THE PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE - Brian Leonard
February 16, 2024

Championing Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion…

I’ve spoken recently about the wealth of meetings and events that we are involved in this month, and one of those events was our IDEAS Forum on February 9. Formerly known as Issues Forum, IDEAS has traditionally been a space where our members and special guests could have meaningful dialogue about the topics that are most on their minds, both related to education and in a wider social sense. This year, during Black History Month, our focus was on examining the ways that we can break down barriers, stereotypes, and bias. This is part of the work that the BCPVPA has been doing in exploring and developing our Equity Theory of Change, and in formulating our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan with the addition of a new fifth goal, REDI Champion. This goal is important to our Board of Directors, our members, and our staff, and we are fully committed to the work of leading and championing Truth and Reconciliation, diversity, cultural competency, and equitable opportunities so that we can help to ensure a safe and inclusive educational community for all.

With a roomful of members and friends, we started off IDEAS with the strength of uplifting music. We were fortunate to have two exceptional musical artists with us for the afternoon, Marcus Mosely and Khari Wendell McClelland, accompanied by Janelle Reid and Mary Ancheta. Marcus  and Khari both have roots in the gospel tradition, and their music truly soared. 

Our first presenters were The OTHER People. This extraordinary group of people are individuals who come together for presentations, and who are committed to breaking down the stereotypes that form the foundation of personal and societal bias. Their aim, through telling their own stories, is to introduce their audiences to individuals who have personally experienced discrimination based on their religious, ethnic, or cultural background. Rev. Gary Gaudin, Tariq Tyab, Terry Yung, Jahmira Lovemore, Inderjeet Singh, Orene Askew, and founder Rabbi Philip Bregman were compelling in this presentation, and gave us all much to think about.

The BCPVPA is fortunate to have many friends who share their reflections with us at events, and two of those presenters were with us at IDEAS. Carolyn Roberts is an Indigenous academic and Assistant Professor working in Teacher Education Department of the University of the Fraser Valley and her work is grounded in education about Indigenous people and the decolonization of the education system. Carolyn was with us to share her reflections honouring Indigenous excellence. Carolyn began her presentation by unspooling a long string of beads, and talking about the striking timeline they represent of 500 generations of Indigenous culture here, with the colonial period represented by just a few beads at the end of the string. Carolyn urged that we listen to and remember the Indigenous stories of this place and focus on creating spaces in our schools where students can be fully themselves.

Our final speaker of IDEAS was Beth Applewhite. Beth is the District Principal of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Reconciliation in school district 41, Burnaby, as well as being the President of the BC Black Educational Leaders Association. Beth’s work is related to the creation of equitable experiences for all, and the recognition of racial bias. Beth spoke about Black excellence and honouring all black voices and contributions, not just on one day but every day of the year, and about the importance of representation within education.

It was a rich afternoon of learning and connection, and it was great to see our members who were able to attend.

Bringing people and members together, to share and learn, is one of the purposes of our Chapter Council meetings, which followed the IDEAS Forum on Friday evening and Saturday. We welcomed three young women from Maple Ridge Secondary School’s Circle of Indigenous Youth and Allies to open Friday’s meeting with a moving presentation that honours the Indigenous women who have gone missing, or who have been found murdered, across the country.

A brief summary about Chapter Council will be available soon in a Member Update. However, in the interim, you can reach out to your Chapter President or Representative(s) to share their learning and reflections from the weekend.

Have a great weekend,

Brian

Bleonard@bcpvpa.bc.ca