# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

The importance of stories & story-telling, the importance of the land, the importance of experiential learning, the importance of ancestors and elders, recognizing the consequences of one’s actions,  and that some knowledge is seen as sacred and can only be shared in certain situations/with permission. (A lot of this is referenced in the First Peoples Principles of Learning which is a major tool in BC).

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?’

I feel as though I have more knowledge of BC First Peoples than Ontario. I also would say I have a solid understanding of the history of the fur trade, residential schooling, the importance of the, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and the Indian Act, . Therefore, I would love to learn more about the First Nation’s in Ontario, including some of our specific treaties and more of their traditions/customs)

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

In BC, we reference the First Peoples Principles of Knowing which is something I would recommend. (You don’t even have to explicitly reference it – for e.g. teaching students that learning sometimes requires patience is cross-cultural in my opinion). As well, in the past, when teaching Science to middle school students, I was able to make comparisons between Traditional Ecological Knowledge vs. western science and how they can/ought to be used together. (AKA we can show students how Indigenous culture/ways of learning is complementary to methods that we might be used to)

# data[].attributes.headline
Sarah Donais's Response to Indigenous Peoples 

# data[].attributes.subject
Sarah Donais's Response to Indigenous Peoples 

# data[].attributes.body
1. I already know that Indigenous culture is not just one entity. There are many differences between Indigenous groups, for example the Anishinaabe live by the Seven Grandfather Teachings. In general, I know there is a focus on connecting with the land and being grateful for its gifts. I know there is a focus on maintaining languages and passing down their rich knowledge through stories.

2. I would still like to learn more from Indigenous people themselves. Any experiences I have had learning directly from someone have been memorable. This past school year my class went on a field trip with two Cree leaders and they informed us about the history of the lands surrounding Queen's Park. My students got to participate in an opening ceremony and pass around a burning piece of sage. We also got to learn in detail about the trees. I hope to have more experiences like this in the future to continue to learn more.

3. I try to embed Indigenous learning into all aspects of my classroom programming. I teach students about residential schools, treaties, history past and present, etc. The best learning experiences are from an Indigenous person themselves. We had an Elder visit our school a few times and have discussions with students in our library. Students gained a lot from the stories he shared.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

Being a history teacher, I have a fair amount of knowledge about the interworkings and customs of various Indigenous societies; however, I did not take a ton of Indigenous history courses, so what I know is still relatively surface-level. I also specialized in Environmental Education during my B.Ed. So I got to do a lot of work with Indigenous leaders to learn how to appropriately and respectfully utilize Indigenous teachings in my classroom.

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

I have learned a lot about envrionmental stewardship and Indigenous ideas of reciprocity. I would like to learn more about medicine and how to properly care for people using Indigenous practices while remaining respectful to the land. I would also like to learn more about the roles of Two-Spirit individuals since they are an often forgotten about and misunderstood identity.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

I can incorporate environmentalism into my classroom by infusing sustainability into my lessons. This can be. done through reusing materials and sharing, as well as using environmentalism as inspiration to encourage positive activism.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

I recognize and can articulate the importance of their land and how their relationship to nature is embedded in their teachings and practices. I am also aware that there are many biases and stereotypes of Indigenous culture encompassing all communities. Indigenous groups also prioritize storytelling and passing knowledge down from Elders.

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

I would like to learn more about Indigeneous communities, and the differences between each band. I would love the opportunity to learn directly from an Elder or leader so that I can advocate with correct language in regards to the issues of social justice these communities are still experiencing today. It is important to bring the learning outside of the classroom or video, and onto the land that was founded before us.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

I aim to provide meaningful purpose when reciting our Land Acknowledgements and bringing awareness to Indigenous Culture when exploring Social Studies in my elementary classroom. It is important that students find ways to make these connections on their own, so that they can understand a variety of perspectives. Knowing that I wasn't exposed to these connections as a student myself, I try to place emphasis on Indigenous practices so that they can draw parallels with our Catholic Faith and Core Values as caretakers of the Earth.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

Something I already know regarding Indigenous Culture is that it is very diverse with a various number of groups, languages, traditions, and cultures, and you can not group all of them into one single category. I also am aware that Indigenous people have and maintained a strong relationship with their land through traditions, story telling, and ceremonies. To add to that, I am aware that Indigenous culture and traditions have been around for a long time and that they have been passed down through generations.

