Today’s episode is to help shed light on a very important topic here in Canada.  I do want to front load all of the listeners that there is some graphic and disturbing content in the intro of this podcast.  

Our country has a tragically sad history when it comes to the treatment of Indigenous people. Recently, the remains of 215 children were discovered at the Kamloops Indian Residential school.  Our guest today, Nadine McSpadden, has a personal connection with this school and graciously agreed to speak with us to help open up these difficult conversations. 

Please consider making a donation to the Indian Residential School Survivor Society: 

https://www.irsss.ca

Nadine McSpadden: 

-       Secwepemc Nation, Shuswap Indian Band

-       Helping Teacher for Aboriginal Learning, Surrey School District

-       My dream is that every teacher participates in reconciliation.  I love how the Early Childhood Framework defines reconciliation and this is how I interpret their definition.  We heal relationships by valuing Indigenous Peoples.  We show value by forging personal connections, by showcasing authentic resources in all areas of the curriculum and by making a commitment to participate in community events where we build background knowledge about the people of who’s traditional territories we reside.  By creating these relationships, we can redefine how schools are perceived by those who have been hurt.  School can become a place where Indigenous knowledge is celebrated and where diversity of language and culture is recognized.  

-       Twitter: @NadineMcSpadden

Nadine begins by guiding us through how to make land acknowledgments more personal and authentic.  She speaks to “How are we unique? And how are we similar to other cultures?” 

 “How can we make our schools a safe place to be?” Let’s begin by looking at the resources in our schools – are they inclusive, authentic and respectful?  

Who has the right to share stories? Teachers have the responsibility to do their due diligence; there are some things that aren’t meant to be shared. 

Resources: 

Saanich moon kit: https://sites.google.com/sd63.bc.ca/sd63indigenoused/resource-kits/the-saanich-year-resource-kit

Surrey School District’s Aboriginal resources for teachers: https://aboriginalresourcesforteachers.weebly.com

A website Nadine created for outdoor learning:  https://aboriginalresourcesforteachers.weebly.com/outdoor-learning.html   

Many Voices One mind https://www.manyvoicesonemind.ca/

Samples of Language Books 

-       Stand Like Cedar – Nicola Campbell 

-       Metis Series – Fiddle Dancer (dual language book), The Christmas Mittens, Metis New Year and many more)

Websites that support First Nation Language/story

-       Firstvoices.org (each language page has stories, songs and vocabulary to learn)

-       CBC Kids (great videos on What is a Pow Wow, What is Regalia and many more)

Strong Nations: https://www.strongnations.com

-       Order the Pacific Northwest Plant cards here  

FNESC (First Nation Education Steering Committee): http://www.fnesc.ca