Today we attended a workshop at the Musqueam Cultural Education Centre to listen to Shane Point and Celia Point whom are both respected Elders for the Musqueam First Nations. This journal reflection is focused on Shane Point’s presentation.
In the morning, we gathered in the beautiful cultural centre and sat and listened to Shane Point’s life journey. A brilliant speaker, Shane captivated our attention discussing very sensitive and difficult topics such as sexual abuse, oppression, and racism. One of the significant learning points that was initially suggested by Shane was the Aboriginal words that meant “To Lift Up”, which he explained was to embrace his Aboriginal culture, history, and to incorporate in all the benefits of education. Shane explained that from the horrible experiences of the residential schools, First Nation’s people resisted education because of the negative correlation of education and residential schools. As a person who has been involved in education for over 25 years, Point’s mission was to support and promote education for all. As a teacher in training, I see the importance of enabling and supporting all students. I recognize and see connections with the program goals, such as Goal 3 that stresses the importance of creating a space that promotes a democratic and pluralistic community. As teachers we must be aware of how we are interacting with all students and work with an awareness of the plethora of backgrounds they arrive to us from. I believe that my journey as a new educator will likely include many moments of reflection and growth on this very topic. It is one thing to identify this need but another to put it into practice. I also believe that this will remain a point of reflection for me in my teaching for all the years of my experience.
A second learning point that was highlighted in Shane Point’s presentation was that first and foremost everyone is a human being. It does not matter what your ethnicity is, but rather we should be identified as a Human Being first. Shane described that this was a higher learner philosophy and that this promoted healing amongst Aboriginals. As a human being, we have a direct connection to the Earth; one heart and one mind. As a future educator, Shane suggested that we need to be honest and tell the story from a human being perspective. Although, we all come from different backgrounds, it is important to educate as a human being with great integrity and honesty. This is a significant shift in education that has moved away from the Eurocentric education model and switched to a human being perspective to share and promote every person’s past. I have reconsidered some of my previous biases about First Nations and now have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the pedagogy for including their history and tradition in our schools. I had never deeply thought about its importance or even really its purpose before, but after listening to Shane, I can now connect with how important those lessons are for the learners.
It was impactful for me to listen to Shane explain that four of his teachers were influential in his overcoming the demons of alcohol, drugs and sexual abuse simply because they believed in him. Their belief that he was intelligent even though he was struggling in school and the fact that they took the time to see him beyond his grades had a profound effect on this remarkable man’s life. This is something I will take with me to remember. As a student who struggled in elementary school with learning difficulties, I share similar experiences and still recall the teachers who supported, engaged, and believed in me. As teacher, I will strive to connect and engage all students’ ability to think and learn through their minds, bodies, and hearts.
Throughout Shane’s presentation, I was very impressed with the way he engaged and captivated the listeners. During his presentation, Shane strategically varied his speed. He would slow down his speech for effect, especially when he was stating an important point. This is a valuable tool to remember when I am in the classroom, since it helps keep the audience captive and involved. Shane came across as very sincere, using his warm smile and genuine laughter to connect with his audience. Shane’s ability to make connections with human beings, he is a role model for all.
In the morning, we gathered in the beautiful cultural centre and sat and listened to Shane Point’s life journey. A brilliant speaker, Shane captivated our attention discussing very sensitive and difficult topics such as sexual abuse, oppression, and racism. One of the significant learning points that was initially suggested by Shane was the Aboriginal words that meant “To Lift Up”, which he explained was to embrace his Aboriginal culture, history, and to incorporate in all the benefits of education. Shane explained that from the horrible experiences of the residential schools, First Nation’s people resisted education because of the negative correlation of education and residential schools. As a person who has been involved in education for over 25 years, Point’s mission was to support and promote education for all. As a teacher in training, I see the importance of enabling and supporting all students. I recognize and see connections with the program goals, such as Goal 3 that stresses the importance of creating a space that promotes a democratic and pluralistic community. As teachers we must be aware of how we are interacting with all students and work with an awareness of the plethora of backgrounds they arrive to us from. I believe that my journey as a new educator will likely include many moments of reflection and growth on this very topic. It is one thing to identify this need but another to put it into practice. I also believe that this will remain a point of reflection for me in my teaching for all the years of my experience.
A second learning point that was highlighted in Shane Point’s presentation was that first and foremost everyone is a human being. It does not matter what your ethnicity is, but rather we should be identified as a Human Being first. Shane described that this was a higher learner philosophy and that this promoted healing amongst Aboriginals. As a human being, we have a direct connection to the Earth; one heart and one mind. As a future educator, Shane suggested that we need to be honest and tell the story from a human being perspective. Although, we all come from different backgrounds, it is important to educate as a human being with great integrity and honesty. This is a significant shift in education that has moved away from the Eurocentric education model and switched to a human being perspective to share and promote every person’s past. I have reconsidered some of my previous biases about First Nations and now have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the pedagogy for including their history and tradition in our schools. I had never deeply thought about its importance or even really its purpose before, but after listening to Shane, I can now connect with how important those lessons are for the learners.
It was impactful for me to listen to Shane explain that four of his teachers were influential in his overcoming the demons of alcohol, drugs and sexual abuse simply because they believed in him. Their belief that he was intelligent even though he was struggling in school and the fact that they took the time to see him beyond his grades had a profound effect on this remarkable man’s life. This is something I will take with me to remember. As a student who struggled in elementary school with learning difficulties, I share similar experiences and still recall the teachers who supported, engaged, and believed in me. As teacher, I will strive to connect and engage all students’ ability to think and learn through their minds, bodies, and hearts.
Throughout Shane’s presentation, I was very impressed with the way he engaged and captivated the listeners. During his presentation, Shane strategically varied his speed. He would slow down his speech for effect, especially when he was stating an important point. This is a valuable tool to remember when I am in the classroom, since it helps keep the audience captive and involved. Shane came across as very sincere, using his warm smile and genuine laughter to connect with his audience. Shane’s ability to make connections with human beings, he is a role model for all.
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