Teaching Humanity

Each day at my school begins with our Land Acknowledgment, said during morning announcements. For me, it’s a daily affirmation of my commitment to building unity in the community and including Indigenous wisdom in my instruction.

This Land, by Ashley Fairbanks, is an excellent resource for schools and students to begin the conversation with their Native Tribe, in co-creating a Land Acknowledgment. It walks students through thinking deeply about the land they live on, the sacredness of that land, and the histories of their communities. It also guides readers toward the essential work of building meaningful relationships with local Native Tribes.

To find out whose land you’re on: Native-Land.ca

Oh my, it has been a while since a book has surprised me. I’m not sure I have ever come across a picture book that has covered so many important topics in one small moment story- natural disasters, human migration, incarceration, climate change, language and more. Simon, by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, is a beautiful story detailing a day in the life of a Vietnamese American girl whose community is threatened by a wildfire. This book sparks conversations about the ways communities come together during difficult times, human rights and what really matters in life.