Participants on the banks of the stal̕əw̓ (Fraser River) with Zarah Martz and Shaloh Mitchell, sniw̓ Consultants

 

On Saturday, May 24, nearly 50 staff from across SHCS—Child Care, HR, Marcom, Safety and more—along with a few staff from the Richmond School District, participated in Truth and Reconciliaction: Decolonizing Educational Praxis, a unique land-based learning experience at xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).

Organized by Ena Point, UBC Child Care, through her organization sniw̓ Consultants, attendees heard from several xʷməθkʷəy̓əm community members and participated in a variety of educational sessions and activities.

Child Care educators with Zarah Martz, sniw̓ Consultants

Tristan Point teaching atlatl throwing

Speakers and organizers

Speakers and organizers included:

  • Ena Point, Indigenous Relations Engagement Pedagogist, UBC Child Care, and co-founder, sniw̓ Consultants 
  • Morgan Guerin, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Councillor and co-founder, sniw̓ Consultants 
  • Alec Guerin, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Councillor
  • Shaloh Mitchell, co-founder, sniw̓ Consultants 
  • Zarah Martz, co-founder, sniw̓ Consultants

Activities

Throughout the day, attendees participated in a range of educational activities, including:​

  • A presentation on the history of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm and the deep impacts of colonization
  • A tour of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm
  • Weaving cedar bark bracelets with Crystal Stogan, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm
  • Atlatl throwing workshop with Tristan Point, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm

Many thanks to everyone at sniw̓ Consultants and the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm community for offering this very special opportunity for SHCS staff, and thank you to all the SHCS staff who registered and took part.

Zarah Martz, sniw̓ Consultants, Alec Guerin, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Councillor, and Ena Point, sniw̓ Consultants

All photos courtesy Nicole Farrell, UBC Child Care.