PSD - Braiding Indigenous Ways of Knowing

I hope you enjoy part two of us discussing our braid and our thoughts. In this episode, we talk about relationships and kinship. Enjoy!

Welcome back to our podcast! In today’s episode, Leanne and I dive into some of the core principles that shape our approach to Indigenous education. We’ll talk about Indigenous Ways of Knowing—what it means to us, how it guides our work, and how we braid these principles together, each strand representing different aspects of our approach. We’ll also unpack what we mean by "the colonial way," discussing its impacts and legacies. Our team usually meets twice a month to explore these topics in-depth, revisiting our approach to ensure we're staying true to our mission. Sometimes, we challenge ourselves by exploring ideas we may not even agree with, just to see where those perspectives lead. In this episode, for example, I even consider what it might mean if colonialism were seen as a “good idea,” giving us space to examine assumptions and spark meaningful reflection. We hope this conversation inspires you to reflect as well. Enjoy the discussion!

Welcome to today’s podcast! We’re excited to sit down with Crystal Wood, a valued member of our Kinship Committee and someone with deep insight into Indigenous perspectives on the land and land acknowledgements. Crystal is currently pursuing her PhD in Indigenous Peoples Education at the University of Alberta, and she joins us to share her knowledge and experience on how Indigenous people view the land. We’ll dive into the significance of land acknowledgements and how they help foster a deeper connection and respect for Indigenous lands and cultures.

Mature Content Welcome to today’s episode, where we sit down with the incredible Kokum Violet Poitras to hear her powerful story. In this conversation, Violet shares what life was like living on the reserve from the 1950s through the 1970s, offering a rare glimpse into her experiences with Indian agents and the realities of her community during those decades. Please note that this episode contains mature and distressing content, including discussions of mistreatment and assaults that occurred when Violet was young. While these stories are difficult to hear, they are essential in understanding the resilience and strength of Indigenous people.  If you do not feel comfortable listening to this episode, I would suggest waiting until next week when we sit down with Crystal Wood to have a discussion about Treaty Acknowledgments. 

Welcome to today's podcast, where I had the privilege of sitting down with Elder Philip. In this episode, Elder Philip shares his wisdom on the importance of encouraging all students to participate in ceremonies to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous traditions and teachings. We also dive into the purpose of tobacco as a protocol, its significance, the red road, and Elder Philip offers valuable advice to both people and teachers on how to live life. Please bear with us through some hard cuts during the conversation, as we recorded this episode while construction was happening in a nearby room, causing a few audio interruptions. I hope you enjoy this insightful discussion.

Welcome to the third episode of our podcast. In today’s episode, we have the honour of speaking with Geri Wu, who shares her powerful story about her life during the 60s Scoop, intergenerational trauma,  and the resilience she has developed. Geri’s personal account offers deep insight into the challenges faced by someone who was part of the sixties scoop. We'll also explore ways to support students in your classroom who may need additional attention, and how providing extra care can make a profound difference in their lives. We hope you enjoy our conversation which will give you more insight into the history and lives of First Nation people and hopefully help you create a more inclusive and supportive environment in the school.

Welcome to the second episode of our podcast series. Today, we have the honour of speaking with Elder Maryann Stepien, who has graciously agreed to share her powerful and personal story with us. Elder Maryann's journey is one of deep resilience and strength, as she reflects on the joys of her early life growing up near Hinton and the unimaginable challenges she faced after being taken away to a residential school. Her story does not shy away from the harsh realities of the treatment she endured, and it covers mature themes that may be difficult to hear. However, it is an essential narrative that offers profound insight into the lives of countless young people who were forced into these institutions. Through Maryann's story, we gain a deeper understanding of the impact of residential schools and the enduring spirit of those who survived them. We invite you to listen with an open heart and mind as we explore this remarkable story of survival and resilience.

In this first episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with two remarkable Parkland School Division employees—Leanne Traverse and Margarette Culley. Both have done amazing work in supporting Indigenous students and today, they’ll share their journeys with us. We’ll hear about where they started in their careers, and how they overcame the anxiety of stepping into this important work. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the conversation, that was recorded on Treaty 6 Terrioty. I hope you enjoy our very first episode and find it as enlightening and inspiring as I do, A starting point  Contact us at [email protected]