Educational Equity Podcast: Equity for Indigenous Students

Hosted by Dr. Sejal Patel (Director and Associate Professor, School of Early Childhood Studies), and featuring:

Jodie Williams currently works as the Academic Coordinator for Indigenous Education with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board and is the Past Chair for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Association of Ontario.  She has been involved in land-based experiential learning and culture camps with students for over a decade and has created Anishinaabemowin language programs for Indigenous students to access from across Ontario. Together she and her husband have 5 daughters and one granddaughter.

Tesa Fiddler is Anishinaabe, a member of Kitchinuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (Ki-chi-na-may-coo-zeeb In-ni-noo-wug) in Northwestern Ontario. She is a mother, and has been an educator for nearly over 20 years.  Tesa is currently the Coordinator of Indigenous Education at Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board.

Dr. Nicole Ineese-Nash is an Indigenous researcher, educator, and community worker with over 10 years of experience working with Indigenous children, youth, and communities. Born and raised in Toronto, Nicole is a member of Costance Lake First Nation in Treaty 9 territory and holds relation to the lands, waters, and people along the English and Kabikagomi Rivers. With a PhD in Social Jutice Education and a Master’s in Early Childhood studies, she is passionate about supporting Indigenous self-determination and cultural resurgence, particularly in the context of childhood and youth. Nicole’s various research and practice interests reflect her lived experience as an Indigenous person on a path of cultural reconnection and learning. As an Assistant Professor cross-appointed between the schools of Early Childhood Studies and Child and Youth Care at Toronto Metropolitan University, Nicole leads innovative community-based research on the topics of Indigenous disability, early learning, land-based education and youth mental health. Her research with Indigenous young people spurred the foundation of her national charitable organization called Finfing Our Power Together, which offers mental health coaching, group psychoeducation, and cultural healing to Indigenous youth across Canada. Nicole’s skills in community-based research, social justice education, and Indigenous cultural practices have allowed her to work with Indigenous communities both in and out of the academy, informing her research, writing, teaching and practice.

In this podcast, participants shared their perspectives on equity for Indigenous students. The discussion was guided by the following questions: 

1. What are some promising approaches to enhancing equity for Indigenous students in elementary schools (ages 4-13)?
2. What are some of the challenges that you/your organization has experienced in working to enhance equity for Indigenous students in elementary schools?
3. In your view, what actions can be taken by education stakeholders in enhancing equity?

A transcript for this podcast episode can be found on the ‘Podcasts’ page of the Educational Equity Symposium website.