By Karen Birchenall, Teacher Leader, Sutherland Secondary School

On September 18 and 19, 2025, Sutherland Secondary staff came together at Cheakamus Centre for a retreat filled with learning, connection, and community. Building on last year's professional development with Talaysay Tours, where Sutherland staff explored the land Sutherland Secondary is built on, this year's retreat continued a journey of truth, healing and reconciliation in meaningful ways.

The retreat began Thursday evening around a campfire (propane, due to the fire ban) where staff gathered to share legends, songs, dances and laughter. On Friday, learning deepened through a storytelling workshop, Indigenous games, walking the land, and a session on science and sustainability that explored the salmon life cycle through the lens of Two-Eyed Seeing—bringing together Indigenous and western ways of knowing.

In Walking the Land, staff learned about The Beetle Project, connecting environmental stewardship to local ecosystems. To conclude the day, staff came together in play, learning and laughing through Indigenous games that ignited the joy of community.

The retreat was a powerful opportunity for staff reconnect with one another, learn from the land, and carry forward the work of reconciliation and sustainability in the school community. Throughout the retreat, there was a strong sense of community building, with staff enjoying the chance to learn more about each other, especially during shared meals. These moments of connection added a rich, personal dimension to the professional learning experience.

The retreat closed in a circle where everyone shared how this professional development would impact their teaching. It was clear that each person was leaving ready to make a change and bring this learning back into their classrooms.