DAY 10: VANCOUVER TO SASKATOON

 MICHELLE:


We had a very early start with a hotel pick-up at 5:30am.  So with blurry eyes, we boarded our flight to Saskatoon.  At the airport Mary and Nardi chatted with some locals on their way back to Saskatoon.  Mary managed to peel an interview out of a Dr she was sitting next to on the plane.  Dr Andrew is from Chinese decent but his schooling as been in Canada.  A very intelligent man who is passionate about the work he does with people in his community.  Mary will fill you in more.  Nardi also had a good chat with a local who spoke a bit about the education system in Canada.  I didn't chat with anyone but spent the flight reading a book:-)

Once we arrived and settled in at our hotel we went for a wander.  It was very cold and a bit wet but where the hotel is situated is very pretty...river, clock tower, some very old but very clean buildings.  A few blocks over was a bit of a different story, but more dreary but no different to a regular town in Auckland like Panmure or Papatoetoe.

The people were very friendly and helpful in finding and recommending places.

Spent the evening working on the blog posts and finalising the intro-outro for the podcast.  Nardi was squirreling away on the presentation due on Friday.

MARY:

It is cold here and 3 Maori ladies are walking around. No one else is, maybe we should do as the locals do and stay inside.

When talking with local people I have learned (from their perspective) the curriculum incorporates Indigenous history, traditions, and perspectives, fostering respect and understanding from an early age. Cultural exchanges and interactions with local Indigenous communities enriched my learning experience, highlighting the significance of reconciliation and inclusivity. These lessons emphasised the importance of preserving Indigenous languages and traditions, teaching us the value of cultural diversity.

We have the privilege of attending the cultural day with the local Indigenous people of Saskatoon. Understanding the struggles and contributions of Indigenous peoples in Saskatoon deepened my appreciation for their resilience and heritage, shaping me into a more empathetic and culturally aware individual.

NARDI

Tautoko the korero

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