(UNBC School of Education Twitter)
Our EDUC 394 class was lucky enough to attend a “Fire Circle” located at UNBC on September 29th with special quests from the UNHBC Drumming group. The event was powerful, emotional, and an eye opening experience to the Indigenous culture. Wesley Mitchell and other members of the drumming group / Indigenous community shared personal life experiences, they shared the importance behind truth and reconciliation, and provided us with their songs to be shared amongst one another. The “Fire Circle” started with optional smudging, different materials being passed to fellow students (such as tobacco to be thrown in the fire and various drums), and then we got the privilege of listening to the perspective and understanding of the Indigenous culture and what many have been through throughout the years. Wesley Mitchell explained that, through hard times that he has faced throughout his life he is able to turn to drumming and story telling to regain connection to his culture and that he felt the most safe and at peace sharing his culture and participating in their rituals. The activity included various songs and drumming being played not only by the UNHBC Drumming group but by everyone involved in the circle, whether it was singing, drumming, or clapping, everyone had a place to participate and be included. Something that stood out to me was a member of the drumming group had said that many Indigenous people are working towards truth and reconciliation to regain hope as many Indigenous peoples have lived through the tragedy of residential schools or have family members and friends that faced first hand experience. He also mentioned that many of the surviving Indigenous peoples we see today were somehow effected by the residential schools, which was overwhelming and saddening to think about. But he also recognized that many non-indigenous peoples are working towards truth and reconciliation for themselves as well, whether that being they are ashamed for their religions actions in the past or that they feel regret for what was done to many Indigenous peoples in the past. It was interesting to recognize the two different points of views that people could be feeling throughout this journey to rebuild a new way of life for Indigenous peoples that allow them to be accepted for who they are, no matter their culture. This activity was beyond powerful and was such a beautiful experience to be apart of and is something I will cherish throughout my professional career in teaching and as well as my personal life.
