Truth and Reconciliation comes into greater focus each September, with Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 22 – 26) and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30). Canadians are encouraged to engage with Indigenous voices and stories and take action towards reconciliation in our own lives and communities.
While these observances offer an important time for learning, reconciliation is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and commitment. Here are a few College resources highlighting Indigenous knowledge, to support you in your practice and in your ongoing reconciliation:
- The Code and Standards requires that RECEs make the well-being, learning and care of children their foremost responsibility. RECEs respect and nurture children’s first language and/or traditional language and culture. They demonstrate a commitment to address the unique rights and needs of Indigenous children and their families. They respect each child’s uniqueness, dignity and potential.
- Children live and grow among families with a range of complex histories and within differing social, cultural and linguistic perspectives. To support the uniqueness of all children, learn more about the rights of children and ways of viewing and supporting every child in Section 1 of the College’s Practice Guideline: Child Development.
- RECEs are encouraged to engage in respectful, ongoing relationships with Indigenous families and communities to learn and collaborate with them to include their Indigenous ways of knowing and being in early learning environments. Children’s sense of belonging is promoted by having strong relationships with RECEs, their peers, and the spaces they share. If children know their interests and ideas are valid, and that they themselves are important, their well-being, learning and development are enhanced. The Practice Guideline: Diversity and Culture provides insight.
- By engaging in self-reflection, you’re working on gaining a deeper awareness and understanding of your own experiences that may have contributed to your beliefs about children, families, cultures, languages and communities. Historical, social and political contexts influence our beliefs and how we respond to others. RECEs’ beliefs shape the learning environment and, in turn, children’s experiences. Read more about how those beliefs can impact your practice in the Practice Note: Beliefs and Biases, and the accompanying Reflection Guide.
Additional Resources
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Every Child Matters
- Preserving a Way of Life
- Truth and Reconciliation: Join us in an exploration of allyship
- A conversation with Two-Spirit leader and social justice advocate Teddy Syrette: Fostering inclusion through education and allyship
- Practice Guideline: Child Development – Section 1: Children’s rights and the image of the child
- Practice Guideline: Child Development
- Reflection Guide for Practice Note on Beliefs and Biases
- Practice Note: Beliefs and Biases
- Practice Guideline: Diversity and Culture
- Practice Guideline: Pedagogical Practice
- Practice Note: Professional Relationships
- Pause and Reflect: Professional Love