STEPHANIE AYLESWORTH, Communications Specialist, DDSB
UXBRIDGE: The Durham District School Board (DDSB) recognizes Indigenous Peoples have the right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations, which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information.
As part of this commitment, the DDSB was honoured to welcome the critically acclaimed Indigenous author David A. Robertson to our schools on November 2nd and 3rd, 2022.
David A. Robertson is a name most households have come to know. Robertson is an author and graphic novelist based out of Winnipeg. He is a multi-talented writer of Swampy Cree heritage and has published over 28 books across a variety of genres. Robertson is the winner of the 2021 Freedom to Read Award.
Robertson used the power of storytelling to connect with students at Quaker Village Public School, Uxbridge Public School, and Glengrove Public School, sharing the joy of reading, speaking about his journey, and highlighting the importance of Indigenous books within schools and society.
While visiting the schools, Robertson had the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with many fortunate students and even sat down to breakfast with a few. Robertson said, "the best part of speaking with schools is getting to know the students on a personal level." Mr. Robertson often uses his own children as inspiration for his stories and uses today's youth as his motivation. He explained to students when he was growing up, there were no books he could identify with; he's looking to change this for today's youth.
Thank you, David A. Robertson, for sharing your beautiful and inspiring stories with the youth of DDSB!