Getting Involved with Truth & Reconciliation

September 18th has been designated as a “Day of Learning” by the University of the Fraser Valley, not only about the residential school experience of Canada’s First Peoples, but about the long-term and long-ranging effects of the experience of colonialism and the oppressive/degrading attitudes of the colonizers of North America. I am excited about being able to involve all my Fall 2013 students in some aspect of this learning as well as learning for myself and how I can use materials in future years.

Here are some of the ways I will be engaging in the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) dialogue with my students in my introductory CMNS courses: 125 and 155 Online, and in 180 (Intercultural Communication).

After doing some in-class orientation to the Day of Learning all students will have a related assignment:

– a choice of a) participating on campus in either Abbotsford or Chilliwack on September 18, b) engaging in an online activity related to the residential school experience (for online students) c) traveling to Vancouver to participate in the learning events taking place on the PNE grounds, d) participating in the walk from Coqualeetza, and e) volunteering to assist with the Sept. 18 events at the Abbotsford campus.

– For CMNS 125, 155 a requirement to write a workplace memo about their experience and learning

– For CMNS 180 to write a personal reflection essay

Most of all I am excited that the intercultural communication regular class time actually falls on Wednesday September 18 and will allow those students to participate in preparatory work, volunteering and a learning session designed specifically to fit into a topic they would be studying in class: identity and values. They will be helping to host a campus-wide learning session from 6-8 PM on that evening.

Have you thought about how you can get your students involved? It would be great to see some comments here about your ideas. Maybe they will spark other instructors to get involved as well in all disciplines and departments.

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Dr. Marcella LaFever (University of New Mexico, 2005) is an Associate Professor in the Communications Department at the University of the Fraser Valley. She specializes in intercultural communication and brings that expertise to various subjects such as communication for workplace, instruction, social media, team and public speaking contexts.