Skoden : Teaching, Talking, and Sharing About and for Reconciliation

Abstract

Welcome to Skoden: Teaching, Talking, and Sharing About and for Reconciliation. The word Skoden originates from the expression, let’s go then, and this resource is designed for use by faculty, staff, and administrators working in post-secondary settings in Canada.

The purpose of this text is to offer support to individuals and institutions working towards understanding the colonial history of Canada and its ongoing impact on people who are First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Skoden is designed to offer opportunities for reflection on what this truth means for each of us personally and professionally.

These materials were prepared by Elder Blu Waters, Randy Pitawanakwat, and Darcey Dachyshyn, with the support of many others. We are a team of First Nations and non-Indigenous colleagues who work together closely to share truth and talk openly about what reconciliation might look and feel like within post-secondary settings. We hope the information and opportunities for reflection provided here meet you wherever you are on the truth and reconciliation journey.

In Skoden, instructors, staff, and administrators consider how to decolonize and Indigenize those aspects of post-secondary settings they are responsible for. Through a lens of looking back to understand how to go forward in reconciliation, participants learn about Indigenous teachings, Canadian colonization, the history and impact of treaties, and contemporary Indigenous challenges and resilience.

This learning opportunity will assist efforts by Ontario’s post-secondary institutions to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA People Calls for Justice, and improve all Canadian students’ experiences. Reconciliation is not an Indigenous issue or responsibility. We are all treaty partners. Skoden encourages non-Indigenous instructors, staff, and administrators to consider what it means to be a treaty partner, how they can address the Calls to Action and Calls for Justice in their own practice, and how to stand with Indigenous communities across Canada.

The key to the Skoden learning opportunity is reflection, and in each chapter reflective questions and activities for you to undertake are provided. The ultimate experience would be to use the Skoden materials in conjunction with regular opportunities to gather with an Indigenous Elder or Knowledge Keeper to engage in sharing circles to learn from one another.