Indigenous Awareness in the Early Years

The First Peoples Principles of Learning say that “Learning requires exploration of one’s identity”. This workshop will take us on a journey through pre-contact, contact and today’s realities for Indigenous people across Turtle Island (the continent of North America). This journey will allow participants to understand ways of life before contact, the challenges brought on by colonisation with discussion on the Indian Act, residential schools, the 60’s/millennial scoop and ways to bring Indigenous People’s resilience into our lives in an authentic way. We will discuss the impact colonisation has had on the way we educate our children, ways to challenge the colonial structure that has been placed on education and explore ways to decolonize our practices, our classroom and ourselves. We will take on the social responsibility of educating ourselves of the history, and today’s realities. This journey will be facilitated with respect and vulnerability.

Living Inquiries:  

• Well-being and belonging.
• Identities, social responsibility and diversity.

Pathways: 

• Culture and worldviews.
• Indigenous voices and perspectives.
• Safety and respect.
• Every child is a gift.
• Family origins, cultural background, place of origin, allegiance and affiliation, citizenship, and other identities.
• Social responsibility and justice.
• Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Suitable for adult instructors/ECE Administrators, parents/guardians, intermediate and experienced early care and learning professionals working with children of all ages from infants/toddlers to school age children, including children with extra support needs.

Facilitator(s): Jade Brass

Anin nitisinihkas Jade Brass nitonci The Key iskinokanir Treaty four. Coast Salish Territory known as Vancouver ndidaa. Jade graduated with honours from Native Education College receiving a diploma for Aboriginal Early Childhood Education (AECE) and is continuing studies at UBC to obtain a bachelor of Indigenous education through the NITEP program. Jade works at Uy’sqwalaun HeadStart and loves how the centre involves community with learning. As an Indigenous ihkwe Jade’s goal is to continue to be a positive role model in our community and do this work for our children and our unborn babies.

Register here: Indigenous Awareness in the Early Years (4810-8100) :: Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre