Blog Post: Meet Ainsley, TEACH Placement Student

Aanii, Hello! My name is Ainsley Dunn (she/her), and I am of mixed Anishinaabe and European ancestry. I am from Saugeen First Nation, located on the beautiful Great Lakes, but I live in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough! I am excited to join TRACKS as a placement student. I am a first-year teacher candidate in the Indigenous B.Ed. at Trent University! My studies at Trent in undergrad were focused on Indigenous Education and Environmental Sciences, both very important topics to me! The wonderful opportunity of being of mixed ancestry is that I get to weave two different types of being, learning, and knowledge into my practice as a future educator. Being at Trent has inspired my love of mixing environmental and Indigenous knowledge within all ages and levels in the classroom. 

When I am not at school, you will find me engaging in hobbies like porcupine quilling, painting, sewing, and spending time with animals/family outdoors! I love connecting to my culture through crafting and learning about the land, specifically, learning about plants as teachers/medicine! Getting the opportunity to be immersed in Anishinaabe culture, learning on the land, and education are my passions! I am so excited to be mentored by incredible staff and get the opportunity to visit schools! Miigwetch