Łoomsk, the Ts’msyen tradition of respect, can be used as a framework to support social-emotional learning, anti-bullying, and restorative justice in middle schools. Integrating Indigenous perspectives and approaches into school systems can advance reconciliation and ensure that our schools respect and honour the territories in which they are centred. I loved thinking about how łoomsk could be incorporated into the ways we approach and honour our students, at a school level. I think that designing our schools around the Indigenous traditions local to the schools would be transformational, and would ensure that students learn to respect Indigenous perspectives, land, themselves, and one another. I would like to work further on this idea, and explore putting a łoomsk framework into practice, in collaboration with our Indigenous Support Workers and elders, at my school.
References
Dickens, M. (2024). Personal interview. Terrace, BC.
Health Council of Canada. (2012). Empathy, dignity, and respect: Creating cultural safety for Aboriginal people in urban health care. https://learningcircle.ubc.ca/files/2014/05/Empathy-dignity-and-respect-Creating-cultural-safety-for-Aboriginal-people-in-urban-health-care.pdf
Jefferson County Public Schools. (2018). Behavior support systems model: Restorative practices implementation guide. https://www.iirp.edu/images/2024/K12_Resources/Final_JCPS_Implementation_Guide2.pdf
Leighton-Stephens, D. (2022). Adaawgm Ts’msyen Int Suwilaay’magm: Teachings from our Ts’msyen narratives. Doctoral dissertation. Simon Fraser University. https://aashley.weebly.com/uploads/4/3/8/2/4382474/debbie_leighton_stephens_thesis_on_tsmsyen_ways_of_being_includes_information_on_adaawx_protocols_feasting.pdf
Nyce, L. (2020). Personal communications.
Spalding, S. (2020). Cultural competency for teachers. UNBC Education Program.