were unable to speak without their hand infant of their mouth and looking down. They also had to sit alone, and couldn’t speak to others. When we got them out of the classroom, this student was telling stories, speaking loud, fishing with others, sharing fishing equipment, playing games, etc. This student was a completely different student outside of the classroom.
Take away #3: Collaboration is everything.
just from the conversations and dialogue that happened during this retreat, made me further believe that this profession is not for those who want to work individually. The most beautiful things happen when we collaborate and the positive impacts that this has on the students is further confirming the importance of collaboration. When I talk about collaboration, I mean with other teachers, IEW’s, EA’s, Elders, Indigenous Peoples, students, the community, the land, and the families.
I am excited to work on these takeaways and share my knowledge and learnings with others to benefit the students and my overall teaching.
