Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

Indigenous Education Professional Development Subsidy

Funding has once again been allocated to subsidize professional development in the area of Indigenous Education. Education staff are eligible to receive a subsidy if they successfully complete a course in Indigenous Education prior to August 31, 2025.  This includes, but is not limited to, AQ and ABQ courses.  Other programs and opportunities may be supported, upon approval by the Indigenous Education Team.  Please reach out to them with questions regarding eligibility at ieteam@rcdsb.on.ca. 

The amount of the subsidy is to be determined based on the number of applicants.  If you are interested in being considered for a subsidy, please complete the Indigenous Education PD Subsidy Form. 

Below you will find upcoming professional learning opportunities in the area of Indigenous Education.

Les 4 saisons de la réconciliation est un outil pédagogique unique qui vise à promouvoir un renouvellement des relations entre les Peuples autochtones et les Canadiens par l’entremise d’un apprentissage transformateur.

May-November

Le module pédagogique des 4 saisons de la réconciliation est actuellement en train d’être adapté pour être utilisé à des fins de formation professionnelle au travail ainsi que dans les organisations confessionnelles.

Cette intégration de nos resources à votre milieu de travail ou à votre lieu de culte pourrait faciliter l’adoption de l’Appel # 57 de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada, qui traite entre autres de sensibilisation à l’égard des fonctionnaires.

Si ce volet pédagogique vous intéresse, veuillez nous contacter pour plus de renseignements.

FREE 60 min Virtual Workshop on Tuesday, May 27 at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern Time

With Author, Ethnobotanist and Community Educator Styawat / Dr. Leigh Joseph

Styawat / Dr. Leigh Joseph is an ethnobotanist, researcher, and community activist whose aim is to contribute to cultural knowledge renewal in connection to Indigenous plant foods and medicines. As part of this mission, she founded Sḵwálwen Botanicals, an Indigenous business creating small-batch botanical skincare products based in British Columbia, Canada. Honoring traditional Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) plant knowledge, they incorporate wild-harvested plants and organic, high-quality ingredients. She shares her Indigenous plant knowledge in written form in her books Held by the Land and The Land Knows Me. She is a member of the Squamish Nation.

Join Styawat / Dr. Leigh Joseph to learn about Indigenous plant relationships and how we are all connected to nature through plant-based foods, medicines, and materials. The best way to learn about plants is through observing and interacting with living examples. Leigh will share how you can strengthen your connection to the Land where you are through exploration, such as harvesting herbs and other plants and using them topically, sharing North American plants that can treat common ailments, add nutrition to your diet, become part of your beauty regime, stories and traditions about native plants from the author’s Squamish culture.

Come into being held and known by the land with Styawat / Dr. Leigh Joseph beautiful books:

• For Adults, Secondary & Post-Secondary Students: Held by the Land: A Guide to Indigenous Plants for Wellness

• For the Primary Years: The Land Knows Me: A Nature Walk Exploring Indigenous Wisdom

All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes and will receive a link to the recording. All attendees will be able to access a Certificate of Attendance.

FREE 60 min Virtual Workshop on Tuesday, June 3 at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern Time

With Indigenous Authors, Artists and Educators Leona Prince, Leah Marie Dorion, Myah Birrell and Launa Purcell

Join three fantastic Indigenous educators as they share about Indigenous Learning Resources suitable for elementary-aged learners. From connecting to story, understanding and appreciating cultural teachings to deepening curiosity and nature connection through an Indigenous inquiry lens, this workshop will give you lots of Monday-ready takeaways to embed in your learning setting.

• Launa Purcell is a member of Xa’xtsa First Nation. She is an Indigenous Educator with a focus on outdoor education. Launa teaches yoga and mindfulness in addition to Indigenous outdoor camps. Launa is the proud mother of two adult children. She has published 2 books on Indigenous teachings and connection to the land, including Heartbeat of the Earth and Whispers of the Earth.

• Leona Prince is from the Lake Babine Nation and Nak’azdli Whut’en and belongs to the Lhts’umusyoo (Beaver) Clan. Leona is an award-winning educator and is currently the Director of Instruction of Indigenous Education for School District 91 (Nechako Lakes). She has authored Be a Good Ancestor and A Dance Through the Seasons.

