Vancouver School District principals, vice-principals and teachers took part in a day with an Indigenous and anti-racism focus on Friday, November 27.

The purpose of the day was to walk together and learn alongside one another in what collective responsibility means in regard to Indigenous Education and becoming an anti-racist.

Educators explored the collective responsibility in ensuring safe schools for all students, in particular Black, Indigenous and People of Colour students. They discussed addressing anti-racism within school communities and how to move forward to lift those most vulnerable to racism.

Keynote speakers were Joe Truss and Carolyn Roberts. Truss is principal of Visitacion Valley middle school in San Francisco Unified School District. In his role he works to grow restorative practices and is committed to dismantling white supremacy culture in schools.

Roberts is a Coast Salish woman belonging to the Squamish Nation, and is an Indigenous teaching fellow at Simon Fraser University. Her work is grounded in educating new teachers and other faculty about the legacies of colonialism that can still be felt on this land today.

Truss and Roberts spoke on unmasking racism within schools.

Roberts touched on how land acknowledgements need to move away from passively acknowledging the land and territory into being active participants in educating ourselves about the colonial history of the land and the colonial structures we are situated within. She also addressed “What I talk about is difficult, and with difficult conversations comes discomfort. Our job as educators is to lean into this discomfort so that change can happen. [This is where] we can learn from and hopefully grow from.”

Truss spoke on his experience of when his school started talking about white supremacy culture. He also acknowledged talking about this topic can be uncomfortable and therefore is sometimes avoided. “If we start by talking about white supremacy culture than we can talk about doing something about white supremacy culture,” shares Truss.

"Getting the school district to implore us all to engage in this topic for the sake of all of our students empowers me in my continued learning and teaching about fighting for equity and social justice, and helps me feel supported in liberating our students,” says Byng Secondary teacher Alain Raoul.

“Alec Dan, Musqueam Elder Howard Grant, Carolyn Roberts, Joe Truss and the four very brave Grade 12 students who spoke are an inspiration to us all in our long journey of implementing anti-racist education," he adds.

"I hope these messages resonated with others as they did with me, and I hope to continue the conversation with my colleagues. Including student voices in that day was also incredibly powerful and fostered an a very present connection between the learnings and the experiences of students in our local schools," says Alison Thomas, provincial resource program teacher.

In the afternoon, a youth panel of students joined the discussions sharing their experiences with racism as well as where they feel they have been affirmed and valued.

The students referenced a need for change in curriculum, with a move away from a western, euro-centric focus. Vancouver Technical Secondary student Scarpetta-Lee shared how she feels a lot of course work is focused on the development of white people. “I think this is dangerous for all people because it reinforces an idea that white people are smarter and more artistic and should be focused on more”. She suggests teachers take time to focus work on the achievements and accomplishments of people of colour.

Point Grey student Eyubel Berhane hopes educators will teach on different races, religions and current social justice issues that include details such as the Black Lives Matter movement. “[There needs to be] classes on concentration camps, slavery and other race situations,” says Berhane.

The day wrapped up with educators breaking into their school communities for a school visioning exercise to create an action plan moving.

Learn more about Indigenous Education at the Vancouver School District. View anti-racism resources.