COMMUNITY

Our family has been a part of École Isabelle Dicken Elementary School (EIDES) since our eldest started school in 2018. While it was evident the school fosters an inclusive environment, what was surprising was the integration of Indigenous education, beginning in Kindergarten. The girls regularly share the Ktunaxa stories and lessons they learn from Ms. Peters, and I’m grateful for the material that comes home with them. More often than not, it’s the first time I’ve been exposed to the story, language, lesson, or culture and while I find it fascinating, it also makes my heart full that to them it is just the norm.

Curious who this Ms. Peters is, and also keen to learn more about her role in the public school system, Kerry (Ms. Peters!) and I set a coffee (and hot chocolate) date and had a wonderful conversation.

Originally from Sarnia, Ontario, a place Kerry considers her hometown, her ancestors were from Owen Sound. “I wasn’t raised with an Indigenous background, but have Indigenous roots,” she tells me. After high school, Kerry was a dedicated mom and homemaker, and decided to return to school as an adult to pursue a three-year program in Child and Youth Care. After a couple of years in the field, she was drawn to a job listing for a Tutor Escort to work with Indigenous students, “and now it’s been twenty years that I have been working with this population,” she shares. “I felt connected to it, comfortable and it felt like it was where my home and place was. I still feel that to this day.”

Ten years ago, Kerry moved to the Elk Valley and began working in Cranbrook as an Aboriginal Education Support Worker through the School District’s ABED Program. In this role, Kerry works with students of Aboriginal Ancestry (students who self-identify as First Nation, Metis, or Inuit), providing support for them mentally, physically, socially, and emotionally in order to help them reach their full potential. Additionally, Kerry works with teachers to incorporate Aboriginal content into the curriculum.

Kerry was commuting from Elko to Cranbrook for her first two years in the Valley and was looking for a position closer to home. When she saw one listed in EIDES and Jaffray Elementary/Junior Secondary School, Kerry applied and got the job. “It was a great move. I have students from Kindergarten to Grade Ten and have always loved that broad age range,” she says. “I have over 80 Aboriginal Students on my case load between my two schools that have self-identified as having First Nation, Metis or Inuit ancestry. I had my first Inuit student identify this year in Fernie, that was exciting!”

Kerry tries to be very inclusive and mindful in this role. Working with teachers, Kerry may be invited into classrooms to present information on Indigenous people, their history and cultures. She has had amazing guests present to classes or the entire school, including Joe Pierre Jr. Nasuʔkin on Ktunaxa Legends, Amy Cross with a Metis Presentation and Dancing, the Ktunaxa elders among others. The education begins in Kindergarten with the Learning Journey Series over six weeks. “It’s really great, the animals teach them about social skills like sharing and caring,” Kerry says. “I approach each level differently. Children’s stories for the little ones, videos for the middle grades… we adapt as best we can and there are a lot

Kerry Peters

by KRISTA TURCASSO

I ask her how she supported students this spring when the remains of 215 children at a former Residential School were discovered.

“When I first heard about it, I was watching it on the news like everyone else. On Sunday I got a hold of the principals at both schools and we posted information on Facebook about wearing orange t-shirts on Monday. I went to Walmart, and there was an entire stack of orange t-shirts. I grabbed as many as I could (over 60) and brought them with me to school. The best first step is to talk about it… to acknowledge the horrific events that have happened. Join one another and walk together in this journey.

“I went on the PA system (TEAMS in Jaffray) and was careful with my wording, as we have little ones in the audience. I said that many of you will know we are wearing orange shirts in memory of the 215 children who didn’t make it safely home from the Kamloops Residential School. I have a t-shirt for every classroom. You can hang it on the bulletin board or decorate it respectfully. And I finished with I am grateful I can come to a school every day and speak my language. I am grateful I can come to school every day and wear the clothes I choose to wear. I am grateful I can come to school every day and feel safe. I kept it very neutral.”

We share our relief that the Government officially passed in legislation that September 30 will be a federal statutory holiday - the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. “You know, it is one of the 94 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action,” she tells me. She thinks it might be about *ten that have been accomplished. “It’s a process and step by step we have to make that change,” Kerry says.

Over her twenty years working in this field, Kerry has seen growth and change. “The kids are more accepting of each other and understanding of the Indigenous culture and ways of life. And they have more of an interest. There are also more community connections with the Elders and Knowledge Keepers.”

She continues to list the new initiatives in school, from the Ktunaxa words of the week to the amazing sacred sitting stone circle in the back field to the advancement of technology in the ABED Programming. Kerry also shares that she is also very passionate about writing.

“When I first started in the Valley there was a lack of materials on Indigenous Social/Emotional Skills so I wrote my own stories to use. I am still requested at times to present my stories and activity sheets. However, now there are many valuable Indigenous resources and materials to choose from which attests to how the Indigenous ways of learning is becoming more embedded into the curriculum.”

Which is Kerry’s hope, that Indigenous learning and ways become a natural part of the curriculum. That we continue to acknowledge the past and take action and walk the journey together. “It’s okay to stumble and make mistakes, we are all learning,” she says.

And wow, have I learned so much during my time with Kerry. Especially how much gratitude I have for the comfort and understanding and knowledge she provides to our children, and to me during this interview. Hu sukiⱡqukni (thank you) Kerry.

1. When did you first arrive in the Valley and what brought you here?

I arrived in 2011 and I guess romance and career opportunity brought me here.

2. Who did you first meet?

I loved going to the little shops so it would have to be the shop owners… the ladies at the little one that sold fudge! Also, I first started as a noon hour supervisor at EIDES so I met Dawn Voysey!

3. Do you remember your first general impression of Fernie?

I thought it was a beautiful little town and was really drawn to the downtown and little shops… and the mountains!

4. What keeps you here?

I think the people and I love my job and the connections I’ve made here.

5. Do you have a favourite Fernie pastime?

I love walking around Maiden Lake and through the town.

6. What time of the year do you love most in Fernie, and why?

Probably spring because that’s when everything is starting to bloom and grow and I can go on little hikes with the kids and look at the new birth and growth.

7. Where do you see or hope to see Fernie in five years?

I would like to see the Indigenous celebrations in the community grow and evolve.

8. How do you start your day or what is one of your daily rituals?

I just try to wake up, I’m not the biggest morning person! I have to have a hot chocolate or something to get myself awake. And then just giving thanks to the Creator every day.

9. Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.

I’ve always aspired to be the next American Idol or on The Voice… but I don’t sing very well.

10. Quote to live by: Richard Wagamese – “All that we are is story. From the morning we are born to the time we continue on our spirit journey. We change the world with our story…” (Look up the full quote, it is beautiful!)

*According to bctreaty.ca, as of June 30, 2021 14 calls to action have been completed.