• Leah Marie Dorion is a Métis artist, author, curriculum developer, lecturer and researcher. She has taught Métis History and Native Studies for the First Nations University of Canada, the Gabriel Dumont Institute and the University of Saskatchewan. She is also a visual artist and an instructor at the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program. Her artwork celebrates the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and families.  Leah is also a published children’s book author and illustrator – her Métis ‘Connecting to the Land’ Book Bundle provides 10 excellent learning resources for kids to explore Métis knowledge, culture and history connected to the land. It includes translations into Michif, and offers incredibly vibrant illustrations giving insight into Métis life. 

• Myah Birrell (she/her) is of Algonquin of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation and Canadian ancestry. She is an educator (OCT) and a graduate of the Masters of Arts in Child Study and Education program through OISE at University of Toronto. Myah has an undergraduate degree in Critical Gender Studies and is focused on creating classroom spaces that are anti-oppressive and justice focused. Myah is currently employed at Kapapamahchakwew – Wandering Spirit School in the TDSB teaching grade 6/7 as well as the current Program Coordinator at Natural Curiosity. Myah is always thinking about ways that we can decolonize education through weaving Indigenous ways of knowing and being into all curriculum.

We invite you to spend time with these excellent Indigenous resources for Elementary age:

• Whispers of the Earth: A Journey through Indigenous Wisdom by Launa Purcell

• Be a Good Ancestor by Leona Prince

• A Dance through the Seasons by Leona Prince 

• Métis ‘Connecting to the Land’ Children’s Book Bundle by Leah Marie Dorion

And we also invite you to explore these excellent teacher resources:

1. Natural Curiosity: The Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Children’s Environmental Inquiry

2. Heartbeat of the Earth: Connecting Children to Nature through Indigenous Teachings

These 4 x 60 min sessions will include the power of ceremony, mindfulness, gratitude, All My Relations and Indigenous games.

These sessions will combine the core teachings of the books Heartbeat of the Earth and Whispers of the Earth. They will integrate the teachings into everyday life whether in the outdoor classroom, playschool or comfort of your backyard. 

Session Dates & Times:

• 4 x 60 min Virtual Sessions on Zoom

• 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern Time

• Wednesdays – July  2, 9, 16 & 23

Your contribution:

• Super Early Bird Registration: $100 ($25/session) until March 15 (please select this option if you are able)

• 50% Discounted Registration: $50($12.50/session) until March 15 (please select this option if price is a barrier)

• 25% Additional Discount for groups of 5 or more using this code at checkout: N945QEAF

Your course fee goes towards supporting our charity in covering the course costs, including ensuring that we compensate the course instructors adequately, and that we can continue to offer learning opportunities like these.

Registration includes:

• Access to 4 live 60-minute virtual sessions

• Links to the recordings of all sessions (available for up to 3 months after)

• A Certificate of Completion (4 Learning Hours)

Sessions:

Session 1: Heartbeat of the Earth: Nature is a place to both play and learn. The physical self is moving and active, the mental self is thinking and questioning, the emotional self is feeling and experiencing, while the spiritual self is connecting and thankful. This workshop will explore the 4 parts of self as they relate to land based learning. The activities instill traditional teachings of respect, resourcefulness, and humility through Indigenous Ways of Knowing.

Session 2: Whispers of the Earth:The wisdom of our ancestors surrounds us. These are precious teachings passed down through generations. In this workshop participants will explore the language of the animals, the teachings of the plants and the wisdom of the land. The focus will be on integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into your outdoor practice.

Session 3: The Role of Knowledge Keepers/Elders in Place Based Learning: This Session will investigate strategies to build relationships with Knowledge Keepers/Elders and to include them respectfully in the outdoor classroom. Topics include protocols for greeting and gifting, engagement, and gratitude.

Session 4: Mindfulness in Place Based Learning: This workshop will explore mindfulness as it relates to Indigenous Ways of Knowing. It incorporates the teachings of both Heartbeat of the Earth and Whispers of the Earth as they correspond to mindfulness. Attendees can expect to participate in various sensory based activities as they correlate to land connection.

Instructors:

Launa Payne is a member of Douglas First Nation. She is an Indigenous Educator with a focus on outdoor education. Launa teaches yoga and mindfulness in addition to Indigenous outdoor camps. She runs Rise Up Indigenous Wellness, and authored the book, Heartbeat of the Earth: Connecting Children to Nature through Indigenous Teachings and Whispers of the Earth: A Journey through Indigenous Wisdom.

Sherrelle Anderson is a member of the Saddle Lake First Nation. She is a Social Worker with a focus on Indigenous wellness. Sherrelle is an Indigenous outreach Worker who also teaches a number of Indigenous programs, and runs Rise Up Indigenous Wellness.

