Celebrate National Indigenous History Month by honouring First Nations Knowledge Keepers. In this excerpt from the Knowledge Keeper Talking Circle, Sykes Powderface discusses bringing language and culture back into the classroom. He talks about the struggles of introducing traditional teachings into colonial systems of learning. In the video, he discusses the importance of listening and learning from others throughout his life and career. He also references “The Declaration of First Nations”, signed by chiefs across Canada in 1981. The words of this declaration can help First Nations students and schools today by teaching young people to know who they are and how strong they can be.

Sykes Powderface is from the Stoney Nakoda Nation in Morley, Alberta. He attended a residential school at Morley and moved to Mount Royal College. He has researched and studied Indigenous Treaty Rights for many years. His work experience includes administrative duties in various capacities with the Stoney Nakoda Nation, federal and provincial governments. He now has his own consulting services in treaties and the Canadian Constitution, traditional cultural teachings and policy analysis. His work continues to bring awareness of who Indigenous peoples are to the non-Indigenous peoples.

The First Nations Education Administrators Association’s “Gathering Place” Knowledge Keepers Talking Circle took place on March 10, 2021, on Zoom. The Knowledge Keepers spoke on the power of culture, storytelling, and land-based education. In this series, Knowledge Keepers tell stories for pandemic times, discuss First Nations education, lessons learned and best practices.