On Thursday Nov 9th, our whole staff participated in Maatoomsii’Poolaiks (Children First) Indigenous Education Professional Learning Day to develop and apply foundational knowledge of Indigenous Education in the CBE. As a Board we are committed to acknowledging and responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action, which includes providing education on the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Indigenous rights, Indigenous law, and Indigenous-Crown relations (TRC Call to Action #57). When we do this, we will improve our individual and systemic practice to ensure that “CBE students who self-identify as Indigenous are supported to experience improved achievement and well-being" (CBE Education Plan).
On Nov 9th, we focused on the “Heart” domain of the medicine wheel which focuses on belonging. To create a space where students who self-identify as Indigenous feel welcomed and belonging, we at Ron Southern School have and are taking the following actions:
- Making the land acknowledgment an essential practice in our school community
- Valuing and exploring Indigenous values, cultures, and languages across the curriculum
- Inviting Indigenous knowledge keepers into the school to share knowledge with staff and students
- Developing our capacity to use strength-based, restorative practices that foster inclusion, such as the “Reflection for Regulation” tool.
- Incorporating talking circles as a way of facilitating discussion with and amongst students and staff
- Providing opportunities for Indigenous land-based learning.