Teacher Education Programs gather for Indigenous Knowledge Exchange
Janice R. Thompson welcoming TEP members to Indigenous Knowledge Exchange Breakfast together, an opportunity for conversations and reconnections
Photos: Shuana Niessen
Dr. Sherry Farrell-Racette giving keynote address
For the first time since 2008, Teacher Education Programs’( TEPs) from across Canada joined together at the University of Regina on November 8 and 9, 2017, for an Indigenous Knowledge Exchange.
Faculty, directors, and program heads( SUNTEP, ITEP, NTEP, and YNTEP) gathered in the new Nantāwihowikamik Healing Lodge and Wellness Clinic to hear presentations and engage in discussion.
Hosted by the University of Regina, Faculty of Education, the Indigenous Knowledge Exchange gathering“ provided an opportunity for participants to advance and strengthen relationships between one another, engage in transformative Indigenous education, and collaborate and plan for the future,” says SUNTEP Regina coordinator, Janice R. Thompson. Thompson was involved in organizing and planning along with Associate Dean, Dr. Val Mulholland, Associate Dean’ s Assistant, Wanneta Martin, and Acting Dean of Education, Dr. Andrea Sterzuk, and others who assisted with this event.
The day was hosted by Thompson and began with opening prayers by SUNTEP
Dr. Earl Cook brings greetings as Chairman of the Board of Governors for Gabriel Dumont Institute
Regina’ s Elder Erma Taylor and opening remarks by Acting Dean, Dr. Andrea Sterzuk. Chairman of the Gabriel Dumont Institute( GDI) Board of Governors, Dr. Earl Cook, brought opening greetings on behalf of GDI. Dr. Sherry Farrell-Racette, professor in the Department of Visual Arts, MAP, brought a keynote address.
Over the course of two days, the group explored themes that emerged from discussions such as“ similarities and differences between the TEP programs and establishing a safe space for us to examine our work,” says Thompson. Scheduled theme discussions included TEP’ s philosophy, TRC Calls to Action, Indigenous pedagogy and research( landbased pedagogy), language development and preservation, and successes and challenges.
Thompson says,“ This invaluable two-day experience continued to demonstrate our commitment to Indigenous teacher training in the academy, and we are humbled by this. We look forward to gathering in the near future, and not another 10-year wait!”
Keith Adolph and Associate Dean Val Mulholland
Wanneta Martin registering participants
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