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UGDSB staff members take part in FNMI PD event

November 23, 2016

GUELPH, Ontario – On November 23, Upper Grand District School Board staff participated in a First Nations, Métis and Inuit professional development event. Guest speakers included, Bill Morrison, Nancy Rowe, Jodie Williams, Jan Sherman, Tauni Sheldon, Jodi Green and Dr. Sean Lessard.

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Born in Chapleau, Ontario, Bill Morrison is a Senator with the Credit River Métis. Bill provided a comprehensive discussion about the timeline of legislation from the early days to present of the Métis.

Discussing the significance of local relationships, the event introduced Nancy Rowe, a traditional practitioner from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Along with Jodie Williams, Nancy also discussed the importance of revitalizing classrooms with indigenous knowledge.

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Community Elder, Jan Sherman, led an interactive workshop where UGDSB staff were engaged in the creation of a Medicine Wheel using traditional teachings, storytelling and drumming. Following the Medicine Wheel teachings, Jan led the group in a drum circle.

Tauni Sheldon, of Nunavik, currently dedicates her life to working with incarcerated Inuit and Indigenous men in the federal prison system. As part of the day, Tauni discussed what life is like living in the South as an Inuit.

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Elementary Teacher, Jodi Green, discussed the importance of embedding indigenous teachings in the elementary classroom.

The Keynote Speaker of the event was Dr. Sean Lessard. Dr. Lessard is from the Montreal Lake Cree Nation Treaty 6 territory and is an award-winning writer, researcher and professor. Dr. Lessard discussed how working with indigenous people and youth has shaped his sense of self throughout time using traditional and non-traditional educational experiences.

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This FNMI PD event allowed staff members at the UGDSB to learn about various First Nations, Métis and Inuit teachings and stories and will allow for staff to bring these important messages back to their school communities and into their classrooms.

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