Courtney Defriend | Virtual Author Visit
Recorded Live on Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Now Available On Demand
Join us for a meaningful and engaging Orange Shirt Day event designed specifically for students in Grades 1-4. Through storytelling, interactive activities, and thoughtful discussion, this event helps learners begin their journey of understanding the importance of truth and reconciliation.
Led by Courtney Defriend, author of If Instead of a Person, students will learn about the history of residential schools in Canada and how it affected Indigenous children and their families. Courtney’s beautiful, nature-inspired story draws powerful parallels between the interconnectedness of trees and people, helping students understand how families and communities are vital to a child’s growth and well-being
About the Author
Courtney Defriend‘s family tree traces back to Coast Salish and European ancestry. She deeply values the traditional wealth of the First Peoples on Vancouver Island. Courtney’s passion for the well-being of people and communities led her to pursue degrees in Child and Youth Care, and Leadership.
In 2023 Courtney was awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal for her doctoral work, which used entirely Indigenous research methodologies. The Governor General’s Gold Medal award is one of the most prestigious academic awards in Canada, recognizing a student’s outstanding achievements.
Courtney loves to write children’s poetry with hopes to prevent hardships and inspire little people to live into their potential.
About the Book
If instead of a person, I were a tree,
How would I live differently?
If Instead of a Person imaginatively explores the wisdom to be learned from living as a tree. Using child-friendly rhyming verse, Coast Salish author Courtney Defriend ponders a tree’s steadfast connection and vital contribution to life on earth. Reinforced by Terra Mar’s powerful illustrations, If Instead of a Person invites readers to become change agents that respect the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.
Event Information
what to expect
- Welcome
- Featured Story Reading
- Author's Presentation
- BRAIN BREAK
- Q&A with the Author
- Wrap Up
The Importance of Orange Shirt Day: Honoring Indigenous children who attended residential schools and remembering the impact of these schools on Indigenous communities.
- Understanding Connection: How trees, like people, thrive through connection to their roots, families, and communities.
- Empathy & Respect: Why it's important to listen, learn, and respect the stories and experiences of others.
- Being the Change: Simple steps young students can take toward kindness, sharing, and making positive changes in their own lives and communities.
Questions?
Hi, I’m Hayley! I am the Lead Educator here at Joyful Learning and the host of this event. If you have any questions about this event (or anything else) feel free to contact me. I’m here to help!
Tickets by Donation
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All rates give you access to the Livestream and Event Recording for one month. Purchase one ticket per class or family. Please select a rate that is possible for you. To learn more about our Equitable Pricing Model, click here.
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