EDSO-3100-01-Social-Justice-Assignment“Welcoming early learning environments for children, family, community, and Elders to create intergenerational learning spaces.”
Angela James (Becoming a capable child; Early Years Study, 2020)
In my EDSO class I did my Social Justice assignment based on an initiative I built into a program that I strongly believe should be implemented in every school. I called it the Elder and Traditional Knowledge Keeper Program. This program is based on the fact that Elders have always been the primary “educators” within the Indigenous communities. Elders would pass on their knowledge and skills through on the land activities, participation and story telling. The modern school system has drifted away from the traditional ways of learning in Indigenous communities. This program would welcome Elders into the school to pass on their traditional knowledge and culture because they are integral to revival, maintenance and preservation of the Indigenous cultures.
I have experienced first hand a program similar to this back home and would love for it to be implemented in more schools. Not only would the students benefit from this program but so will the Elders, the community and the Indigenous culture.