Transcript of the video Connection

This video is filmed and narrated by Crystal Umpherville, a Cree resource teacher in northern Manitoba who centres Cree understandings of disability and difference as gift and uniqueness. The film layers photos and videos of a school, a forest pathway, trees, rocks, a lake and a fire on top of each other, slowly fading in and out from one to another. Some of the photos are vertical, as if taken by a phone. The film was made in an online workshop during the early days of COVID-19.

Narration begins:

Connection is something we need. As people we develop connections with our families, friends, the land and animals. As educators we want to have a connection with our students. I have been an educator for fifteen years and for the last thirteen of those years I have walked the same path up to the same entrance of our school. Each year, I know that this path will lead me to a room full of children who I do not know much about and look forward to learning who they are and where they come from.

Around our camp, there are many paths that lead in different directions. I find a path, I begin to walk it because the only way I will see where it leads is to take it. On this path I come out to the opening of our beautiful lake. Taking the journey down a path will help you to learn. You will find things out about yourself and others. Walking a path with our students each year helps us to find out their strengths and challenges they need to overcome. I will not stop walking the path until I find what I’m looking for. Just like the door of a classroom this path is an entrance into a world of learning.

Each year, we receive a list of new students. Before they enter you are told their names, and you are told information such as if they have an IEP or behaviour challenges, or have been given any labels of ADHD or autism and so on. What I have learned, and tell myself, is that these are new students. It’s a new year, this is their new classroom and it is up to me to learn who they are. Each one comes with strengths and challenges . Each one is unique. I will enter this room with the idea of helping my students learn and prepare them for the journey of learning which is lifelong.

Standing on the shore of a lake you wonder, should I go in? What’s the temperature like? The lake is a place of beauty and calm. I won’t know how the water feels unless I get in. I know I love swimming and love the water. It may take some time getting used to the temperature, but once you do there is nothing else like it. You have to just get in and take what you know with you. We are all unique just like the trees and the rocks. Look at them, they are all different. We can identify them by colour, shape or size.

This gets me to think of labels given to children. I remember hearing that when you meet a child with autism you have met one child with autism. This is true for all children. Each one is unique and it is up to you as an educator to use what you’ve learned and to try and connect with all of your students. Whenever I see a dock I think of running and jumping into the water. The children and I have done that for many years outside my mother’s cabin. We may be scared at first, but overcome this fear to have fun and enjoy the water. This gets me to think of each school year, and how I have worried about who is coming into my classroom, and if I am prepared for them. I have to tell myself that you just have to try your best and use what you have learned over the years. You have to dive right into a new year with a new group of students. You will make this journey together and learn from one another.

Sitting by the campfire, listening to it crackle, and the excitement in my daughter and nieces voices as they roast their marshmallows for s’mores. This gets me to think of the classroom, and the sound of the children learning and this gives you a sense of pride. You want your classroom to be a place of enjoyment for your students. One where all their voices can be heard.