Today we attended a Pro-D Day Keynote, presented by Niigaan Sinclair. This keynote touched on a few different topics and Indigenous issues and related them to the education system. He discussed multiculturalism, and the importance of embracing it. Despite not being Indigenous, I can still embrace and accept Indigenous culture. That is what Indigenous education is all about. He talked about the importance of children having a father figure in their lives, and how absent fathers are the worst possible thing for a family dynamic. He also talked about residential schools, their impacts, and how they cut off young Indigenous peoples from their traditional roots, such as language. Young Indigenous people need to learn to reconnect with their traditional roots. He also talks about how we need to respect the place in which we are, and how knowledge can come from the land and not just teachers. As a teacher, it is important to build relationships with your students, and make sure all students feel welcome and heard. It’s also the responsibility of the teacher to ensure create employability amongst the students, who can work in a wide variety of environments.