Thursday, July 14, 2011
TJ & Indigenous People of Canada
My new conversation partner is TJ Skalski in Canada. I found her by watching her podcast on World Forum Radio http://www.worldforumfoundation.org/wf/radio.php. She is the principal of the only charter school for indigenous people of Canada. Her school is called Mother's Earth Children's Charter School http://www.meccs.org/site/. TJ's grandmother told her a long time ago she was a teacher, even though she entered a different career. This stuck with her, and she eventually went back to school to become a teacher. She noticed, however, the indigenous children were hurting. The children come to school damaged, wounded, scarred, hungry, depressed and feeling unworthy. That's why she started the charter school, which is based on a culturally-responsive curriculum. The school curriculum is grounded in the Medicine Wheel, and the mission is to preserve and sustain the way of life where children's gifts are nurtured. TJ was excited that I contacted her. She explained that while her superintendent is supportive, many are stuck in "western ways" and do not understand the need to teach a different way. More than half of the indigenous children are poor and unemployment is about 25% of the reservation and 30% on the reservations.. TJ said they need their culture and language to survive and thrive. I love TJ's passion, and her school mission. Viewing life in a linear disconnected manner is hurting all of us, but especially indigenous people.
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Joy,
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you were able to create a connection with TJ. I hope she is able to reach her administration and teach them that not all children learn the same way and that "western ways" may not be best for their children. As long as the children are thriving, happy, safe and secure and learning in their schools that is all that matters.
Amy
Joy,
ReplyDeleteI agree that children need to learn to take pride in their culture and where they are from. It is detrimental to their development and knowledge for who they are as a person. It is important for teachers to know and understand how each child learns to have a better impact on what children get out of their education.
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ReplyDeleteTJ sound like a wonderful teacher. Know that her grandmother was right took her some time to realize but I glad she is doing what she needs to be doing.
ReplyDeleteJoy,
ReplyDeleteKeeping children rooted and grounded in their culture helps keep the culture alive. So many times parents want their children immersed in the percieved majority's culture and language and the consequence is their culture is lost to them.
Joy, I agree with TJ that children need to learn a different way and keep their culture and language growing so that they can pass their language and culture on to their children and other children from different cultures. Joy I really look forward to reading about TJ again and I am so glade that she is fighting and pushing for the rights for children to learn in a bias-free atmosphere.
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