June 28, 2024 – Skipped a Week of Blogging

Well, I broke my weekly blogging habit. I shall start again this week to get back to regular weekly blogs. Time cannot be wasted and my time shifted from one thing to another such that I missed blogging last weekend. I never got back to it until now. What I have learned is SEIZE THE DAY and FORGIVENESS. It’s ok to miss a day. There is no “real” consequence except for me not meeting my expectations. In the big picture, I did what was best for me. Last week, it did not blog and I’m ok.

This week we had our School of Education program retreat at the Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park on “People, Place, and Land: Healing Our Relationships.” We had three teacher candidates, faculty members, and members from the community as part of the day. I was “co-hosting” with my colleague and primary organizer of the event. I thought it went beautifully. We were surrounded by 100’s of elementary students from the school district who were enjoying the park, we had three guest speakers, and the weather was just gorgeous. It was not too hot and not too cold.

I learned a tonne from that day. From the first speaker, I learned about Cree language, strategies to teach language, and the importance of land, stories, and images to helps little learners to acquire language. I thought about the Core Competencies, as did the teacher candidate beside me. Lots of lessons that could be created and imagined. From the second speaker, that might be another blog post. I was just blown away by the idea of science as evidence of how we are connected to the land and with everything. I was so astounded and enamoured by the presentation. The time went fast. From the third speakers, the feeling was slow and mindful. I was provoked by the notions of evidence of identity and rights.

The day ended with the UHNBC drummers and I was so grateful for the flow of the day. It was a different experience from last year and we were invited by the third speakers to have our 2025 retreat at their home to experience food, land, and local protocols. How exciting. “Wahkohtowin: A Cree Way of Living.” The third speakers shared this word with us last year during our first retreat. They shared it with us again this year while sharing map indicating Cree settlements. I cannot wait for next year and what will be learned. The day ended with celebrating an outgoing research assistant from one of the research teams I belong to.

I regret not having posted last week, but I will share a couple of photos where I was star struck from being encouraged to look at the new exhibit at Exploration Place and the Lheidli T’enneh were having a grand opening during National Indigenous Peoples Day at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park. Thank you Jen for waving my friend and I to come inside to say hello. Amazing!! (I love this selfie).