Carl Sam advises on language and culture, and is “Ha7li” of the Bear Clan from Skookumchuck, part of St’at’icmulh Nation, sometimes referred to as the Interior Salish.

You can sign up for 1 or more of these 4 Summer Creativity Workshops!

The summer is the perfect time for self reflection, for gentle reconnection and to reignite your passion, creativity and self-expression.

Join four incredible educators for their engaging, hands-on workshops designed to inspire your creativity as an educator, provide cross-curricular ideas for your upcoming school year and support your mental wellbeing as you go along. No prior art experience is necessary, and you will be learning by doing in each session!

These sessions will be about an hour in length, and will be held at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern time on Zoom. You can sign up for these individually, or as a series.

• Wednesday, August 6 – Richard Van Camp: Creative Writing

• Wednesday, August 13 – Billie Jo Reid: Nature Journaling

• Wednesday, August 20 – Leah Marie Dorian: Drawing in Nature

• Wednesday, August 27 –  Bill Helin: Drumming for Well-being

Registration includes:

• Access to live 60-minute virtual workshops with incredible facilitators

• Links to the recordings of all workshops (available for up to 3 months after)

• A Certificate of Completion (1 Learning Hour / Workshop)

Your contribution:

• Super Early Bird Registration: $95 for all 4 (or $25/session) until March 15

• Early Bird Registration: $115 for all 4 (or $30/session) until May 15

• Regular Registration: $135 for all 4 (or $35/session)

• 25% Additional Discount for groups of 5 or more using this code at checkout: N945QEAF

Your course fee goes towards supporting our charity in covering the course costs, including ensuring that we compensate the course instructors adequately, and that we can continue to offer learning opportunities like these.

Overview of Workshops:

Workshop 1: Creative Writing on Wednesday, August 6

Develop your creative writing skills as you participate in this engaging fiction writing workshop. Learn the skills of creative writing and how you can apply these with your learners in your coming year. Arrive ready to write whether with paper and pen or typing

Workshop facilitator Richard Van Camp is a proud member of the Dogrib (Tłı̨chǫ) Nation. He is a graduate of the Enowkin International School of Writing, the University of Victoria’s Creative Writing BFA Program, and the Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Richard is an internationally renowned storyteller and best-selling author of 30 books, including the co-author of The Journey Forward: 2 Novellas on Reconciliation for Youth.

Workshop 2: Nature Journaling on Wednesday, August 13th

A nature journal is a lens that focuses our attention and crystalizes our observations, thoughts, and experiences. The system is creative, rigorous, playful, easy to begin and learn, and will offer educators opportunities to assess learning in an enjoyable way for both educator and student alike. Come with paper, a writing tool and something from nature. This can be anything including a house plant, pet, fruit or vegetable from the kitchen.

Workshop facilitator Billie Jo Reid has a passion for the environment and education, and she has spent much of her career outdoors. Nature journaling has led to her work teaching students and adults, and facilitating workshops with John Muir Laws and the Wild Wonder Foundation. She will be sharing practices from Muir Laws’ book ‘How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention’.

Workshop 3: Drawing in Nature on Wednesday, August 20th

Join in for a practical drawing class to honour our relatives with roots, who teach us to care for all beings within our life to live in a healthy and balanced way. Easy to follow along, connect with and share later, Leah’s classes are part poetry, part art class and fully wholesome connection from start to finish. Please bring pencil, paper, coloured pencils or pens to be creative with.

Workshop facilitator Leah Marie Dorion is a Métis artist, author, curriculum developer, lecturer and researcher. She is a visual artist and an instructor at the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program and she paints imagery to celebrate life, honor earth, women, and natural law. Leah is the author and illustrator of the Métis ‘Connecting to the Land’ book bundle. 

Workshop 4: Drumming for Wellbeing: Cultural Drum Lifestyles on Wednesday, August 27th

Join Bill as he shares over 50 years of teachings from his drumming and cultural heritage. This engaging workshop will explore the ancient rhythms and vibrations that connect with all Nations and offer directions on how to integrate them into your everyday life, classroom and school community for fitness, better focus, balance, and cultural unity, oh and not to forget fun! No drum is necessary but if you have one you are welcome to bring it.

Workshop facilitator Bill Helin is of Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Norwegian descent and is a member of the Tsimshian Nation. He is an acclaimed artist, drummer, designer and cultural storyteller. He has illustrated many children’s books, including Animals Care for Mother Earth which is part of the Animals Care for Mother Earth Indigenous Learning Bundle.