Kikino School Principal Dr. Laurie Thompson has a clear message for educational leaders: learning is relational and Metis communities deserve to see their values and traditional knowledge reflected in the classroom.
Thompson recently achieved a monumental academic milestone by earning her Doctor of Education in Open, Digital and Distance Education from Athabasca University. Her motivation for pursuing the degree was deeply rooted in her desire to support the future of her school community.
"If we are truly lifelong learners, that means a commitment to being a lifelong teacher as well," she explained. ""I wanted to do research that was very real and applicable to my field, which is training. As I am approaching retirement, I wanted to leave something behind for the next principal that would help them, not hinder them, as they transition to that role."
Dr. Thompson's research resulted in an online prototype learning module designed to expose the historical suppression of Metis leadership paradigms and bridge educational gaps through storytelling. The module serves as a contemporary, relational tool to help school leaders understand what matters in Metis education, strengthening connections between administrators and local Elders, Knowledge Holders, and Knowledge Keepers.
"A big part of work centred around how to empower the community to have agency in the resources and approaches we use to deliver the curriculum," explained Thompson. "You must engage the community and tap into that knowledge and adjust your leadership style to one that honours and respects the community's values, and implement Indigenous ways of knowing and being."
Thompson's work highlighted the importance of privileging Indigenous knowledge alongside Eurocentric, Western and other knowledges already present in curriculum.
"All of that knowledge has its place. This is about bringing alongside Indigenous knowledge that has been replaced and suppressed," she explained. "Learning is relational and resource development at the local level credits the community and our Elders' knowledge."
As Thompson implemented her research at Kikino School one of the first things she noticed was increased involvement of Elders, growing from one or two who were consistently involved to around a dozen who were regularly connecting with the school.
"They were calling me. They were fully invested and directing me in what resources should be developed next," she said.
Kikino School staff also became more invested in seeking out knowledge.
"If staff knew there was an Elders' meeting, they would stay for it. I wouldn't need to ask them," she commented.
Thompson believes that the number one way to improve student outcomes is to improve teaching. As staff capacity grew and locally grounded resources were introduced, student attendance and engagement increased, and even drew in families who had not previously connected with the school.
Thompson's learning and teaching journey will continue as she continues to develop more resources to support the new provincial curriculum, and support other educational leaders with applying foundational knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit in their classrooms and school, an integral part of the provincial Teaching and Leadership Quality Standards.
Dr. Laurie Thompson is the NLPS Staff Shining Star for the month of June. Throughout the year, Northern Lights Public Schools highlights dedicated staff members who go above and beyond to support student success, strengthen our school communities and make a lasting impact across the division.
