Principles and Key Understandings
Defining a Nation Builder
The responsibility for defining what and who a Nation Builder is, lies with each individual nation. Nation Builders exhibit characteristics, skills and values that are important to the Nation to which they belong. It is also important that each nation can define what success means to them.
Through a process of inquiry-based learning, each student is given the opportunity to define themselves as nation builders. The Hon. Senator Murray Sinclair was Chair for the Residential School Truth and Reconciliation Commission and has stated, “Education is the key to walking on this journey of reconciliation.” (June 19, 2016)
He also said, “Teachers in particular have a sacred responsibility to ensure that all their children, regardless of their heritage, are able to think about four key questions throughout their education:
‘Where do I come from?’
‘Where am I going?’
‘Why am I here?’, and most importantly,
‘Who am I?’” (et al, 2016)
Treaty Education Alliance believes that education is the key to developing an understanding of one’s identity and also what it means to be a Nation Builder.
Asking our Elders
Starting in 2009 and becoming an on-going process, Elders from Treaty Education Alliance nations were consulted through Nation Builder forums and events. When asked to describe the characteristics of a Nation Builder, here is what they came up with:
Developed in Partnership with
