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  • Shaun Nanan

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: A Call to Action in Education with Cultural Competency Integration

September 30, 2024, marks Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation—a day to reflect, remember, and recognize the profound impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities. At Nanan STEM Academy, we honour this day by emphasizing the power of education as a vehicle for healing and progress, especially through the lens of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

For the past two years, Nanan STEM Academy has partnered with Cowessess First Nation in the First Nations Family STEM program. This initiative provides students with the opportunity to embark on an exciting journey of learning essential skills for the future of work. Through coding, robotics, 3D printing, and other hands-on STEM activities, students are empowered to not only engage with cutting-edge technologies, but also to embrace cultural pride.

3D Printed Designs by Cowessess First Nation Student

On September 14, 2024, Piapot First Nation joined this program, further expanding our collective efforts to ensure that Indigenous students and families learn together in an environment that respects and honours their traditions. Parents, grandparents, and caregivers play an active role, incorporating cultural teachings and language alongside STEM learning. For instance, lessons in coding and robotics are often paired with discussions on traditional Indigenous knowledge systems, offering students a holistic perspective that bridges their rich culture with future technological advancements.

Children, Parents, and Grandparents from Piapot First Nation Learn Together

This approach to education supports reconciliation by fostering both technical competency and cultural pride. By embedding cultural competency into our curriculum, we ensure that students are not only prepared for the future of work, but are also connected to their roots and empowered to carry forward Indigenous ways of knowing.

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Nanan STEM Academy stands committed to education as a pathway to healing, growth, and empowerment for Indigenous communities.

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