COTA SUMMER INSTITUTE 2018
Theme: The World Through a Different Lens
Option 1 - Indigenous Summit
Option 2 - Mindfulness
Option 3 - Reggio Inspired Environment
Option 4 - Curriculum Focus
Option 5 - BCTF Boundaries Workshop
Option 1 - Indigenous Summit
August 28th, 29th, and 30th
August 28th - Keynote Speakers and Blanket Exercises
August 29th - Workshops
August 30th - Paddle for Reconciliation, workshops, and a salmon feast
COTA has partnered with the Westbank First Nations to support educators to bring in local indigenous knowledge, perspectives and teachings into their classrooms.
There are three parts to this Summit. The first day participants will hear stories from local and invited guests on their experiences growing up. There will be circle groups led by local elders, knowledge keepers and invited guests to bring together our two cultures and discuss ways we can move forward with reconciliation. Participants will also be invited to experience the Blanket Exercise. An experiential exercise that will help participants understand how colonization of the land has impacted the people who lived here long before settlers arrived. Through this exercise participants will explore the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada, how this relationship has been damaged over the years, and how we can work toward reconciliation.
The second day is designed to support participants to bring quality, authentic First Peoples teaching and learning into classrooms. The workshops will be offered in the classroom as well as on the land.
The third day participants will experience a Water Ceremony led by Chief Roxanne Lindley and Elders. Participants will have a chance to experience, learn traditional skills, and reflect on reconciliation through a variety of learning experience stations. The day will culminate in a salmon feast.
Registration is for the three days. Groups from schools are encouraged. Future inquiry opportunities on indigenizing the curriculum will be offered to these groups.
Registration is limited to 500 participants.
Click here to register. This will assure you a spot in this summit. Registration for specific workshops and activities will be available to registered participants at a later date.
August 28th, 2018
Location: Sensisyusten House of Learning
Time: 8:30am to 2:30pm
August 29th, 2018
Glenrosa Middle School and Westbank First Nation Sites
Time: 8:30am to 2:30pm
August 30th, 2018
Time: 8:30am to 2:30pm
Westbank First Nation's Beach
Sensisyusten, Pavillion and Sport's Field
There is no parking at Sensisyusten and at the WFN Beach. Parking and Bussing will be available at selected schools. Information will follow.
Below are two of our guests who have accepted our invitation. Ashley Callingbull and Cowboy Smithx
Cowboy Smithx is an Award Winning filmmaker of Blackfoot Ancestry from the Piikani and Kainai tribes of Southern Alberta, Canada. Cowboy is the founder and curator of the highly acclaimed International Indigenous speaker series “REDx Talks." He also serves as the Artistic Director of the Iiniistsi Treaty Arts Society. He writes, directs and produces film works in documentary, narrative, music video and experimental. Cowboy is currently working in Indigenous education, Cultural consultation and Youth work across the globe. Cowboy hosts the critically acclaimed podcast “The Silent X”.
Some Other Notable Speakers and Presenters:
Chief Roxanne Lindley - Westbank First Nations
Fernanda Alexander - Westbank First Nations
Dr. Nadine Caron - First Indigenous Surgeon in Canada
Dr. Greg Younging - Assistant Director of Research for the federal government’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
Jordan Cobble - Westbank First Nations
Howie Wright - Okanagan Nation Alliance Fisheries
Lee Claremont - Mohawk/Irish Contemporary Artist
Darren McKenzie - Cree/Metis Artist
SD#23 Employees click here to register
Out of District teachers click here to register
SUMMER INSTITUTE FEES:
- COTA Members $35.00/day
- SD#23 TTOCs will be covered by TTOC fund
- CUPE SD#23 $55.00/day
- Student Teachers $35.00/day
- Out of District Teachers $90.00/day
If you are interested in presenting at the next COTA Professional Development Day, please go to Call for Presenters (now accepting applications for our October 19th Pro-d Conference) and fill out the application form.
Programs in Professional Development brought to you by the Central Okanagan Teachers' Association