January’s Pita Pit Teacher of the Month is ‘proud’ of passing Indigenous roots onto next generation

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The first 2026 Pita Pit Teacher of the Month in Fort St. John is always lending a helping hand in showing First Nations students some of their cultural roots.

Desirae Bedell was nominated for her work as an Indigenous student support worker in the Energetic Learning Campus (ELC).

A member of Beaver First Nation in Northern Alberta, Bedell has worked at ELC for two years.

Her nomination says “she has been an incredible support and guide in helping students reconnect with Indigenous culture,” adding Bedell “creates a welcoming and respectful space where culture, identity and history are honoured and celebrated.”

Having been in Fort St. John for 23 years, Bedell told Energeticcity.ca connecting with her First Nations culture has been important ever since childhood.

“I’ve always been proud to be Indigenous,” said Bedell. “When I went to school in elementary school, it was an Indigenous school. We had Cree language, Indigenous dancing, Metis jigging, and lots of things. I was pretty lucky to have some cultural connection.”

Bedell has always had an interest in Indigenous arts and crafts and food. As part of her work with the students, she has led beading workshops and even an Indigenous-themed Lunch Club where she and her students served Indigenous tacos.

“We made some fried bread [bannock] and then just topped it with taco toppings,” said Bedell.

She has also assisted in helping kids connect with events such as the Indigenous Northern Health career fair, and also helping some willing students learn the Cree language in conjunction with instructors at Bert Bowes Middle School.

Bedell says when you “build a connection with kids, they are more likely to come to you for help.”

“We really want to support the Indigenous students, and get them to graduate, or get them to look at what they want to do in their future,” said Bedell. “Maybe it’s a trade, maybe it’s university. There are lots of options.”

Find out more about the Indigenous education program within School District 60 in Energeticcity.ca’s conversation with Pat Jansen, the principal of the program.

Congratulations to Desirae Bedell, January’s Pita Pit Teacher of the Month.

The monthly event is part of Moose Media and Pita Pit Canada’s mission to honour teachers in the community. 

Each month, the winner receives up to a $100 gift card and is highlighted in an article on Energeticcity.ca.

Anyone looking to nominate a teacher who deserves recognition can do so here.