Reflecting on the Deeper Learning Convening - Guest Post by BHS Principal, Lauren McBride

I am writing this from 40,000 feet in the air as I head back home to Vermont. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend time in British Columbia visiting the Abbotsford School District this week. I have learned a lot from them, and have felt humbled by our experiences. 

Abbotsford is located just outside of Vancouver and is considered part of the traditional and unceded territory of the Stó:lō people, the Semá:th First Nation and Mathxwí First Nation. It was an honor to be visiting their land. Over the course of the week we began each day celebrating the people whose land we were visiting and heard stories from different elders within the community. What struck me was the importance and prevalence of storytelling and being connected to the land of which we were visiting.  Each morning we began our sessions in the Longhouse (featured below). During this time, at the opposite end of the Longhouse a group of people were working on creating two “House Posts' that celebrated two people who were influential in bringing indigenous curriculum and art to Abbotsford School District. Watching this group carve the House Posts from Cedar was remarkable - and as artist Raphael told us, laughing…. These House Posts feature his mother and father- who will stand together outside of the District Offices once complete…. He laughed as he told me the irony that they are divorced so being next to one another is an odd thing so he decided to make younger versions of them to reflect the time that they liked each other. ;)

This community emphasized the importance of cultivating the body, spirit and mind. They stated that if one of these things is not intact, that it makes it hard for students and adults to be fully present and that we all need to be more in tune and taking time to nourish our bodies, minds and spirits. This, and the power of stories has really stuck with me as I head back to VT. The communities of the Stó:lō people, the Semá:th First Nation and Mathxwí First Nation have deep roots, and yet are only recently allowed to bring their history back into the schools. Students reflected on the importance and value of being seen and teachers spoke about the need to really want to support and ensure they knew these stories as they work to enhance their curriculum to reflect these communities. This made me think a lot about Burlington. We are a community rich with untapped stories- some of us and our students are connected to this land and others may feel like visitors. How can we continue to hear and share our stories in a way that provides meaning? Additionally, how can we support not only our students, but ourselves in nourishing our own bodies, minds and souls- specifically at a time where we feel depleted. I know these are big questions. Know that these are on my mind as we try to support you and our students towards the end of the school year.