Raven Willoughby
- Home Community:
Raised in Carman, Manitoba;
now Brandon, Manitoba. - Cultural Identity:
Red River Métis - Current Position:
Indigenous Education Learning Specialist – Brandon School Division - Education/Training:
B.A; B.Ed; M.Ed (Curriculum & Pedagogy)
- Roles & Responsibilities:
I support students and teachers of twenty-four schools by planning and welcoming Knowledge Carriers into schools, providing professional development and teachings, managing several provincial grants and reports, and serving on Indigenous community committees.
“Build your comfort and knowledge, don’t expect to have it all at once.”
What obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?
Feeling Indigenous enough. I grew up disconnected from my Métis heritage. Much of the learning I receive has been/is alongside students. I learn whenever/however possible but I’ve realized that teaching Indigenous culture is a community task; I engage community members and appropriate resources.
What or who inspired you to really go after the profession you are in now?
This position is not one that existed when I began teaching. I was teaching the Current Topics in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies course at Prairie Hope High School, and partnering with our other three high schools to share teachings and events. My interactions with many community Elders and Knowledge Carriers, and my desire to expand this work into other schools, led me to apply for this position. It was the excitement that I saw in the style of learning (community presenters, land-based activities, field trips to meaningful events and places) and the connections that I made to community Knowledge Carriers that gave me inspiration to take this position.
What critical choices or decisions did you make that helped you get where you are today?
I left my comfort zone again and again. I was a high school trained education student but taught Kindergarten and Grade 7 in my first year. I taught middle years, senior years, and then some of each; I taught my teachable subjects: English and Social Studies, but also Drama, Science, etc., then support roles as Response to Intervention, and Continuous Improvement Coach. I attempted varied teaching styles and applied for grants. Just when I thought I was about to take on my “ideal teaching position”, something in life happened and I ended up teaching something and somewhere else.
Message of Encouragement:
Start where you are. Engage in one strategy to Indigenize education, get comfortable, then try another. Build your comfort and knowledge, don’t expect to have it all at once.
