The Journey to the Berry Patch

Welcome! You have taken an important step in deciding to take this journey to the berry patch to explore what you can do to support First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students and survivors of sexualized violence at your post-secondary institution. This video series draws on the work of Dr. Natalie Clark, using the analogy of the berry patch as an ecosystem to support First Nations, Métis, and Inuit survivors of sexualized violence.

As we embark on this journey to the berry patch, we must first ensure we are prepared. This includes having an understanding of the history and impact of colonization on Indigenous Peoples in Canada and thinking deeply about our own personal and professional relationship with Indigenous communities and the First Nations on whose land we work and live. We also need to consider what berries — services and supports — are available at our institutions and communities and how we must listen to the voices of survivors of sexualized violence to learn how best to support them.

Completing this section will help you consider how best to build an ecosystem of support for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students at your post-secondary institution.

After each video, the reflection questions and suggested readings are to guide you to reflect on what you’ve learned. You can write your answers on paper or in a digital journal. You can also respond to the questions through drawings, poems, photos, or any way that works best for you to deepen your learning and expand your perspectives.