The way that I view the world is heavily influenced by where I am from, family views, religion, and other’s experiences. I am from a First Nation’s reserve even though my family is of white descent. This has given me a comfortability in situations with mixed crowd of white and First Nations people. My home life, especially involving my mother, have been the biggest impact on my life “hands down.” Every story, and experience that she has shared with me leads me to a formed opinion about certain topics, and since we’ve been through a lot of the same hardships, I can only speculate as to how much she has gone through and endured, all while being a single mother. My Christian background has also played a part on my life based on how my family has celebrated holidays, and shared similar views. By other people’s experiences, I mean how teachers (as an example) have learned and experienced the world and developed their lenses and through the teachings/lessons they have passed on to me via the curriculum and hidden curriculum. In order to work against these biases, there must be an acceptance of discomfort and realization that this is the process towards growth, learning, and healing. A way to view this is by acknowledging the fact that knowledge is everchanging and a lifelong process. This is also done by changing the how we learn, along with the what. If what we learn does not address these important aspects of the readings, the writings “can merely repeat stereotypes and create new ones by glossing over complexities, contradictions, and diversity” (Kumashiro, 2009).
The “single stories” used in my schooling were those of Eurocentric views regarding indigenous curriculum. Even though the school I went to was 10 minutes away from a First Nations Reserve, there was a lack of knowledge or incorrect way of teaching the topic. In these “single stories,” the only views that mattered were those that the teachers deemed important which were sponsored by pale, male, and stale advocates derived from the Eurocentric, colonial perspective.
Jake's Blog 
I didn’t know that you grew up on a First Nations reserve! It is so interesting to hear about everyone’s background coming into this program. I do find it very interesting that I never would have guessed that is where you grew up, but it would have been my first guess for a person that looked Indigenous.
“Acceptance of discomfort” is a very wise saying. I have certainly begun to get used to feeling uncomfortable, and I think that is so valuable for an educator. Maybe we can start to appreciate the way other non-privileged people feel throughout their daily life.
I’m sure it would have been interesting being in your shoes, listening to the way your school taught Indigenous Education. Did you ever get to experience a class that was on a reserve? I’m very curious about the way that they teach Treaty Ed or if they all know it just from living in it every day!
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