Reconciliation Circle – September 28, 2023

Two words: thankful, and healing. What a privilege it was to gather on the traditional ancestral territory of the Lheidli Tenneh in honour of Truth and Reconciliation Day. We started with a fire circle while listening to Clayton Gauthier share his knowledge with us. His journey of finding himself through art and receiving the gifts given to him by the Creator displayed strength and resilience. I greatly appreciated him sharing his worldview with us; his words gave me so much to think about as I begin my journey as an educator. Validating and lifting up Indigenous voices is so important. Clayton’s story of how the education system and those around him made him feel crazy for having trees talking to him is one example. It is so important to empathize and encourage worldviews in all of our students, but especially with our Indigenous students. For so long discouraging Indigenous epistemologies has broken the relationship between First Nations Peoples and the education system. Welcoming all worldviews makes for an inclusive and a diverse classroom which makes the learning experience much more interesting and enjoyable. We are stronger together than apart. A question that I have been wrestling with throughout the program so far, and that I extend to knowledge holders and educators is this: The journey of finding oneself is so personal and a vulnerable process – what role to educators play in supporting our students to find themselves and embrace their gifts without fear of discouragement?

Courtesy of the UNBC Education Instagram Page, “Ceremonial Fire Circle”, September 28, 2023.

Following our fire circle with Clayton, we had the pleasure of listening and learning from the UHNBC drummers. The healing and resilience that took place in this circle was evident. A moment that stood out for me was the Women Warrior’s song. I loved how each “segment” started out with a woman singing powerfully and with intention while having the drums support her, followed by the entirety of the circle supporting her in song. It was so empowering and inviting to be a part of that circle and experience the songs shared with us. The day taught us about resiliency, but it also was a great example of community. Community formed with the land as well as community formed within our cohort. In the spirit of beginning a journey of self-discovery, I am so thankful for getting to take the first steps with the group in this photo. This is what inclusion looks like, what community looks like, and what reconciliation looks like. I am so thankful to have been a part of this experience.