As many of us are currently feeling from recent events, our hearts and minds are wounded and hurting.  It is hard to wrap our heads around the fact that such atrocities as George Floyd’s death are still happening.

Over the past few weeks we have been writing blog posts highlighting our TNNS guiding principles, and the subject of our next post was intended to be on community:

• we believe in building community; we strive to create deep and meaningful connections with families, other Terra Nova user groups, and our municipality

Our thoughts on community and what it means to live in and with community are inescapably braided together with issues of social justice.  It is impossible to separate the two, and so, just yesterday, we wrote an additional TNNS guiding principle:

• we recognize that historical and social injustices exist in our Canadian context, and endeavour to build equity in our community through education and ally-ship

Photo by Barry Weaver-a representation of his understanding of community

Each child and family has a place in our gathering circle. Again: Each child and family has a place in our gathering circle. Again: EACH CHILD AND FAMILY HAS A PLACE IN OUR GATHERING CIRCLE.  Earlier this week the two of us had a conversation about working committees, and we were noting how important it is to not only consider who is in a group, but also who is heard in a group?

In keeping with the educational philosophy of Reggio Emilia, and holding high the Image of the Child, we believe everyone, including children, has rights and a voice that needs to be heard. What is happening around us, just over the border, is not new, nor is it something that is only happening ‘over there’. While Canada is a beautiful country with many blessings, it is also a country, like the United States and so many countries worldwide, that have systematically marginalized Black people, Indigenous people and other communities. Our work in healing and reconciliation is just beginning, and we have a long way to go.  We need everyone’s voices – children’s included – to stand tall and fight for a more equitable world.

We cannot undo what happened last week to George Floyd; the pain of this injustice will live on but we can honour him and his family by creating a better world for all, no matter where you live.

Come with us, hand in hand,  in community and with community, together with our children to work to dismantle systems of injustice.

Thoughtfully,

Emily & Kate