Walk the Talk

Here are some ideas for continuing your learning.

Follow the prompts to move from CURIOSITY to ACTION.

1. Learn more about Musqueam history.

a. Write down 3 important dates in your own life, in your family history, or 3 events that are historically significant to you.

b. Review the Fraser Delta animation video (http://www2.moa.ubc.ca/musqueamteachingkit/delta.php), paying special attention to what is happening on the map around the dates you chose.

c. Take a look at Ch. 6 “Our History” from xwməθkwəyə̓ m: qwi:lq̕ wəl̕ ʔə kwθə snəwe̓ yəɬ ct Musqueam: giving information about our teachings (http://www2.moa.ubc.ca/musqueamteachingkit/media/pdf/Chapter%206_Eng.pdf, especially pgs. 113-118).

d. Have a conversation with someone about this experience and share what you learned.

2. Explore Indigenous presence in the city.

a. Watch the Vancouver Newcomers Guide: Aboriginal Perspectives video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4mg5IDKbmg&feature=youtu.be)

b. Take a look at the City of Vancouver’s First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers (https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/First-Peoples-A-Guide-for-Newcomers.pdf).

c. What do you know about the history of the city where you were born or grew up?

d. Investigate the history of First Peoples in a city that is important to you and share this information with someone you know who lives there.

3. Go deeper with land acknowledgements.

a. Read “Welcome to Musqueam Territory” by UBC alumna Emily Morantz (https://students.ubc.ca/ubclife/welcome-musqueam-territory?utm_source=post-recent-cat).

b. Have you ever made a land acknowledgement? If so, what did you learn in the workshop that was relevant to how you approach this? If not, can you imagine an instance where you would do so?

c. What are some things you already know, are starting to learn, or would like to find out more about to prepare yourself?

d. The next time you hear someone give a land acknowledgement, approach them afterward and have a conversation about their perspective and approach. Begin writing down your own list of things you would include when making a land acknowledgement.

4. Indigenous Foundations.

a. Ask yourself some questions: What do you know about the Indian Act? What do you know about the Sixties Scoop?

b. Go to the Indigenous Foundations website (https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/). Locate and read the articles on the topics referred to.

c. Come up with a list of topics or questions related to First Nations issues that you would like more information on and see what answers you can find on the Indigenous Foundations website. Take it further by applying what you are learning to what you will study at UBC and/or use this as a starting point for a school project.

5. Wondering about Language?

a. Write down 3-4 questions about language you would like clarified. They may be lingering questions from the workshop, for example, “What is the difference between a house post and a totem pole?” or “What does Aboriginal refer to?”

b. Read UBC’s Indigenous Peoples: Language Guidelines (https://assets.brand.ubc.ca/downloads/ubc_indigenous_peoples_language_guide.pdf) and the articles in the “Identity and Terminology” section in Indigenous Foundations (https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/identity/).

c. Think of some situations where you might practice some of this unfamiliar language and/or words that your are not certain about. What will you do if someone corrects you? What can you do to help yourself continue learning even if you feel uncertain or uncomfortable with language?

d. Practice! Apply what you’ve learned by using the new terminology whenever it is relevant in conversations or written communication. Note down instances where you see this language being used in the media, in your coursework, or in public and private conversations. What do you notice about your evolving understanding of these words?