Profiles of Aboriginal Educators: Footprints for the Future
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H O M E C O M M U N I T Y Big Boy, Alberta C U LT U R A L I D E N T I T Y Cree/Métis C U R R E N T P O S I T I O N Professor of Native Studies, University of Manitoba Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 48 3/24/09 3:10:31 PM
Emma LaRocque E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G Bachelor of Arts Masters in Arts, Religious/Peace Studies Masters in Arts, Canadian History PhD Aboriginal History/Literature 49 in Big Boy Northern Alberta and had a happy childhood living amongst my family and community. I did not know that I was poor or deprived until those ideas were placed on me when I went to public school. I realize I came from a caring family and a culture that had values that were different from that of white mainstream society. In my home and community I had many fulfilling and meaningful learning experiences. Unfor- tunately, our way of life was not valued in mainstream society. Aboriginal students were often viewed from a deficit perspec- tive and measured against Eurocentric standards that were not superior to our own, but just different. It was in school that I felt much of my identity and connection to my family, community and culture was taken from me. Over the years I have worked in education to find ways to include a more truth- ful and realistic look at Aboriginal people that would help all people appreciate our presence in this country. Many of my efforts have been focused on educating people correctly about who we are as Aboriginal peoples. For example, because of my education I was able to develop a number of courses at the University level that would create opportunities for all people to learn about Aboriginal people from our own perspective and telling. I also wrote a book in 1975 called “Defeathering the Indian”, where I tell about the experiences I had as a Métis child in public schools. Emma LaRocque has been a strong voice for Aboriginal people and a forceful presence amongst Canada’s scholarly writers. She has written numerous scholarly and popular articles on images of “Indians” in the media, Canadian history, Native literature, education, racism, and violence against women. Her poetry has appeared in national and international journals and anthologies. She specializes in colonization and its impact on Native/White relations, particularly in the areas of cultural productions and representation. Since 1977, she has been a professor in the Department of Native Studies, University of Manitoba. She continues to research colonial interference and Aboriginal resistance strategies in the areas of literature, his- toriography, representation, identity, gender roles, industrial encroachment on Aboriginal (Indian and Métis) lands and re- sources, and governance. I was born in a log cabin Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 49 3/24/09 3:10:31 PM
H O M E C O M M U N I T Y Legrande, Oregon C U LT U R A L I D E N T I T Y Métis C U R R E N T P O S I T I O N Storyteller, Author, retired teacher, Deacon, past chair of the Manitoba Federation of Independent schools Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 50 3/24/09 3:10:39 PM
Never give up on a dream! Joe McLellan E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G
R O L E S / R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
what inspired me to go after the career choices I made or what experiences helped me get to where I am today, I think of a time when I was thirteen years old. My dad got me a summer job shoveling manure. After my first day of work I decided that I would get a university degree. Sometimes we need those life experiences to help us figure out what we don’t want to do for the rest of our life. I realize, too, that we all have to overcome obstacles to get to where we want to go. For example one of the things that I strug- gled with was Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome usually begins in childhood and is characterized by the presence of multiple physical motor tics- twitching or spasms that can lead to convulsion, and sometimes can include vocal – phonic tics. Although this created stress and obstacles in my life I found a way to deal with it and managed OK. Today, I enjoy teaching because it is rewarding to spend time with children and I enjoy being in an environment where I am always learning. There are many reasons why you should consider pursuing education as a career. Most importantly, it may be your gift or calling in life. Many people are teachers and sometimes you cannot deny this calling in you. We all have gifts that we need to identify and nurture in ourselves. This is what helps us define our purpose in life and helps us set and reach our goals. When I think about Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 51 3/24/09 3:10:39 PM
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