As educators we need “to take a critical look at how the image of First Nations people…is reproduced in schools and consider strategies to challenge it” (Dion, 2009).  One of the ways I plan to continue to develop, challenge stereotypical points of view, and create lesson through an Indigenous lens is to be self-initiating and find resources to learn more than just a single story.  This can be done by reading books, watch documentaries, continue to find workshops such as William Lindsay, and the presentation at Mamelaw’t CAC that will provide me with multiple stories about the Aboriginal and Indigenous people.  Chimamanda Adichie during a Ted Talk stated that, stereotypes is not untrue but is incomplete, and that a single story robs people of their dignity because it focuses on how we are different vs. our similarities.  I want to be able to present multiple stories so that I am challenging stereotypes, by providing students with a more complete picture on who the Aboriginal and Indigenous people are.  Lastly, I need to continue to develop knowledge, educational theory, and effective practice so that I can present these stories in a meaningful way that will trigger an emotion or create a connection.  

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An example of how I have started to integrate the Aboriginal and Indigenous culture into my lesson was during the Placed Based Education day at Deer Lake Park.  I was given the opportunity to teach a lesson on PE to the whole class and the lesson included a mini PDP amazing race activity.  One of the four task that students had to do was say “good morning it’s a beautiful day” in Haida Gwaii.  I collaborated with a colleague from Haida Gwaii where she was able to provide me knowledge on her language.  I had each Haida word written on paper with its English translation on the back scattered around the place.  Students then had to search for these words, memorize it and state it back to me in order to be given the next clue.  Other ways I can integrate Aboriginal content into PE class is convey how sports such as hockey impacted those in residential school.  Teach through play and modification that sports was a way of survival for some students.  Through small creative activities I want to continue to develop strategies, and bring in Aboriginal content into the PE as I gain more experience and knowledge about their history and culture.