Education News | Page 11
Writing in the sand
One afternoon in late September you are swinging at the park in Kitsilano . You are two and a half Energetic and full of enthusiasm for life . I am pushing you on the swing when I notice there is writing in the sand . ‘ What does it say ?’ you ask me . I read the words Every child matters . ‘ Yeah !’ you call out in agreement as you swing higher . I have hope for future generations , for justice , kindness , love . We are living in times of change . A few days later , in October , I am walking in oskana kâ-asastêki In the evening two orange teepees light up the campus in front of the university , honouring Indigenous children . Light brings hope Every child matters
About the author :
Dr . Heather Phipps is an Associate Professor / Professeure agrégée — Minority Language Education in the Faculty of Education . She wrote this poem in the context of Professor Solomon Ratt ’ s Creative Writing in Cree ( Cree 405 ) class at First Nations University of Canada in Fall 2021 . Heather is grateful to Solomon Ratt for teaching the Cree language and to her colleages in Creative Writing for their kind encouragement . kinanâskomitin
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Photo © Heather Phipps , First Nations University of Canada , 2021