Integrating Culture
Feb 11, 2020—West Kelowna, BC: Unsure how to integrate cultural approaches into your program or classroom? You are not alone.
Dr. Margo Greenwood once posed the tough question: “Are we creating modified versions of residential schools in our own communities?” In other words: Are we feeding into colonization or are we promoting revitalization? How do we ensure that our programs and learning spaces demonstrate that Indigenous people have rich, vibrant, ancient knowledge systems?
Culture is not in a ticky box. It’s not just an item on our to-do list that we tick off by inviting in a drummer or basket maker. Rather, as Dr. Bill Cohen says, “Let’s use our mind-power to relearn from the wisdom of our ancestors and together figure out ways to re-ritualize into daily practice.”
Would you like your learning spaces to be more culturally inclusive?
Would you like to increase connection in your classroom and community programs?
Revitalizing indigenous culture and bringing First Peoples’ principles of learning into schools requires going under the iceberg to the values and practices that sustained us for thousands of years.
Session 5 of Champions of Change will draw from the Four Food Chiefs story to support dialogue about ways to foster more respect and inclusivity in our programs, change patterns of bullying and lateral violence, and deepen our connections with one another across diversity.
The story of the Four Food Chiefs tells us that all voices are needed to make good decisions. Our ecosystems thrive on diversity, we wouldn’t evolve and survive without diversity.
On Friday, February 21st we will draw on creative empowerment methodologies to foster a community of learners who lift one another up. We will learn how to:
- Create a learning environment that infuses Indigenous knowledge and pedagogy into your own community programs and classroom
- Foster collaboration through a greater understanding of cross-cultural and intersectional power dynamics
- Create more harmony, respect, and connection in our programs and classrooms
- Create culturally safer learning spaces so participants emerge into their full potential
- Facilitate courageous conversations to challenge myths that perpetuate inequity and racism
Reclaiming creativity and imagination is key to healing the patterning of our brains towards disconnection and dissolving the barriers we put up around our hearts for self-protection. The creative processes we use in Champions of Change are medicine for our whole selves and for our relationships. They are foundational to deep listening, empathy, emotional literacy, self-awareness, and compassionate communication.
Because we use a coach approach, we focus on the needs and priorities that arise from the specific group assembled for each workshop – so the topics covered in the sessions are both responsive and fluid. You can jump in at any point in the series and still benefit deeply – whether you take one or all of the workshops.
Facilitated by our Program Director Kelly Terbasket
IndigenEYEZ Program Director Kelly Terbasket has a contagious laugh, a talent for connecting people, and a passion for the power of community. With more than 20 years managing community projects, Kelly is known in First Nations throughout BC for her inspiring workshops on everything from team building to strategic planning to effective leadership. As a person of mixed heritage, Kelly has been bridging distinct worlds all her life, learning to weave together the strengths of her Syilx and European ancestry.
With additional facilitation support from:
Kim Haxton, Deb Crow, Allan Thomas Lindley, and Bill Cohen
WORKSHOP DATE:
Friday, February 21st
9:00 am – 4:30 pm
COST: $150
Lunch will be provided for each session
with gluten-free and vegetarian options.
LOCATION:
Westbank First Nation Health and Wellness Building: The Siya Room
1900 Quail Lane, West Kelowna
Follow Up Workshop Dates:
March 16th, March 17th, April 17th,
with two sessions of land-based learning in May (dates TBD)
QUESTIONS?
contact Anni Phillips at inspire@IndigenEYEZ.com or 250-328-9634