b'NATIONAL GATHERINGBy Chyana Marie SageNATIONAL GATHERING 2025 RECAP Legacy Builders in MotionA s Winnipeg was gearingPurpose filled the air, along withDr. Winston Wuttunee, whose up for winter, the morningthe smell of bacon and pastriesdrum and voice filled the space frost creeping uponas 200 students settled in, eagerwith good medicine. His blessing windows in the dim morningto step into their future rolesprepared the way for Dr. Niigaan light, over a thousand educators,as educators. Angela Sterritt,Sinclair, writer, editor, professor, Elders, students, and alliesaward-winning journalist andand activist, whose Climbing the gathered within the pillars ofbestselling author, guided theMountain session reminded educa-the RBC Convention Centre formorning as Master of Ceremonies.tors that Indigenous knowledge Indspires National Gathering forStudents were grounded byis not an add-on but a founda-Indigenous Education. Ribbonteachings from keynote speakerstion. His voice echoed a central skirts, Coast Salish cedar hats, furs,Dr. David Robinson and Dr. Patriciatruth of the National Gathering: and beaded earrings appearedMakokis, then uplifted throughwhen Indigenous knowledge is between pantsuits and blazers asa wellness break led by Indspireembedded in classrooms, students a collective energy quietly built:Youth Laureate Shayla Stonechild.of all backgrounds gain a deeper the shared belief that teachersAlready, the room was brimmingunderstanding of identity, relation-are legacy builders, shaping thewith meaning: new teachersship, land, and truth. young minds who will become thestepping into their responsibility as leaders of tomorrow.carriers of knowledge, connection,As the winter sun slipped behind and care.the horizon, attendees walked DAY ONE: PLANTINGup to the Canadian Museum for SEEDS OF PURPOSEAcross the hall in the main venue,Human Rights for the Guiding The three-day gathering beganMichaella Montana opened thethe Journey: Indigenous Educator in the York Ballroom with theevent as Master of CeremoniesAwards. Mike DeGagn, Indspires Future Educators Pre-Gathering.in Hall A, welcoming ElderPresident and CEO, honoured this 14indspiration2025'