In this episode, we meet with Naskapi educator Loretta Robinson from Kawawachikamach.  Loretta Robinson explores how education deepens when reconnected to the land, and how children thrive when their learning honours their own rhythm, language, and relationships.

Loretta begins by honouring us with stories of her childhood in Kawawachikamach—gathering medicines, listening to aunties, and witnessing a herd of caribou stride across a frozen lake. Those memories shaped her vision for the Naskapi Niistim program. This youth program, translated as  "Naskapi first", is rooted in Naskapi language, stories, the land and the caribou, placing Naskapi culture at the center. Daily practices like morning fires, seasonal teachings, and emotional check-ins in Naskapi help children nurture self-awareness and weave language into practical, lived moments.

Loretta also discussed the creation of Competency 15, designed to support Quebec educators in transitioning from a position of expert to that of learner. The "two rivers, one canoe" metaphor serves as a tool for reflection, encouraging teachers to thoughtfully integrate curriculum requirements with Indigenous knowledge systems while honouring the integrity and depth of both. Educators are invited to continually examine where they are in this ongoing journey of learning and relationship-building.

We concluded by exploring 'The Day on the Land' professional development initiative, which invites educators to Kawawachikamach to experience this approach in practice. Local Knowledge Keepers and Elders guide this experience. Educators interested in attending are encouraged to talk to their administrators and directors of education about the opportunities available to them. 

Reconciliation isn't a one-day event—it's a continuous journey of relationship building that extends far beyond September 30th. This thoughtful conversation with Rebecca Goertzen, Inclusive Education Consultant at Central Quebec School Board, and member of the Anishinaabe Nation, explores the complexities educators face when honoring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Quebec schools.

During our conversation, Rebecca talks about a cultural exchange project that took place last year between Quebec City students and Jimmy Sandy Memorial School in Kawawachikamach. This project created lasting connections between communities and demonstrated reconciliation in action. Through immersive experiences, such as language classes, cultural teachings from elders, and shared activities, students built relationships that transcended the program itself, demonstrating how thoughtfully designed initiatives can create ripples of understanding that extend far beyond classroom walls.

You can listen now to gain insights that will help your educational practice and deepen connections with the diverse communities that make up Quebec.

Interested in the free Truth and Reconciliation course that Rebekah and Drew Wapachee McDougall created? Visit the LEARN Moodle platform for more information!

How can AI be a tool for cultural preservation and education? We speak with Ali Mendi, Senior Director at Heritage Lab, a nonprofit based in Nunavik, Quebec, that is creating AI from an Indigenous-led perspective.

Hear how Heritage Lab is leading the way by prioritizing data sovereignty and putting digital control back into the hands of communities. This episode highlights the work they have done, how they’re engaging and training local youth to build and maintain practical educational tools, and their future plans to create new Indigenous grammar tools and educational platforms designed to empower Indigenous communities across the world with their own data.

If you want to learn more about Heritage Lab and their work, visit heritagelab.ca/ or follow AI Inuktitut on Facebook. Look out for their full resource launch this November -December.

Hello-Kwey: Let's Talk Education is a podcast where Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices from across Quebec come together to share knowledge, experiences, and innovative approaches that are reshaping education.

In this introductory episode, co-hosts Stacy Allen and Daphna Leibovici introduce the vision for the podcast and their personal journeys into this work.

This podcast's unique mission is to give a platform to the exceptional work happening in Quebec. By sharing these stories, we can collectively enhance education for all young people. Whether you’re an educator, student, or community member, subscribe now and be part of this journey toward educational transformation.

Explore Chris Colley's ShiftEd Podcast on our Digital Competency in Action Website.