Hundreds of Saskatchewan teachers welcomed into Indigenous communities

Over 320 teachers from the Northeast School Division visited neighboring Indigenous communities Friday, to learn about how they can take reconciliation into the classroom.

Over 320 teachers and staff members from the Northeast School Division visited neighboring Indigenous communities Friday to learn about how they can take reconciliation into the classroom.

Sharon Meyer, one of the organizers of the event works as the First Nation and Metis consultant in the Northeast School Division. She wanted to give teachers the chance to become students on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“I thought what better way to create relationships and experiences,” Meyer said. “Many teachers have never been in a first nations school or on a first nations location. This is an opportunity to share in the presence of our first nation teachers, knowledge keepers, and elders in their home territory.

In total, four different Indigenous communities were visited by the staff. 84 of them made their way to Muskoday First Nation, while others travelled to Cumberland House Metis Nation, Kenaston, and One Arrow.

At Muskoday First Nations School, teachers began the morning with an assembly talking about the importance of the day and sharing their stories.

“This is something that has been a long time coming,” said Elwin Bear, a Kindergarten to Grade 12 and post-secondary education coordinator for Muskoday First Nation.

“And to have (these school divisions) come in, it shows they are willing to listen and learn what actions need to be taken in their school division in order to help not just Indigenous children but all children that we share this earth.”

Teachers were also given the opportunity to go through workshops with elders, drummers and ribbon skirt makers.