Bonnie Van Hatten

Topic: Empowering Matriarchs

Background:

Bonnie’s specific matrilineal ancestry is Secwepemc from St’uxwtews First Nation, located in what is now known as the Interior of BC. She has worked in Indigenous Education for the past 13 years. Bonnie holds MEd in Curriculum and Instruction at Simon Fraser University. Her research was focused on creating curriculum focused and centered on Indigenous ways of knowing. In addition, she holds an Indigenous Cultural Safety Facilitator Certificate from UBC Health.  Her work includes Indigenizing and decolonizing curriculum for government and universities. 

Heartwork:

Facilitating reconciliation dialogue with a strong emphasis on shared history, stereotypes/biases, responsible ally-ship & advocacy for direct calls to action within her company Skelep Reconciliation is the core of Bonnie’s heartwork.  She cares about creating space to share ideas and voices, embodying the resilience of Indigenous women.

Indigenous Women:

Bonnie’s matriarchal foundation is rooted in mentorship, her career, identity and culture is connected through her to the land and her family.  “My aunties, my grandmother all contributed to my own sense of self-no matter what, I know what I’m doing.”