“doing nothing out of fear is far worse than making mistakes and growing along the way’ (Oberkisch, 2023)
“doing nothing out of fear is far worse than making mistakes and growing along the way”
(Oberkirsch, 2023)
‘Treaties’ and ‘education,’ put together are terms like ‘treaty education’.’ Treaty education is a fairly new term for the education system, schools, teachers and students. Treaty ed may be a new term, but it has a long and lengthy past that needs to be taught and understood by all Saskatchewan and frankly Canadian students.
Amidst treaty education’s curriculum it requires just as much time as other subject areas, but more often than not doesn’t. As mentioned in this intern’s email, people have not opened up and made themselves realize that treaty education is essential to any classroom, at any grade level. In the eyes of a teacher teaching treaty education if you are not uncomfortable, you are not doing your job properly as a teacher.
Treaty education is needed. It is not a subject that you can avoid because you’re scared or to be frank racist. Treaty ed is not a subject that can be denied its importance because “there are no students at this school who are First Nations” (intern). In all honesty the people who don’t identify as a First Nations and Metis individuals are the people who need to learn more about the treaties, policies and the haunting past of that race. As our ancestors were the people who were racist and dedicated to placing genocide on this race.
‘We are all treaty people’ is a statement teachers need to understand and implement in their lesson plans, proposals and speeches. Amidst that ‘we are all treaty people’ also is a mentality all teachers should utilize in any subject area they teach, math included. If we took the time to understand all the amazing ideas and stories First Nations and Metis possess on life. We would all be so calm, at peace and full of clarity which will not only make us better teachers for our students. But also, better people, and we all know we could do some self improving. So why not start now? Take the step and believe and understand in the statement ‘we are all treaty people’
As Racquel Oberkisch mentioned “doing nothing out of fear is far worse than making mistakes and growing along the way” (Oberkirsch, 2023). This statement made by Racquel has provided me with more clarity on treaty education, more than past knowledge gained on the topic. Why? You may ask? Because it makes me realize that as teachers we NEED to be UNCOMFORTABLE and go outside of our COMFORT ZONE. In order to provide the best learning and knowledge to students we can. Taking those steps to be uncomfortable and a tad bit scared makes us gain more knowledge than ever possible. Those mini steps and actions we take to better understand the First Nations and Metis outtake and mindset on life, will make us feel like we are part of a family! A tight knit family built on such strong and powerful people who have used the horrible past they have experienced to spread their knowledge, because they know it’s a gift to the world.
Now that you have reached the end of this blog post, grab a sticky note and write this statement down: “doing nothing out of fear is far worse than making mistakes and growing along the way” (Overkisch, 2023).
Reference and credit to:
Credit to Guest Speaker Racquel Oberkisch Curriculum Consultant for Treaty Education and Indigenous Education with South East Cornerstone Public School Division for the knowledge and learnings gained during her lecture. As well as direct quotes, ideas and resources mentioned as well.
Resources for Teachers who will take the fear, make mistakes but keep learning and going:
- What Works? Research Into Practice https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E2d3GDbdcITmZhDrWFgTTGSlmRKtVlH_/view
- Good Minds Websites has tons of books on First Nations and Metis Knowledge https://goodminds.com/collections/children-fiction/products/9781772600377
3. Indigenous Perspectives Education Guide and Worksheets http://education.historicacanada.ca/en/tools/493