b'EDUCATIONBuilding Equity IN EDUCATIONJo Chrona on changing the education system for Indigenous learnersBy Nikita DayJo Chrona is Ganhada of Waap Koom of the Kitsumkalumhere, a lot of folks have come to First Nation, a Tsmsyen community in British Columbia.an understanding that we need to Her first book, Wayi Wah! Indigenous Pedagogies: An Act forsee the system changed to meet the needs of Indigenous learners. Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Education, explores avenues forAs opposed to five and 10 years shaping more equitable education systems and encouragesago, the conversation was about readers to challenge their own assumptions. With over 25 yearshow Indigenous learners needed of professional teaching experience in K-12 and post-secondary,to change to meet the needs of the education system. Thats one Jo has supported the transformation of B.C.s school system inreally significant shift. The other a variety of roles, striving to create an inclusive, strength-based[conversation] is more [about] under-education experience for all learners. standing that everybody needs to be involved in anti-racism work, and doing that as professional learning will impact the decisions that they make in schools and classrooms to What prompted you to gettion field would say, Jo, would youhelp learners. into education? be interested in doing this? Every It was not my intention originally. Idtime I said yes, it created an oppor- What are your proudest been planning for a number of yearstunity for me to learn somethingaccomplishments?to go into law. I loved books, I lovednew, and then more opportunitiesProfessionally, its the relationships text, and so I decided I was going tocame along. I got to work with someIve made with people who are go into teaching for a little while andamazing people. I moved from thedoing amazing work in our system, get my certification. And even whileclassroom into doing work as awhether its classroom work or I was doing that work to becomefaculty associate with the teacherin-school work or at a provincial certified as a teacher, I thought Ideducation program and working withlevel. Personally, Im in the process probably leave the profession prettythe First Nations Education Steeringof writing a couple of other books quickly. That was over 25 years ago,Committee (FNESC), and then duringright now, and one of them is a more so things turned out a little differ- that time working a little bit with thepersonal book where Im talking ently than expected. Ministry of Education with the curric- about mental health. It is also ulum, and resources with FNESC. surviving a life of chronic depression How did you transition intoand still being able to do this work in curriculum development andHave you seen Indigenouswhat I find [to be] a meaningful way.resource writing? education evolve in schools over the last decade? What do you hope readers I feel like where I am right now, fromIt has significantly. The conversa- take away from your book?where I started out, is the resulttions that we are having right nowWhat I really hope readers take away of saying yes to people when theywere unheard of 10 years ago, evenis the understanding that every presented unique opportunities.five years ago. Especially where wesingle one of us has a role to play in People that I respected in the educa- are in this education jurisdictionmaking this a better country. Every 18 INDIGENOUS INNOVATORS, ICONS & INFLUENCERS |ISSUE 1, 2023'