Professional Learning
Key Ideas
Ways of Knowing, Ways of Doing, Ways of Being.
When considering professional learning to support Truth and Reconciliation, one must consider the importance of self-evaluation and growth and development to stay up to date with the science of trauma, the evolving history of Canada, and current affairs affecting the Indigenous population in Canada.
Staff can unknowingly contribute to the process of assimilation by allowing curriculum topics rather than Indigenous perspectives and issues to be at the center of their teaching. Integration needs to be more than simply adding Indigenous perspectives when convenient to a curriculum that is largely Eurocentric.
When engaging in Professional learning focus on experiencing culture over obtaining knowledge to deepen personal connection, realization, and meaning of your understanding.
Dismantling Anti-Indigenous Racism
Decolonizing Education
Dr. Susan D. Dion speaks about ways teachers can decolonize education in this video titled Introducing and Disrupting the Perfect Stranger.
Decolonizing Disney Princesses by Keeta Gladue HERE
For further learning on decolonizing education click HERE
Appropriation
Dr. Susan D. Dion speaks about the ways teachers can be conscious of appropriating teachers knowledge.
What is the difference between appropriating and teaching content from the position a teacher occupies? Watch this video to learn more.
Cultural Appreciation vs Appropriation HERE
College of Alberta School Superintendents
This video introduces the significance of learning about laws and policies aimed at the assimilation, colonization, and genocide of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Some of the many laws and policies aimed at assimilation, colonization and genocide include the Doctrine of Discovery, the Gradual Civilization Act (1857), the British North America Act (1867), the Indian Act (1876), forced relocation, the Pass System, residential schools, Métis Scrip, Project Surname, the Inuit Tag System, and the Sixties Scoop. These laws and policies had and continue to have detrimental mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional effects on Indigenous Peoples through first-hand traumatic experiences as well as through intergenerational trauma.
This introductory video supports a digital guide that features accessible resources that relate to Laws and Policies
Links to Resources for Learning:
Staff Learning Link - build teacher capacity through available tools and resources
Alberta Regional Learning Consortium - Link HERE
Access and utilize IMC kits and resources to support integrating artifacts, perspectives, culture, and history into classrooms - Link HERE
“Clearly to be successful, schools require access to superior professional development programs that engage teachers in meaningful experiences regarding FNMI culture, issues, and perspectives.”
Promising Practices - First Nations, Métis and Inuit School-community learning environment project May 2007
Activities to engage in as a staff
Bring in Elders and Knowledge Keepers for school PD - indigenous culture, issues, and perspectives and should utilize the expertise of indigenous community members.
Utilize the Indigenous Lead Learning Teachers school representative as a learning lead on Indigenous content and resources.
Experience local culture together: Build capacity and foundational knowledge of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples by taking opportunities to experience local culture and attend local Pow Wow’s, Round Dances, engage in conversations with indigenous community members, attend workshops and conferences focused on FNMI culture.
Engage with Indigenous perspectives of current events: at staff meetings or on PD days: Engaging with current literature, film, news that supports current issues as a staff. View Indigenous sources of news (ie. CBC Indigenous, Windspeaker, Alberta Native News, APTN - Aboriginal Peoples Television Network).
Take excursions to experience learning from the land: Attend culturally relevant historical sites - Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Glenbow Museum, Heritage Park, Blackfoot Crossing, Spitzee Crossing.
Attend a conference: In Alberta the following organizations hold annual conferences: