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Closing Gaps and Restoring Trust
The Indigenous' Journey Through Education in Canada

"Education is what got us here, and education is what will get us out"- Murray Sinclair on the topic of Education as a key to reconciliation.

Murray Sinclair was appointed Canada's second-ever Aboriginal Judge. Although appointed in Manitoba, Sinclair fought for the reconciliation in the relationship between the Canadian Government and Indigenous Canadians. During his work with the Senate, Sinclair worked as Chairman of the Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He worked to advocate for the Indigenous People's traumatic experiences in these schools as well as for the reconciliation of the Indigenous People and the Canadian Government's relationship moving forward. He often fought for a change in education, as he believed this is where reconciliation could happen best. Through the learning and unlearning of histories and biases of Indigenous Peoples.

So Why This Blog?
The work that Sinclair has done and what he advocates for is what has driven the passion behind the purpose of this blog. As an educator, I believe I have a responsibility to use my platform to educate my non-Indigenous students while providing inclusive education where all students feel represented, heard and identified throughout the curriculum. Throughout this blog, you will have the opportunity to learn the history of education in relation to Indigenous peoples through the past and into the present. You will also acquire various resources that could help educate you and your students on how we can provide a more inclusive educational experience for our Indigenous friends. This blog is aimed at helping inform Intermediate students and is focused on the theory of Intergenerational Trauma to help connect our country's past and present relationship to Indigenous peoples surrounding education.

The following video shares some thoughts that Murray Sinclair has on Residential Schools and the Truth and Importance of Reconciliation. The topics in these videos can be found throughout the different pages in this blog.

Intergenerational Trauma
The trauma that one experiences can be passed from one generation to another. It is said that this occurs through post-traumatic stress. Using this as a theory, my blog focuses on the ways in which Indigenous people have experienced trauma first-hand or second-hand through previous generations. The trauma I am focusing on sharing is based on the Residential Schooling System. We will use this theory to better understand the relationship that today's Indigenous students have with education, and the importance of creating Inclusive Education to overcome this, in the reconciliation process.