Aamjiwnaang symposium designed to ‘educate the educators’

Tara Jeffrey About 75 educators from both local school boards are attending an upcoming symposium geared at providing better support for indigenous students and families.

Tara Jeffrey

About 75 educators from both local school boards are attending an upcoming symposium geared at providing better support for indigenous students and families.

The Aamjiwnaang First Nation Indigenous Educators’ Symposium, “Reconciliation through Education,” will be held May 4 and 5 at the Maawn Doosh Gamig Community and Youth Centre.

“It’s really about educating the educators,” said special projects administrator Marina Plain, pointing to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 2015 report. It gathered accounts of those affected by the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, and made 94 recommendations or calls to action.

“That’s where the idea came from — to help educators become familiar with the recommendations and give them ideas of how they can incorporate them into their daily work.

“It’s really important, especially with Canada celebrating its 150th, and with everyone talking about reconciliation,” Plain added. “To actually start action, and become educated and use the resources available in the Sarnia area.”

The symposium features guest speakers Eddy Robinson, an indigenous artist, activist and educator, and James Vukelich, indigenous culture and language specialist, as well as a showing of the documentary, “We are Still Here.”

Leaders will provide culturally appropriate professional development for indigenous and non-indigenous educators to better support their work with all students, especially indigenous students.

“We have traditional knowledge keepers here in the area; we have teachers that are aware of our practices,” said Plain. “It’s going to be very streamlined and directed at the educators; how they can move forward in a good way.”

For more information on the symposium, contact Marina Plain at 519-328-0942.