For Bailey Johnson, a Métis educator from Penticton, becoming a teacher was more than just a career choice it was a personal mission rooted in her own experiences.
Growing up in the public school system, she saw firsthand the absence of Indigenous education and felt the impact of that gap. Motivated by the desire to make learning more inclusive and culturally meaningful, Johnson pursued her passion for teaching through UBC's Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP).
"It's very important to have Indigenous leaders and representatives in the education system," she said, reflecting on the vital role of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into classrooms across Canada.