The English Montreal School Board has engaged two new education professionals, Raymond Johnson-Brown and Kurt Kerschl, to serve as project development officers to provide Indigenous Students Support.
Raymond Johnson-Brown joins the EMSB Student Services Department with over 13 years of experience, bringing a rich blend of lived experience and professional expertise to their role. A Two-Spirit, Afro-Mi'kmaq individual and the first generation of survivors of Nova Scotia's Home for Colored Children, Raymond's journey through systemic challenges has profoundly shaped their commitment to fostering healing, resilience, and systemic change for marginalized communities.
Raymond's work has spanned diverse initiatives, including partnerships with Community Food Centres Canada, Foundry BC, and the Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada, where they have led programs centered on Indigenous wellness, peer support, and community engagement. Their leadership in developing programs to amplify marginalized voices, build cultural safety, and foster collaborative change will be invaluable to our Board as we work to create inclusive and supportive spaces for Indigenous students. In their new role, Raymond will create engagement strategies, design training programs, and promote cultural humility to support Indigenous students' success. With their extensive background as an advocate, educator, and community leader, Raymond is well-positioned to advance our commitment to equity, inclusion, and holistic student support.
Kurt Kerschl has enjoyed a 20 plus year career in education that has taken him all over the world. A child of immigrants from different continents, and a student of religion, anthropology, and history, he has channeled his own diversity and multiculturalism into engaged teaching and administrative roles in India, Egypt, Vietnam, Malaysia, and elsewhere. But it was particularly his years living and working with Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee (in northern Quebec) that shifted his trajectory squarely toward indigenous issues in education. He takes very seriously the responsibility of non-indigenous Canadians in the ongoing path toward reconciliation. And he hopes that his work in the Indigenous Support role on cultural safety and professional development, indigenous student and family support, and curricular evolution will be a useful contribution to that reconciliation puzzle.
Focusing on the many layers of support for Indigenous students and families, they will work collaboratively with multiple educational teams to ensure a baseline of cultural safety is realized for Indigenous peoples. One starting point is developing a robust cultural safety ladder tailored to EMSB, progressing from cultural awareness to cultural safety. This tool will allow educational professionals to assess where they stand and engage with self-guided resources such as webinars, books, movies, and podcasts to build their capacity. Additionally, they will work with schools to develop reconciliation action committees, ensuring this work extends beyond Orange Shirt Day and infuses school spaces with meaningful, ongoing initiatives. Through this multi-level and collaborative approach, Kurt and Raymond aim to ensure that the work of reconciliation and cultural inclusion is integrated into the fabric of the EMSB's educational environment, creating meaningful and lasting change.
For any kind of support or questions related to Indigenous students and families, please contact Raymond and Kurt directly at supportforindigenous@emsb.qc.ca.
