Grace Fox is from M’Chigeeng First Nation and has dedicated her life to Indigenous Education. Over the course of her career, Grace has been a Guidance Counsellor, Teacher, Principal, and Director of Education and is now a Trustee with the Rainbow District School Board. In spite of having attended residential school, Grace was able to retain her Anishnaabemowin language and feels strongly that Indigenous languages are critical to a meaningful understanding of Indigenous Education today.
Grace is concerned that Indigenous Education Scholarship today is leading us away from the heart of the Indigenous knowledge and practices; which resides with Indigenous people who are living in the language, close to the land, and who are practicing traditional ceremonies. Without a focus on these core aspects of Indigenous Education, there is the risk that attempting to understanding Indigenous Knowledge and practice within the English language and through Western assessment tools, will further colonize Indigenous people. Although there have been some improvements in the valuing of Indigenous languages in provincial schools system as a result of efforts at reconciliation, there is so much work that needs to be done.
