ADVANCING RECONCILIATIONResource for School Councils
The Alberta School Councils’ Association is very proud to partner with many organizations to bring about awareness of the positive relationships being developed and actions being taken for reconciliation.
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) put forward 94 recommended “Calls to Action” that have been accepted by all levels of government across Canada.
Several of these are directly related to education, and as such are being diligently addressed by Alberta Education, and every school district in Alberta.
Through Alberta’s Joint Commitment to Action, our province is leading the way in taking and being part of a movement in shifting cultural understanding and attitudes.
To encourage the path forward, Alberta School Councils’ Association is developing resources for school councils to utilize in advancing reconciliation in their school communities.
Gaining knowledge of First Nations, Métis and Inuit beliefs, traditions and practices results in an increased awareness and understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit histories and perspectives and supports the process of reconciliation.
This resource is intended to build foundational knowledge with understandings of concepts, terms and information that can support a shift in thinking and attitudes to advance reconciliation.
Key areas for awareness and understanding First Nations, Métis and Inuit include:
Terminology, the cultural diversity of Canada’s constitutionally recognized Aboriginal peoples (linguistic, geographic, political)
Perspectives, experiences and histories
Treaties, territories and treaty relationships
Forced assimilation and the legacy of residential schools
Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations for education
Alberta School Councils’ Association (ASCA) Advancing Reconciliation
ASCA has incorporated “three simple steps” into our everyday practices – including territory acknowledgment in email messages, meetings, events, and at every workshop delivered – including virtual.
In April 2017, the Alberta School Councils Conference presented a Blanket Exercise for over 200 participants, and offered information sessions relevant to the TRC and education for reconciliation.
Regular participation in provincial committees, ASCA embraces learning and sharing First Nations, Métis and Inuit information. The ASCA website has an area dedicated to Indigenous awareness and resources, promoted with social media, and featured in our eNews distribution. ASCA Board of Directors and staff have participated in Indigenous Awareness Training and are committed to advancing reconciliation.
The resources included were developed by Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia (ARPDC) as a result of grants from Alberta Education to support implementation of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education for Reconciliation in Alberta.
Explanation of Terms(Stepping Stones is a publication of the Alberta Teachers’ Association Walking Together Project)