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

Something I have learned about Indigenous people is the high number of disadvantages they face in education. This might be because the school board or system might not fully understand and respect the cultural differences between students which will lead to them being overlooked and not treated in the same manner as other students.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

I can incorporate this into my classroom by creating and formulating lessons and activities that foster Indigenous culture and ideas. This will not only allow other students to learn more about Indigenous culture and Canada’s history, but allow those Indigenous students to fully express themselves in an inclusive way.  For example, I can create lessons that revolve around Indigenous traditions, books, and culture, and allow those Indigenous students to “teach” the rest of the class.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?
I know that Indigenous cultures are incredibly diverse, with unique languages, traditions, and worldviews that emphasize community, connection to the land, and holistic ways of knowing. Through my FNMI ABQ, I’ve also learned how storytelling, ceremony, and oral traditions are central to passing down knowledge, and how resilience has been at the heart of Indigenous communities despite the lasting impacts of colonization and residential schools.

What have you learned, and what would you still like to learn?
I’ve learned a lot about the importance of truth-telling, especially the need to teach students about the history and intergenerational impacts of residential schools. I’ve also learned how important it is to teach in a way that doesn’t just focus on trauma, but also celebrates Indigenous strength, contributions, and ways of knowing. I would still like to learn more about local Indigenous communities and their specific histories, languages, and traditions, so I can build stronger, authentic connections between my teaching and the land and community I live and work in.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?
I can incorporate this into my classroom by intentionally weaving Indigenous voices and perspectives throughout the curriculum, not just as a “unit” but as an ongoing thread. This could look like bringing in Indigenous authors and illustrators in literacy, highlighting Indigenous innovations and contributions in science and history, and inviting Elders or Knowledge Keepers into the classroom when possible. I also want to create space for students to reflect on their own positionality, while modeling that learning about Indigenous cultures and reconciliation is a lifelong journey, not something with a quick “finish line.”

# data[].attributes.headline
Indigenous People - Jennifer's response 

# data[].attributes.subject
Indigenous People - Jennifer's response 

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

Coming from a language background, I do not have a lot of knowledge regarding indigenous culture, howeverI already knew that thoe of FNMI background t are very proud of their culture and want to share and want you to learn about it, but that it is very misrepresentative

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

What I have learned about indigenous people's in education terms is that it is ok to admit that you don't know anything because you weren't taught yourself properly by those around you and your own education, misrepresentation through media and materials, etc., and that it is OK to admit that you don't know and that you do need help and resources because it is a touchy subject for some and you don't wanna do more harm by thinking you know what you're teaching and everything when you actually have no clue how to begin.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

In my classroom, I can make sure that I use diverse materials that depict people of different cultures, but one important one I think I should do because I don't have a lot of knowledge is ask for help from the community such as elders or FNMI organizations and have them come into my class.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?
I am familiar with the importance of oral storytelling, and the incorporation of practices like sharing circles in communication and preservation of history. ​I know that academia and the Canadian education system has historically erased these ways of knowing. One concept that I have always found interesting is the idea of two eyed seeing which was introduced by a respected Mi’kmaq Elder, recognizing the strength behind using both Indigenous ways of knowing and western competencies together.

