Grand Erie Staff Deepen Learning at Local Sites Centred on Truth and Reconciliation

Monday, Mar 23, 2026

Staff take part in a guided tour of the H.M. Royal Chapel of the Mohawks

Staff take part in a guided tour of the H.M. Royal Chapel of the Mohawks

This winter, and continuing into the spring, hundreds of Grand Erie staff members are taking part in professional learning focused on reflection, connection, and deepening an understanding of Truth and Reconciliation.

"Learning opportunities are all around us, and the relationships we establish locally increase our commitment to reconciliation," said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education. "It is the importance of histories, context, experiences, and stories that builds our understanding and shared responsibility to learners, the land, and the communities we serve in Grand Erie."

Participants are visiting local Brantford sites including the Woodland Cultural Centre, dedicated to preserving, promoting, and strengthening Indigenous language, culture, art, and history. Woodland Cultural Centre is situated on the grounds of the former Mohawk Institute Residential School, a historic site now serving as a museum providing tours documenting the 140-year history of the residential school. This immersive learning shares survivor stories and historical perspectives, connecting to contemporary contexts of Southern Ontario’s First Nations peoples.

"Every person in Canada should learn this history because it is our shared history," said Stacy Hill, Principal Leader of Indigenous Education in Grand Erie. "For educators, having a foundational understanding — and their own experiences with these truths — is essential to effectively adding Indigenous perspectives to the curriculum."

The experience offers staff meaningful opportunities to learn about the lasting impacts of the residential school system while strengthening their commitment to creating inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive learning environments for students across Grand Erie.

Staff members have also visited another local historic site, the H.M. Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, where facilitator Barry Hill guides participants through centuries of regional and Indigenous history.

“A visit to H.M. Royal Chapel of the Mohawks takes participants on a journey through 900 years of history,” said Barry Hill. “From the formation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the origins of the Two Row Wampum Agreement to the enduring alliance of the Six Nations to the British Crown, Grand Erie teachers learn about the development of Canadian First Nations policy, the founding of Brantford, and contemporary issues forming the basis of active truth and reconciliation efforts in Canada.”

Barry Hill added that the tour helps provide educators with a deeper context of the shared community in which they live and teach.

By engaging directly with local history and Indigenous perspectives, staff continue to build understanding that supports a Grand Erie where every learner and staff member feels seen, valued and connected. The professional learning opportunities continue, with final sessions taking place over the coming three months. 

     

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