A Journey
Toward Reconciliation
Shelagh
McCracken @shelagh77
HPEC
Executive Member, Middle School HPE Teacher
Indigenous
perspectives and moving toward reconciliation are areas of interest for me
and have become an important part of my job and my life. Today, June 2nd
marks the third anniversary of the Calls to Action by the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission. Last year my involvement in Curriculum Design for the province allowed
me to experience some of the history and culture of Alberta’s Indigenous people.
These experiences brought back my interest in First Nation spirituality, which
began when I taught in Siksika Nation. This school year began with a desire to
start a journey toward reconciliation. I wasn’t actually sure what that meant
or where I would begin. In November 2017, Ever Active Schools provided me with
an opportunity to attend and volunteer at Ever Active’s Resiliency Youth Summit,
which was an enlightening experience full of hands on opportunities for
Indigenous youth in Alberta. I recently took a class of grade 7s to a Pow Wow
hosted by the Niitsitapi Learning Center, and volunteered at Calgary Board of
Education’s Pow Wow to celebrate this year’s graduates.
This
year I also began creating a traditional games unit to use with my PE classes;
a unit that not only can be used on National Indigenous Peoples Day (which is June 21st
each year) but that can be a stand alone unit used anytime during the school
year. The University of Saskatchewan created a document which includes
descriptions of the games. I also use games from Be Fit For Life’s resource
(links to both resources below). As someone who works with predominately
Caucasian students, one of my goals is to inform as many youth as I can
about our Canadian history. Facilitating the Blanket Exercise for our
students is one way I am helping our student population begin to understand the
true history of our country.
By
experiencing and interacting with Indigenous people I have gained knowledge
from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, storytellers, singers, dancers, film makers
and spoken word artists. The Indigenous people and cultures I am continuing to
encounter portray themselves as resilient souls, full of grace, humour and a
keen sense of their culture. I also feel like they too are ready to heal
together by sharing their culture with anyone who would like to experience it. I
am often left with feelings of hope after attending an event. I have come to
realize that by inviting others on my journey to experience and embrace
Indigenous cultures and perspectives is a walk toward reconciliation. Let’s
walk together.
#IndigenousHistoryMonth
Resources
Be
Fit For Life - Move & Play
through Traditional Games Activity Cards
@bffl_calgary
Indigenous
Games – Cole Wilson, Saskatchewan Physical
Education Association
https://www.speaonline.ca/uploads/3/8/2/9/38299825/indiginous_games_handout_by_cole_wilson.pdf
PE Games (http://www.pegames.org/)
I recently purchased Volume 5 of PE Games (Pink book) at the HPEC Conference and it has a few Indigenous games. You can also email vp@pegames.org for deeper history and explanation of the games which is an important piece to include.
PE Games (http://www.pegames.org/)
I recently purchased Volume 5 of PE Games (Pink book) at the HPEC Conference and it has a few Indigenous games. You can also email vp@pegames.org for deeper history and explanation of the games which is an important piece to include.
Why our kids need to learn about residential schools
“Elder in Making”
I was able to
meet and listen to Cowboy Smithx during a conference session. Cowboy is a
Blackfoot film maker who made “Elder in Making”. It was powerful. You can
watch it on youtube. Here is episode 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYglFfTG0TE
@CowboySmithx
KAIROS Blanket Exercise from Alberta Teacher's Association
https://www.teachers.ab.ca/For%20Members/Professional%20Development/Workshops/First%20Nations/Pages/The-Blanket-Exercise.aspx
KAIROS Blanket Exercise from Alberta Teacher's Association
https://www.teachers.ab.ca/For%20Members/Professional%20Development/Workshops/First%20Nations/Pages/The-Blanket-Exercise.aspx
Others to follow on Twitter:
·
Dr. Cindy Blackstone - @cblackst (who
happens to be from very close to my hometownJ) Member of Gitxan Nation, prominent researcher and advocate for the
rights of children. Executive Director of the FirstNations Child and Family
Caring Society.
·
Brian Torrance - @briantorrance, an
amazing advocate for Indigenous people and the Director of Ever Active Schools.
·
F. N. Caring Society - @Caringsociety - The Caring Society stands with
First Nations children, youth, and families for equal opportunities to succeed.
·
The Circle - @TheCircleCanada- An open network to promote giving,
sharing, & #philanthropy with #Indigenous communities.
·
Reconciliation Canada - @Rec_Can - Revitalizing relationships among
Indigenous peoples & all Canadians through dialogue.
·
AFN - @AFN_Updates- The Assembly of First Nations is
the advocacy organization representing #FirstNations citizens
on Turtle Island.
·
CBC Indigenous - @CBCIndigenous - The latest news and current affairs
from Indigenous communities across Canada and @CBC