What have you learned, and what would you still like to learn?
Since attending Catholic elementary school,  I’ve learned a lot about the impacts of Catholicism in colonialism and residential schools, and how resilient Indigenous communities are. I’d love to learn more about my local Indigenous Nations, the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe and how to bring community members from these Nations into my teaching in a meaningful way.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

In my classroom, I ideally want to bring in local Indigenous people so my students can learn directly from elders and knowledge keepers. I would also like to incorporate experiential learning by creating a penpal system with a local Indigenous school. I believe that if my students are interacting with Indigenous youth who are around their age, it would encourage non-Indigenous students to experience a “window” into another culture. I'd also bring land-based learning into the classroom by taking students outdoors to explore the connections between living things, which are central to many Indigenous cultures.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

I know that this is a very diverse culture with many languages, traditions, and perspectives. They celebrate through song, dance, and are very passionate when it comes to storytelling and connecting it to their land. As a music teacher I know that drumming, and powwows hold cultural significance and I enjoy teaching my students about several different songs they play and the meaning behind it. Residential schools and systemic racism have deeply impacted Indigenous families and communities and I know that we must work together to heal and move forward in order to strengthen our relationship.

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

I have learned that Indigenous people are still facing struggles and are sometimes perceived differently because of their Indigenous culture making school more difficult for children and finding jobs more difficult for adults. I have learned that it is importance to respect the Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems and the perspectives they have on worldviews. I learned that National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a great day to recognize the harm and injustice that was done and to take responsibility moving forward. I would like to learn more about how to properly integrate more Indigenous studies into my lessons. I would like to learn more about local Indigenous groups, their histories, and traditions and possibly interview individuals to help deepen my knowledge. I can also learn more about the importance of their traditions such as storytelling, dancing, drumming, and singing.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

We always start each day with the land acknowledgement to show respect and recognition for Indigenous Peoples and their land. I can invite community members to share stories, teachings, or cultural practices. If students can hear it from the individuals themselves, I feel that it will have a greater impact on there learning. As a teacher we always model respect to ensure that our classroom is inclusive to all cultures where everyone feels safe to share their voice. Students will have opportunities to research Indigenous culture, traditions, history through inquiry projects.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

A lot of knowledge regarding Indigenous culture has come from my time living in an Indigenous community and attending several different gatherings where we’ve gone over different traditional things they do such as smudging and dancing in celebration. Incorporating elements of their way of life such as using their stories, traditions, and other methods of practicing and sharing culture are such a big part of their life. Understanding and accepting this alternative lifestyle can be really interesting and there are a lot of things we can learn through approaching problems and life in general in the same ways they do. Learning about new cultures is always worth taking a peek, you’ll never know what to expect until you give it a try.

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

Learning about the ways those from different cultures continue to face difficulty in classrooms is always very disheartening to hear and emphasizes the importance of doing the things we can as educators to ensure the safety and well-being of our students in the classroom. What I’d like to learn is how to continue to improve myself to be the best teacher I can and to be prepared for any situations like that where student(s) feel outcast or uncomfortable in the class. I hope that I’ll be equipped with the tools to help support that student through whatever they need.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

Taking the time to make sure I fully understand the topics before I teach a lesson to make sure I’m not missing anything important, or if there have been any updated terms that need to be revisited. Also taking the time to make sure I understand the backgrounds of students in my class so that I know what I might even need to look out for if its content relates to one specific culture that one of my students may be a part of. Doing my due diligence ensures that if any content that a student may be sensitive to does come up, there are strategies and tools in place to help us proceed through the situation.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

I know that Indigenous culture is incredibly mindful especially when it comes to relationships with each other, the land, and history. I know that Indigenous culture is generous and welcoming.

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

I've learned about the seven principles and about using oral traditions and learning circles. I'd like to learn more about how these practices are used currently by Indigenous teachers and professionals in a way that is still honest and authentic but also opens up to mixing with other cultural practices.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

I absolutely love incorporating learning circles in our classroom I think it is such a beautiful and effective way to foster learning through connection. It's so disarming for students and I have yet to have a class I do it with that doesn't benefit. As a homeschooler I have also been connecting learning with the land whether it is in actual lessons or simply sitting outside to do a lesson. It is grounding for students and helps with focus and understanding.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

I already know that Indigenous culture is rooted in a deep connection to the land. Indigenous people use sacred medicines such as, sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and tobacco and use the medicine wheel to balance spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional aspects of being. The Seven Grandfather teachings: Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Humility, Wisdom, and Truth, are also used as a moral code. I also know the Indigenous people value oral story-telling and have intergenerational trauma from residentials schools and the sixties scoop.

