Are you a K-12 teacher wanting to talk with students about the historical context of colonial conflicts like what is happening this week in #Wetsuweten territory, I would be happy to share some accessible resources. Please be in touch. Education is part of the solution.
OK, wow. I've gotten a tremendous response from teachers - and parents + those generally wanting more information - which is really, really heartening. I've DM'd with many of you, but thought I would publicly share some resources for the benefit of all. Other educators can add.
Talking about the raw history of colonization and militarized police operations with students can be a challenge, of course, but there are a lot of great resources out there. I'll focus on some easily accessible comics that I have found to be effective in my work:
The first would be the Girl Called Echo series by @katherenav: katherenavermette.com/a-girl-called-…. These three comics grapple with the heavy history of colonization and its ripple effects in really powerful and nuanced ways from the perspective of an Indigenous youth.
Then there is the great anthology This Place: 150 Years Retold. In particular, @Niigaanwewidam has an important piece on the 1990 "Oka" conflict that can introduce students to the dynamics of police and military violence in digestible ways: portageandmainpress.com/product/this-p…
Finally, for teens, there is Gord Hill's The 500 Years of Resistance Comics Book that provides an interesting history of how Indigenous peoples have fought back against colonial injustice for, well 500 years and counting: arsenalpulp.com/Books/T/The-50…
These are just a sampling of the resources available. The important thing is to acknowledge the news and invite kids and youth to learn more through education. Good luck this week/every week.
Here are some other helpful info graphics by Gord Hill. This one is on one of the Wet'suwet'en camps: brokenpencil.com/comics/comics-…
Here is a short history of the RCMP raid of Elsipogtog by Hill: brokenpencil.com/news/comic-gor…
For some non-comics resources, re: the difference between hereditary chiefs and band councils, see Bob Joseph's explanation: ictinc.ca/blog/hereditar…
In terms of resources/education/what can you do in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en, here is their tool kit for supporters: unistoten.camp/supportertoolk…
