Surrey Schools staff to learn about truth and reconciliation on Pro D day
Ahead of the second-annual National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, educators from across the district will learn about Indigenous history and culture as part of this year’s professional development offerings on the Monday, Sept. 26 non-instructional day.
The Aboriginal Learning and Priority Practices departments have organized a number of opportunities for teachers to reflect on their practice through workshops and hearing from Indigenous guest speakers.
“Our helping teachers have put together a great virtual opportunity with some breakout sessions,” said Juanita Coltman, principal of Aboriginal Learning. “We’ve organized one big event for the whole district and then they can join us in honouring and respecting the day.”
Michelle Good
On Monday morning, Cree lawyer and award-winning author Michelle Good will deliver a virtual keynote. Good is a descendent of the Battle River Cree and a member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation. An advocate for residential school survivors, her first novel, Five Little Indians, is a tale about a group of teenagers finding their way after being released from years of detention. Good received the Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction for the novel, among other accolades.
Secondary English and social studies departments will attend a virtual session to focus on the new Indigenous-Focused Graduation Requirement, including background, resources and time for questions. Other secondary department sessions and discussion guides for various content areas will be led by helping teachers. Elementary staff will have opportunities for independent, grade group and school-based planning time.
Michael Redhead Champagne
In the afternoon, author and storyteller Michael Redhead Champagne of the Shamattawa First Nation will round out the day with a virtual keynote. Known for his inspirational, action-oriented take on topics affecting youth and families, Champagne has been featured on multiple TEDx Talks and APTN’s Michif Country & First Contact, as well as local news and podcasts. His first children’s book, We Need Everyone, is scheduled to be released in early 2023.
Additionally, staff will have other opportunities during the week for further professional development. From Sept. 27-29, teachers may attend virtual after-school sessions from 3:30-5 p.m. on topics such as ‘Being an Ally in Reconciliation’ and ‘The Sixties Scoop.’
Teachers will also be provided virtual classroom sessions to share with their students during the week, including sessions on Coast Salish Art and hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Halkomelem) language, and a session with Melanie Florence, an award-winning author of Cree and Scottish heritage.
