Honouring First Nations Knowledge Keepers – Dr Gwen Point
Posted on June 20, 2021
Celebrate National Indigenous History month by honouring First Nations Knowledge Keepers!
On March 20, 2021, Knowledge Keepers from across Canada gathered virtually to tell their stories that reflect the power of culture, storytelling, and land-based education. The Knowledge Keepers Talking Circle featured Knowledge Keepers from all over Canada who told stories about the importance of history, language, and culture in First Nations education.
FNEAA is honoured to share these stories and words of wisdom. Throughout the month of June and to celebrate National Indigenous History Month, FNEAA will be sharing a series of videos from the Knowledge Keepers Talking Circle.
Dr. Gwen Point currently serves as the Knowledge Keeper for the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations Chiefs. She served a term, 2015-2018, as The Chancellor for the University of the Fraser Valley. She also has over 30 years educational and professional experience in Indigenous education.
Early in her teaching career, Dr. Gwen Point acknowledged the challenges of having to teach the curriculum at that time and teach the culture, language, and traditions. She met with the Elders and asked, “How do I teach about the cedar tree? How do I teach about our longhouses?” The Elders told her not to just talk about it, but to do it. Knowledge Keeper Point encourages every Indigenous teacher, Indigenous administrator to do the same, bring your cultures, your languages, and your traditions alive in your classrooms.