Summary
By Paula E. Kirman
Windspeaker.com Contributor
Elders from Treaty 6 will have the opportunity to have a say on how to educate teachers in the province about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis issues.
The Alberta Teachers Association, in partnership with Edmonton Catholic Schools, has put out an open call for Elders to attend an Elders' Advisory Meeting on Oct. 24.
“They will be meeting with Alberta Teachers’ Association Walking Together Education for Reconciliation team members, who are Indigenous educators currently working with the ATA. The ATA Walking Together project was created as part of a joint commitment to action in response to the TRC’s Call to Action number 63,” explained Shannon Loutitt, Walking Together Program Consultant.
The meeting will be a full day, including discussions, the sharing of ideas, and conversations.
“We are hoping they will provide us with guidance, insights and ideas for us to create professional development resources for the purpose of educating Alberta teachers on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Foundational Knowledge as outlined in the draft Teaching Quality Standard. (“A teacher develops and applies foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit for the benefit of all students”,” Loutitt said.
Loutitt hopes that the Walking Together team will “receive valuable input from Elders as to the content of workshops and resources for Alberta teachers. Elders’ voices are heard and shared with all Alberta teachers. Elders’ insights and ideas will guide us and help ensure authenticity within our resource development.”