Elder teachings

Reflection by Susie McPherson-Derendy

Truth and Reconciliation, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

The vision for EDI strategies for most learning communities is to live toward the wellbeing and safety for all and that is the hope for this EDI strategy also. My hope for this one, in particular, is to have continued conversations as a way of checking in with the learning community, listen, support and act in response to challenges and barriers that are faced. The work of EDI will always be toward making a difference for students, faculty, staff and community.

It has been said that, “this work is not easy. It requires us to confront uncomfortable truth and challenges to long held conditioned beliefs and practices”. Every step toward living into a win-win reality where we all win at no one’s expense, where we are each honored and we all participate. (Rohr)

Relationship and Community are Medicine. The benefits of the hope for outcomes of this work will be for Manitoba post secondary education and beyond.

I attended a conference at Western University in London, ON in June 2023 and one of the important teachings I came away with was from a presenter whose role is decolonizing curriculum. She said half of the important work of decolonization and indigenizing is preparation, helping faculty and staff to understand why decolonizing curriculum needs to happen, and once that occurs, the rest happens.