Showcasing the strengths and attributes of Indigenous education to a wider audience is the goal of an upcoming conference.
The Think Indigenous Education Conference takes place March 16-18 in Saskatoon.
The annual conference will be hosted by the University of Saskatchewan’s Indian Teacher Education program.
ITEP Director Chris Scribe says the conference aspires to breakdown some of the existing misconceptions surrounding Indigenous education.
“To breakdown the stereotypes, to breakdown the ignorance and really showcase how brilliant and amazing Indigenous knowledge is,” he says. “That knowledge exists here and it’s plentiful and that resource is everywhere.”
Leslie Morin is a fourth-year ITEP student.
He co-presented on traditional forms of Métis dance at last year’s conference.
“We presented for 30 minutes to an audience of educators, counselors, people who are in the field of education, just to give them a different idea and perspective from what influenced us in our home communities,” Morin says. “That gave us that drive and incentive to keep going with education.”
Keynote speakers at this year’s education conference include Indigenous child welfare rights activist Cindy Blackstock, Indigenous human rights lawyer Sharon Venne and University of Regina Education professor Shauneen Pete.
About 600 educators from across Saskatchewan are expected to attend.
The Think Indigenous Education Conference will take place at the Saskatoon Inn and Lakeview Church.