August 2024
Shannon Leddy, MA’97, BEd’05, is a member of the Métis nation and a faculty member who worked in the Vancouver field centre from 2018-2022
What inspired you to get involved in Indigenous teacher education?
I am an Indigenous educator who has worked in the Vancouver School District. I know what Indigenous teachers can face in the field, and I wanted to help prepare them well for it.
How does NITEP contribute to the broader aims of decolonization and reconciliation in education?
NITEP is one of the most beautiful programs I have ever had the pleasure of working with! Having a strong Indigenous presence in the office, on the Faculty, and in our classrooms makes such a huge difference in how we consider teaching and learning from Indigenous perspectives. Our voices matter, and NITEP helps strengthen them.
How has your involvement with NITEP impacted you personally?
I loved teaching in the NITEP program because it was one of the few parts of my job that didn’t require a lot of decolonizing work up front – we could just get down to teaching and learning, which was always a relief. I also adore my NITEP colleagues, and knowing them continues to enrich my life and gives me a safe-space feeling on campus.
What guidance would you offer educators aiming to cultivate inclusive learning environments?
You have to do the work of decolonizing in order to engage in Indigenous education practices effectively and meaningfully. Keep an open stance, and remember that it’s okay to make mistakes, but we also have to learn from them.
What are your thoughts on the future of Indigenous education?
The future is so bright! There are so many wonderful educators coming out of the NITEP program and taking up spaces in classrooms throughout the province – this fills me with hope! There are also an increasing number of excellent teaching resources out there developed by Indigenous educators, showing others that the ways we think about the world are really important and highly accessible.
Is there anything else you would like to share about NITEP?
I love it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Visit the Celebrating 50 Years of NITEP page.
