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Lori Huston (she/her)
Goal #2
To engage and commit to Truth and Reconciliation in ECE.
Elder Brenda Mason, “We as Indigenous people are responsible for responding to the TRC calls to action but invite non-indigenous people to ‘the part of the ‘work.’ We are on the healing journey, yes, but we need the other races to join us in healing to leave a path of respect, love, wisdom, bravery, honesty, humility, and the truth for ALL CHILDREN" (AECEO Guiding Committee on Truth and Reconciliation, 2020).
Today in the spirit of reconciliation, we are starting to bring in the Indigenous teachings and the truth of Canada’s history. Anishinaabe's way of knowing “epistemology” is not well represented in our mainstream education. In the spirit of decolonization by reflecting on where we live and teach. I believe teaching Indigenous culture across subjects in our classrooms needs to begin with local history and Indigenous communities to support their experiences as a respectful starting point.
All three of the artifacts are grounded in Indigenous models that reflect interconnected relationships to place. The literature review attached speaks to how we all can support and uplift Indigenous children and families in early learning, grounded in practices and research of Indigenous scholars, educators and families. The second artifact connected to an Indigenous sharing circle at the UBC SPARK conference started as a course assignment/reflection to my experiences alongside Elder Brenda and Indigenous ECE Roxanne Loon our story of the Indigenous ECE Leadership in-service professional development program. The SPARK sharing circle was conducted using the Wildfire research method.
The third artifact was a fascinating opportunity, as I developed a training session for Indigenous Educators and non-Indigenous educators in literacy development that supports Indigenous children. Teaching and learning based on the Indigenous medicine wheel understandings can enhance young children’s language and literacy learning in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
LITERATURE REVIEW
ECED 585 61 Advanced Seminar on Research In ECE.
Building the Future in Present Times: Considerations for Supporting and Uplifting Indigenous Children and Families in Early Learning
ECE Graduation: Image Source Lori Huston, 2018 used with permission
CONFERENCE PUBLICATION
ECED 585 Advanced Seminar on Research in Early Childhood Education.
Culturally Responsive Indigeneity of Relations
Spark Poster photo: Image source Lori Huston, 2019
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
LLED 556 Theory and Research in Early Literacy.
Building Bridges: Literacy Development for Indigenous Children in the Early Years.
Reading circle: Image Source Lori Huston, 2016 used with permission.
Webinar Series: Reconciliation and Indigenous Pedagogies in Early Learning and Child Care
Elder Brenda Mason and I share Indigenous knowledge and stories from our perspectives, teachings, and lived experiences over a three-part webinar series. CMAS- Supporting The Settlement of Young Immigrant and Refugee Children hosted the webinar series for an opportunity for Early Childhood Educators across Canada supporting newcomer families to learn about what it means to honour the history, knowledge and ways of being of Indigenous people in Canada. For each webinar, close to 300 educators were participating, and with a public link, we were able to share with many more networks of ECEs across Canada!
The webinar series has been something I have wanted to implement within the early year's sector, definitely apart of my new moon journaling, reflecting on how to share Indigenous knowledges in the spirit of reconciliation.
I feel very strongly about sharing Indigenous Knowledges that have been passed on to me with both Indigenous ECEs and non-Indigenous ECEs to support bridging the gap in the ways of knowing. Indigenous education is abundant, with many offerings connected to being in a relationship with all.
References:
AECEO Guiding Committee on Truth and Reconciliation. (2020). Walking Together In Reconciliation. Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO), eceLINK, 6-7.
Czyzewski, K., & University of Toronto. (2011). The truth and reconciliation commission of Canada: Insights into the goal of transformative education. International Indigenous Policy Journal, 2(3), 4. doi:10.18584/iipj.20101.2.3.4
2021 by Lori Huston, created with Wix.com
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