Indigenous elders share their stories with youth at Learning Centres

Another partnership between Aboriginal Learning and the district's five Learning Centres has created a new opportunity for Indigenous youth and elders to connect through the power of storytelling.

Since November, each Learning Centre has hosted a weekly presentation by Indigenous elders who have shared their stories, allowing youth to learn from and reflect on their teachings and life experiences. The idea was sparked by Nancy Johnson, a Transition Facilitator Teacher with the Aboriginal Learning department. Johnson acquired outside funding and connected with local First Nation communities, and City Central Learning Centre principal Doug Litke assisted by coordinating the five learning centres.

"I wanted to find a way to connect elders and youth, as it's been difficult to have these opportunities over the pandemic," Johnson said.

"Nancy and I worked together the past four years on the West Coast Art & Carving program at Queen Elizabeth Continuing Education," said Litke. "With this storytelling project, it started with her idea and it grew we make it sound simple but everything starts with an idea."

The presentations feature elders from different First Nations communities, including Cherokee, Gitxsan, Nisga'a and members of the Coast Salish First Nations. Johnson said each brings a unique perspective with the varied stories shared with students.

"Our first elder shared traditional teaching stories, a second focused on cultural understanding and a broader view of how we look at Indigenous spaces," she said.

Others shared personal stories about residential schools, racism and life experiences as a lacrosse player, while the final session focused on the story behind a carved wolf pole. Each of the elders spoke of the importance of our youth to connect to their Indigenous communities, and Indigenous languages.

"All of these stories give youth a window into those spaces, but also inspire them to reflect about themselves." said Johnson. "It's important to me that these students have time to reflect on each story by hosting them once a week."

The presentations take place during the lunch hour and are livestreamed so students from other Learning Centres can watch remotely.

"It's always great to hear these stories in person, but this is a way for us to engage more kids than just the students at one site," said Litke.