Grateful for Curriculum Implementation Day

On Monday January 16, staff from across the Pacific Rim School District came together for a day of learning focused on Truth and Reconciliation.  Staff participated in activities planned to increase cultural understanding and to demonstrate a commitment to move forward together.

To account for the District’s geographic diversity staff were invited to participate from three separate locations including Bamfield Community School, Ucluelet Secondary School and Alberni District Secondary School.  Each site began the day with a cultural opening hosted by the Nations whose territory with which the activity was taking place.  Staff were grateful to listen and learn from the knowledge shared with them by hupačasath Chief Councillor Brandy Lauder, c̓išaaʔatḥ Chief Councillor Ken Watts, c̓išaaʔatḥ Councillor Ed Ross, c̓išaaʔatḥ Councillor Leisa Hassall, Grace George, Jean Thomas, members of the Huu-ay-aht Nation and other knowledge keepers.

A message was then broadcast via livestream to all three sites.   This included a discussion panel moderated by Superintendent Tim Davie that included Board Chair Pam Craig, ADTU President Ryan Dvorak, CUPE 727 President Nadine White and Nuu Chah Nulth Tribal Council Director of Education, Training and Social Development Ian Caplette. The day concluded with individual school teams looking at how they can use First Peoples Principles of Learning to guide their work.

A big part of the District’s learning was following protocol by first asking the Nations whose territory we are on for permission to do this business and then asking for those Nations to help the District open the day in a culturally appropriate way.  We are grateful for all those who participated in the event and are helping us move forward together.