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

I would still like to learn about Indigenous disparities in schools today and how Indigenous children are doing in current educational settings. I’d also like to learn how I can best incorporate Indigenous teachings into a Social Science class, potentially through exploring more on government policies and treaties that were broken. Additionally, I would like to learn more from elders and through participation in ceremonies.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

I can incorporate Indigenous teachings into the classroom by planning and inviting guest speakers, showing videos of elders and indigenous experiences, reading books about Indigenous experiences, reading policies and historical documents on treaties, research/inquiry, and studying surveys.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know about Indigenous culture?

I've had the pleasure of being able to learn about indigenous culture multiple times throughout my post-secondary schooling. This was not only through FNMI classes during my bachelor of education, but in undergrad, I was able to take an indigenous ways of knowing class. These courses opened my eyes to many different perspectives and teachings that inform indigenous culture, and ways to incorporate them into our own understanding. In particular, the Indigenous Ways of Knowing course had multiple lectures from local elders, and their wealth of knowledge was very eye-opening, particularly in the ways they valued and viewed the land and tradition.

What did you learn, and what would you still like to learn?

Through my learning opportunities, I have not only had a chance to learn Indigenous ways of teaching, but the ways in which they face marginalization within white-dominated spaces like education. I hope to continue to learn ways in which to challenge that marginalization, and how to support indigenous voices within my own classroom in a responsive and respectful way.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

While many actionable changes can add visible diversity or indigenous concepts within the physical space of the classroom or content, I think a vital step to meaningfully incorporating indigenous knowledge into the classroom is via our pedagogy. By ensuring our mindset and planning are paying attention to concepts like challenging colonialist attitudes and engaging with indigenous ways of knowing, we can add these ideas to our classroom beyond the surface level, and have them felt in the culture of the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?
As someone who is Métis, I’ve come to understand that Indigenous culture is not one story but many. I didn’t find out about my Métis identity until I was a teenager because my grandfather had hidden it from us out of fear of discrimination. Learning this later in life has shaped how I see myself and my role as a teacher. It has made me more aware of the importance of identity, belonging, and how history and prejudice have impacted families in very personal ways.

What have you learned, and what would you still like to learn?
I’ve learned about the lasting impacts of colonization, like residential schools and the Indian Act, but I’ve also seen the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples. For me, I’ve been on a journey of reconnecting with my Métis heritage and finding ways to embrace that part of my identity. That said, I would like to learn more about local traditions and practices connected to the Nations where I live and teach, and also deepen my knowledge of Métis history, language, and culture so I can carry it forward authentically.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?
I see my identity as Métis as both a responsibility and a gift. In the classroom, I can share my own journey of learning and reconnecting while also bringing in authentic Indigenous voices through resources, elders, and knowledge keepers. Furthermore I want my students to understand that Indigenous identity is living, diverse, and something that continues to grow. By weaving Indigenous perspectives into everyday lessons, and by creating a safe space for deep conversations and reflection and I can help my students see the challenges but also the pride that come with identity.

# data[].attributes.body
What do you already know regarding Indigenous culture?

I know that Indigenous culture in Canada is represented by 3 main groups: First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Each of these communities has distinct languages, traditions, and ways of life. Many traditions are preserved through storytelling. The Indigenous communities hold a deep connection to the land and nature.

What have you learned, and what you would still like to learn?

I have learned that the Indigenous communities continue to face injustice and inequities. Intergenerational trauma still deeply affects families and communities. While some efforts have been made toward reconciliation, I believe that much more is needed, including meaningful reparations and improved culturally appropriate services. I would like to learn more about Indigenous perspectives on education, and how to respectfully integrate these into my teaching practice.

How can you incorporate this into your classroom?

I recognize the importance of incorporating Indigenous voices and resources into my classroom. As a teacher in a French-language school, I face some challenges in accessing appropriate materials, but I’m committed to seeking support from my school board to find and adapt these resources in French.