Aboriginal Math Symposium

Photo by: Colleen Hannah (February 8, 2013)

Manifestation.  Celebration.  Fascination.  I would like to thank Dr. Cynthia Nicol for inviting me to speak at the 3rd Annual Aboriginal Math K-12 Symposium.  It was an honour to speak to a crowd of approximately 200 educators at the UBC Longhouse about math and Aboriginal education with “Math Embedded and Professional Learning.”  I would also like to thank Kerry Mahlman for bringing me to the symposium two years ago.  At that time, I left teaching in public schools and she encouraged me to speak about a project we collaborated on in 2009 during the Math 8 IRP implementation called “Math Embedded – A Tribute to Susan Point.”  This brief presentation left a lasting impression which led to my invitation to speak at this year’s symposium.  Sometimes it takes a problem to motivate someone to do something.  I did something two years ago… and here I am… celebrating.  I had fun talking about teaching, learning, and leadership.  In the end, the math symposium was an alignment of life’s circumstances.  I was reunited with Cynthia and Kerry, but also with Colleen Hannah, an opponent from the 1988 Junior Girls Curling Provincials, and Maize Longboat, a youth from Pulling Together 2011.  Each played an integral role in my pedagogical journey.  I met many other people too that day.  I like how life is unfolding.  I am truly grateful.

Check out the Aboriginal Math K-12 Blog: http://blogs.ubc.ca/aboriginalmathnetwork/