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.