(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

Lessons for Teachers

Catholic School Division staff to receive Truth and Reconciliation training

Aug 29, 2021 | 10:00 AM

Along with a year’s full of lesson plans and getting organized for a new school year, all staff at Prince Albert Catholic School Division (PACSD) schools will be receiving training regarding Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The school division began the process in June. Their goal is to have all staff go through the training by the end of December.

The course is called the Four Seasons of Reconciliation Training and was created at the First Nations University in Regina to provide basic foundational knowledge on Truth and Reconciliation.

“We are hoping by the end of December that every staff member will have Truth and Reconciliation training,” Lorel Trumier, PACSD education director, told paNOW. “The first step is understanding and acknowledging the truth. That’s what our goals are for this year.”

Part of the curriculum is encouraging children to be engaged citizens in a positive way. A big part of this training will allow for staff to support students in and outside of the classroom.

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“I think the benefit will be the support our staff will be able to have when they are working in classrooms and educating students,” Trumier added. “We do ensure that we try to understand the history of residential schools and the impact.

“We’re going to be on a journey, and we are going to do the best we can. We will ensure that we look at the work we can do in our classrooms to make a difference for children.”

A key component the school division will be focusing on in the training is learning more about residential schools and aboriginal history.

“I would say we need to maintain a commitment to educating our children well,” Trumier said. “I think we need to focus on creating an understanding and respect for what has happened.

“We need to move this forward in a way that is better than what has been, and that is the commitment we will maintain and focus on.”

Ward three city councilor, Tony Head is very happy to see the training and advises that staff have an open mind and empathetic heart when looking at the Calls to Action.

“It’s so good to hear that, and I applaud administration for taking those steps to ensure that staff are being educated in the area of Truth and Reconciliation,” Head said. “I think it’s great news to hear, well done.”

Over the next few months, staff will do their training online through modules.

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Dawson.thompson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @dawsonthompson8