Before starting my journey in the education program, I graduated from UNBC with a degree in First Nations Studies. This degree was extremely fulfilling, and I learned so much about myself. I really believe I wouldn’t be as grounded as I am without completing this degree. Getting into education was always my goal when I decided to go back to school and I found majoring in First Nations Studies to be very applicable to what we learn in the education program and what we are expects to do such as reflecting, sharing circles, and ensuring wellbeing for all students.
When I graduated from my First Nations Studies degree, my best friend gifted me a drum that she made for me. She added symmetrical painted flowers in the corner of the drum and it is supposed to represent Métis beading. This drum is very special to me because the meaning behind it is significant to teaching. My friend tied a feather to the end of the drum and told me that it represents knowledge. As she knew I was going to be starting my journey in the education program, she told me that this drum can be used in my classroom with my future students. I find drumming to be very grounding and it is a great way to foster community in the classroom. I am looking forward to using my drum in the classroom with my students in the future and I hope it brings my students as much joy as it does for me.
