The newly launched “Hello, Kwey: Let’s Talk Education” podcast aims to create a platform where Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices from across Quebec can share knowledge, experiences, and innovative approaches to education.
In the inaugural episode, hosts Stacy Allen and Daphna Leibovici introduce themselves and discuss the idea that sparked the creation of this podcast. Stacy, who works as a Provincial RÉCIT Consultant for Anglophone School Boards at LEARN, explains that the podcast emerged from a recognized need to highlight the exceptional work being done to support the Calls to Action for Education in Quebec’s educational landscape. Her colleague Chris Colley, producer of the successful ShiftEd podcast, approached her with the idea after noticing that despite numerous educators doing remarkable work in this area, there wasn’t a dedicated platform to showcase these efforts. This observation became the catalyst for creating Hello Kwey, explicitly designed to amplify these important educational initiatives and foster greater connection between communities.
Both hosts share their personal journeys into truth and reconciliation work, offering listeners insight into the diverse pathways that lead educators to this field. Stacy, who grew up in rural Nova Scotia as a non-Indigenous person, candidly admits that her education lacked substantial content about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It wasn’t until she began working at Kativik Ilisarniliriniq School Board in Nunavik that she started to build relationships and question the gaps in her own education. This experience sparked her commitment to supporting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in learning about Indigenous histories and cultures.
Daphna’s journey follows a different but equally enlightening path. Growing up in a multicultural neighbourhood in Montreal, she also had limited exposure to Indigenous cultures. Her entry point came through her work in visual arts and encounters with Indigenous artists, which opened her eyes to the realities faced by First Nations and Inuit communities. Now, in her role at RÉCIT Provincial Service for First Nations and Inuit in Quebec, she supports teachers and consultants working in Indigenous education— work she describes as deeply meaningful and a source of pride.
The hosts emphasize the importance of personal reflection for all educators, encouraging listeners to consider what histories and biases they bring into their classrooms and professional spaces. This self-awareness forms a crucial foundation for meaningful educational transformation. Looking ahead, Stacy articulates that their hope is for listeners to learn more about the “incredible work happening around us” and the “powerful perspectives of educators across the province” to collectively improve education for all youth in Quebec and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in tangible, impactful ways.
