Angeline Day reflects on working with newcomers-2022 Canada Summer Job Student

Angeline Day joined us this summer as the Community Programmer(Canada Summer Job) supporting Family, Seniors, Settlement, Food Security and Waacus Salee Programs at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House.

Besides working with Frogs in the Park programming, she was our main facilitator for “Connecting with Indigenous Peoples & Culture“, a 6-part workshop series introducing Indigenous history and culture to our newcomers in the Frog Hollow community.  Let’s hear what Angeline says about her experience working with newcomers this summer:

My experience with facilitating the 6-part series of Indigenous history and cultural workshops with newcomers has been a rewarding feeling. I’ve been the main facilitator in educating newcomers on foundational information they should know about Indigenous Peoples in Canada and how colonization has impacted their way of life, culture, language, and health. Seeing them absorb the information and relay it back in closing is a great feeling. These types of workshops create a better understanding of the Indigenous Peoples of this land and the past and present issues which are still negatively impacting our people today. Through questions, discussion circles and cultural exchange with the newcomers’ program has been an eye-opening experience for both me and participants, where cultural commonalities with Indigenous peoples and newcomers have been found- this was exciting! As well, the newcomers have gained a much better positive understanding of Indigenous peoples and their experiences they continue to face.

It is important to continue educating the public to create more allies to help stand with and support Indigenous peoples with the many challenges and injustices they face.

I am honored to have had the opportunity to do this work.

Hopefully these types of workshops can continue into the future on a regular basis by Indigenous facilitators, so we as a community are continuing this good work that is much needed.

Question: In what ways do you think this type of workshop could help immigrants/newcomers in Canada?

From these workshops will help immigrants and newcomers become supporters and allies for Indigenous peoples which we need more of. I think this workshop could help immigrants and newcomers by giving them valuable information which many of them do not know or heard of. A lot of the newcomers knew nothing about colonization, Indigenous peoples or their historical hardships they have faced.

There was mention of some incorrect stereotypes about Indigenous peoples which need to be corrected and they were shocked when they found out it was untrue.

Many people are not aware of the history of colonization and the results of it including displacement from land and food and how that was a major impact on our communities. As well, the various injustices which happened and continue to happen to Indigenous peoples today. This workshop will equip newcomers with basic knowledge that is not taught anywhere else, coming directly from an Indigenous person and in a setting which allows for asking questions and cultural teachings/exchange.

Question: Do you think this type of workshop could benefit Indigenous communities in any way?

By educating the public on the history of colonization in Canada and Indigenous history and culture, will benefit the Indigenous communities by breaking negative stereotypes of Indigenous peoples and giving the public a better understanding of who the Indigenous peoples are and the experiences they have faced. A clearer and positive awareness is created, leaving them wanting to learn more and curious about how to support Indigenous peoples.

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