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I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are on the traditional
lands, referred to as Treaty 4 Territory and that the city of
(Regina/Moose Jaw/Swift Current/Maple Creek/Yorkton/Melville) is
located on Treaty 4 territory, the original lands of the Cree,
Ojibwe(OJIB-WĒ), Saulteaux (SO-TO), Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, and on
the homeland of the Métis Nation.
We respect and honour the Treaties that were made on all territories,
we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we are
committed to move forward in partnership with Indigenous Nations in
the spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

Treaty 4 Territory (Regina, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Maple Creek, Yorkton, Melville). (n.d.). https://saskschoolboards.ca/wp-content/uploads/Treaty-4-Territory.pdf

As I grew up, the knowledge of residential schools and the dark history of our country was still scarce in the classroom. We learned many small surface level indigenous cultural practices and games, but never the weight of the darkness of what happened in the past, nor the hardships still faced. It makes me think of the cultural iceberg I learned in my education course. The colonial way of learning and teaching tends to focus only on the superficial aspects of culture and not the deeper meaning and values, such as concept of justice, manners, or spirituality.  It is of my belief that these atrocities, as well as deeper aspects of one’s culture should be taught younger. The younger students learn about these issues, the sooner they can piece the history together and develop critical thinking skills in order to insight positive change at a young age. They also develop a clear awareness of other ways of knowing and being.  

In grades 10-12 was when I really began to reflect upon how the past not only affects those who were directly involved, but it affects the future generations. fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, entire families today are still living with the effects of atrocities committed by white settlers in the past. It makes me reflect on the privilege I have grown up with and carry with me today and how I might never understand the full perspective of the systematically oppressed today. These thoughts derived from the teachings in school and have made me want to learn more and understand these indigenous perspectives as much as I can. As my knowledge continues to grow on these subjects, I continue my reflections and my desire to spread awareness and create empathy in others for what these people went through, and what they are still going through today. With this issue, education is the biggest factor in moving forward and growing together in this country. We need to push for further education in schools on the subject of residential schools as well as indigenous culture. I feel as though that is where our schools have failed us. We are always being taught about residential schools and all the negative things that have happened to indigenous people in Canada, but I think that more focus should be shifted to indigenous ways of being and knowing in a more positive light as well. Education on the cultural practices and traditions is vital in understanding the indigenous perspective, and always seems to be undermined in schools. I also think the media plays a role in this as well. Rather than reporting on all the bad things happening, I think they should also be pushing for indigenous representation and education on their ways of being in general.