Empowering the Next Generation Through Education for True Reconciliation

I am an educator because I firmly believe that education is a powerful tool that shapes the next generations. I personally think that it is within classrooms where real change begins. By educating young people about our true shared history, we empower them to be agents of change and creating a generation where reconciliation is possible. Today I would like to share my thinking about how we can engage in the work of creating change agents in the classroom.  

Education goes beyond just sharing facts; it shapes how students see the world. When students are given the opportunities to explore the complexities of history, they gain valuable insights into the experiences of others. This invites then into learning about other perspectives and worldviews.

When teachers integrate stories from various cultures into the curriculum, they help students appreciate the wealth of experiences that form our shared history. This approach not only honors marginalized voices but also encourages critical thinking about past events and their ongoing impact today. Giving a deeper understanding that there are multiple stories happening at one time, they all are valid, and all are important to know and learn about.

To engage effectively in reconciliation, we must understand the multifaceted history of our communities across this place known as Canada today. This history includes the history that has been hidden from us through education and is now being talked about, shared, and written about by Indigenous People.  By highlighting these stories from Indigenous people, we can create a narrative that is more reflective of our society of the past and today.

Teaching about Indigenous Peoples' experiences not only reveals the effects of colonization but also highlights their ongoing resilience and contributions. These are not just one-off lessons on September 30 and June 21, but fully intergraded into the year-round curriculum. This means that as educators it is our role and responsibility to learn and unlearn ourselves so that we can make sure we are including this into our teaching practice.

I think one of the most frequent questions I receive when speaking is “can you suggest one book that will support this learning?” “Where can I start?” these questions are a sign that people want to step in but what I would like to encourage is that there isn’t one book, there are many and it needs people to read many to know how to do this work. You don’t have to do it all at once, but small steps for change are needed.

I encourage you to learn one new thing about Indigenous Peoples of this land, learn all that you can about it. Share that information with those around you. Then create a lesson about it and share it with your class. Then once you have done that, learn something else and repeat.

I think the best thing that you can do as an educator is to be curious, whose voices are in my lesson? Whose voices are missing from this lesson? Start to include multiple voices within all your lessons. This way students will gain a deeper understanding of many perspectives.

Critical thinking is vital for success in today’s complex world. By prompting students to analyze historical events and their implications, educators nurture informed citizens who can contribute meaningfully to reconciliation efforts. Assignments that ask students to research different perspectives on a single event can be particularly useful in building that critical lens.

For education to advance reconciliation, classrooms must be spaces where dialogue can flourish. Students need to feel safe discussing challenging topics. Teachers play a crucial role here by setting the framework for respectful communication and promoting open-mindedness.

A well-structured classroom discussion can lead to significant learning moments. I personally ground each classroom in the 4 R’s of Verna Kirkness and Ray Barnhardt’s work. I speak about it at the beginning of all my talks and every time I start class.  First Nations and Higher Education: The Four R's - Respect, Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility. It is a must read for all of those in education.

Educators are pivotal in shaping students' understanding of history and reconciliation. By embracing their role as advocates for change, they can inspire students to become voices for social justice. Investing in students’ education paves the way for a more just future. Young people today will become the leaders of tomorrow, fostering a world where reconciliation becomes a lived reality, and not just a concept.