In order to pursue a conversation about reconciliation in my classroom, and to ensure that my voice as a non-Indigenous teacher does not become louder than the survivors, I constantly strive to include Indigenous voices in my classroom. I want my voice to amplify Indigenous voices, not speak over them, or for them. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity through Facing History and Ourselves to have Theodore Fontaine share his experiences with the Canadian Residential School System in my Challenge and Change Grade 12 University class.
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Topics:
Choosing to Participate,
Survivor Testimony,
Truth and Reconciliation,
stolen lives
Stolen Lives: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and the Indian Residential Schools is Facing History Canada’s latest resource. During August 2016, a number of teachers from across Ontario participated in a three-day summer institute in Ottawa to learn how to improve and enhance current teaching practices in relation to studies of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada and using Stolen Lives in their classrooms.
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Topics:
Truth and Reconciliation,
CHG,
CHC,
summer institute
It’s playoff time! Toronto is welcoming the Cleveland Indians for the American League Championship Series, and things are stirring on social media. Why hasn’t Cleveland changed their name? For years, they’ve been using culturally insensitive names; and as Canadians, we can no longer stand by the degradation of Indigenous culture and beliefs.
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Topics:
News,
Canada,
Truth and Reconciliation,
Indigenous History,
Indigenous,
trc
Bringing Indigenous Voices into the Classroom
In December of 2012, I visited the Woodland Cultural Centre and former Mohawk Institute in Brantford, Ontario for the first time. This visit had a lasting impact upon my understanding of the residential school system in Canada. Subsequently I asked myself, how could I further embed Indigenous history into my courses?
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Topics:
Choosing to Participate,
Facing History Resources,
History,
Canada,
Media Skills,
Technology,
Truth and Reconciliation,
current events,
Culturally Responsive and Relevant Pedagogy,
Indigenous,
Lesson Ideas,
In the news,
Social Justice
The truth needs to be told. The truth needs to be taught.
-Anonymous student
This year has brought a lot of change to my classroom - for one, it’s in a new school! I started the year at Central Toronto Academy (CTA) in downtown Toronto. It has been a fantastic experience working with the staff and getting to know a whole new group of students. I was particularly excited to bring Facing History and Ourselves into a new school and see how it was picked up by students unfamiliar with the organization and it's pedagogy.
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Topics:
Choosing to Participate,
Human Rights,
History,
Canada,
EdTech,
Technology,
Truth and Reconciliation,
Indigenous History,
current events,
Indigenous,
In the news,
Social Justice,
reflection
