A Conversation with Toni Boer
Join the conversation below as AJ Crocker sits down with Toni Boer to explore practical ways to incorporate Indigenous voices, stories, and learning into the classroom. You’ll be introduced to the First Peoples Principles of Learning and several ready-to-use resources designed to support thoughtful engagement with Indigenous education throughout the school year.
Conversation available by watching the video or listening to the podcast links below.
Click the image below to watch the video.
Click the buttons below to listen to the conversation.
Downloadable resources (Click Title to Download)
Lesson Plan - “The Secret Pocket”
A ready-to-use lesson plan built around Peggy Janicki’s The Secret Pocket, designed for Kindergarten through Grade 7 and adaptable for older students. Through story, discussion, and a hands-on “secret pocket” activity, students explore residential school history, personal gifts and strengths, identity, and connections between stories from the past and their own lives.
Unit Plan - “Be A Good Ancestor”
Built around Leona Prince’s Be a Good Ancestor, this flexible unit helps teachers explore the idea that our choices, relationships, and care for creation affect those around us and those who come after us. It includes connections across ELA, Social Studies, and Science, with activities related to water, land, living things, community, story, responsibility, and biblical values.
INDIGENOUS Literature - List of Additional Books and Resources
A curated starting point for teachers looking to bring more Indigenous authors, stories, perspectives, and learning resources into their classrooms. Toni has collected recommended books alongside websites, workbooks, and other resources that teachers can explore and adapt for their own students, with a reminder to read recommended books before introducing them to a class.
Guidance - First Peoples Principles of Learning
A practical introduction to the First Peoples Principles of Learning and how they can be recognized within existing classroom practice. The resource also helps Christian educators understand some of the language within the principles and gives practical examples for incorporating them into student learning, reflection, and self-assessment.
Guidance - Land Acknowledgements
A short guide to help Christian schools understand the purpose of land acknowledgements and approach them thoughtfully rather than simply repeating a standard statement. It encourages educators to learn whose traditional land they are on and to make acknowledgements personal by connecting respect for Indigenous peoples with gratitude for the land and God’s creation.
These resources were developed by Toni Boer, a teacher at Heritage Christian Online School, one of our ACSI Western Canada member schools. Based in Prince George, British Columbia, Toni also serves as a consultant to ACSI Western Canada in the area of Indigenous education, helping us develop resources and support schools as they engage these topics. Toni can be reached at toni.boer@onlineschool.ca
