Strengthening Literacy and Leadership

In August, school teams and literacy leads gathered in Tiohtià:ke (Montréal, Québec) for the Leadership in Teaching and Training (LITT) Gathering. For three days, educators came together to learn from one another and prepare for the school year ahead. 

The gathering opened with Elder Ka’nahsohon Kevin Deer, whose teachings set the tone for the days that followed. Elder Deer reminded us that children need to feel valued, to know they are precious, and to see adults model what it means to be lifelong learners. Those words carried through the whole event, with presenters and educators returning to his message again and again and reflecting on how it guided their own work with students.  

What has made LITT meaningful through the years is the way that it brings people together. The event in Tiohtià:ke gathered teams that included principals, vice principals, directors, and literacy leads, and participating educators worked closely with MFI’s Model Schools Literacy Project (MSLP) coaching team. They explored new approaches to using data, shared experiences about supporting classroom teachers, and built trust with one another. The time together was described as both practical and inspiring but also deeply personal; participants opened up about their challenges and offered encouragement to each other in return, building solidarity between them.  

The relationships forged in those moments became the foundation for deeper learning as educators and school leaders attended sessions focused on different aspects of leadership and literacy. Some introduced new tools, like screening assessments that support teachers in planning instruction for small groups; others explored how technology might ease administrative burdens on educators while also protecting Indigenous languages and stories. There were conversations about guiding school teams, about creating positive environments for staff and students, and about how trust can shape learning. Each session connected back to the larger goal of supporting First Nations children in ways that are meaningful and lasting. 

Just as important, though, was what happened outside the sessions. The LITT Gathering wasn’t only about formal learning; it was also about relationships. Teams mingled throughout the event, shared ideas about school attendance and literacy planning, and continued their conversations over meals and evening outings. Many spoke about how rare it is to have time like this and how important it was to connect with others who share the same goals. 

The event concluded with participants enjoying time for reflection and celebration. Knowledge Keeper and educator Katey Wattam led participants in an on-the-land session that encouraged them to slow down, connect with nature, and think about how place shapes teaching. She reminded the group that the land is not only a space where learning happens but also a teacher in its own right. Following this grounding activity, participants returned indoors to further discuss ways to bring land-based approaches to literacy into the classroom. The Pow Wow Rangers then closed the gathering with songs and ceremony to honour both learning that had taken place and the relationships that had grown over the three days.  

Participants returned home with new tools for literacy but also something harder to measure: encouragement, friendships, and a stronger sense of purpose. For many, being together with others was the most meaningful part of all. In this way, MFI’s gatherings are more than professional development opportunities. They’re places where professionals come together to share stories, teachings and experiences, and they return to their communities with renewed commitment to their work in community. Elder Deer’s words continue to guide that work, reminding us that, when children feel valued, they are better able to flourish.

Read more about our LITT Gathering in Tiohtià:ke, Québec here:

→ Day 1
→ Day 2 (Morning)
→ Day 2 (Afternoon)
→ Day 3