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 Sandy Bay First Nation C U LT U R A L I D E N T I T Y Anishinaabe, Salteaux First Nation C U R R E N T P O S I T I O N Classroom Instructor in Youth T.E.R.F. (Transition, Education and Resources for Females) Program at New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I encourage First Nation youth to pursue a career in education and to learn your history. We can re-teach the truth of our First Nation history. Learn your language. Remember who you are and where you come from. Never stop learning. Don’t fear the future. To fight fear is to build courage. Wisdom comes from experience. Ask questions and seek resources to help you find confidence. Seek the wisdom of our Elders. Our own families have Elders who you can go to. Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. Never let anything or anyone tell you that you can’t do it, when you know that you can. Ask for the Creator’s protection. One very important thing that I can leave you with is the teaching that “The closest thing to the Creator is the children.” We need you to become teachers of tomorrow and teach the young people a good way to live. You, too, can leave your impressions and hopes for the future in their hearts. Miigwech, All My Relations Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 22 3/24/09 3:09:06 PM
E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education, U of W Education Centre R O L E S / R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
Myrna Emma Chartrand as an educator because I am able to develop and integrate First Nation perspectives in the curriculum, which includes the Medicine Wheel teachings, Seven Teachings and New Moon Teachings. As an educator, I am constantly learning alongside my students and with the people I work with daily. I believe in what I do and am humbled from what the participants teach me. I also enjoy the healing aspects of the program. I have had to overcome obstacles to get where I am today. For example, although I have been a single parent, these three beautiful children (Kyle, Monique and Jennifer) give me the incentive to work hard and persevere. I wanted them to see a strong and independent mother who believes education is the key to success. Poverty was also another obstacle that I had to overcome. I struggled daily to make ends meet, to put food on the table, and to provide clothes for my children. However, these were obstacles that also inspired me to want to give my children a better life. I realized it was ultimately up to me to change my situation. I decided to return back to school to complete my Mature Student Diploma and later went on to university to complete two degrees, one in the Arts and the other in Education. Alcohol, abuse, and a suicide in the family gave me other reasons to change my life because I wanted to break the cycle of abuse. These are all reasons why I wanted to become a First Nations teacher. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of our young people by encouraging them to do their best and to show them that, as a teacher, I would genuinely care and be interested in their lives. I would listen to what they had to say. So my journey to becoming a teacher began on the Red Road. My First Nation culture helped me heal, learn, and gain awareness that has inspired and motivated me to want to change my whole way of life. My mother was the first of three people who inspired me to complete school. She always demonstrated strength and resil- ience over the years. Secondly, my father showed me the value of hard work and persistence. He worked so hard his whole life and continued to sing and have hope right to the end. He always told me that I am a good mother and daughter. My seventh grade science teacher, Miss Kline, I recognize as the third inspiration in my life. She always took the time to guide me and offered encouragement when I wanted to give up going to school. I have loved science ever since. I realize that I had to make some choices in my pursuit of higher education. I had to sacrifice quality time with my children and there were times that I wanted to quit. I had to over- come self-doubt, but always looked to my children to keep me going. I was also fortunate to be part of a large family. We would always try to have large family gatherings that would bring all of us together. My Granny and Grandpa from Sandy Bay are still here with us and they are the biggest reason why we find the time for the whole family to meet. They taught us to be proud of ourselves and to work hard for what we wanted. Showing love was not just saying it, we showed it through actions. I also had to make a decision to put my social life on hold and con- centrate on my future goals. Some friends drifted away, but the ones that I hold dear were the ones that I would call whenever I got discouraged. They helped me stay focused and lent a friendly ear or shoulder to cry on when I needed it. You know who you are. I believe it is important for our First Nation youth to receive a higher education because they are our future leaders. They will be the ones that will take care of our future and lead the next generation. It is important to remember that our ancestors prayed for us and negotiated treaties to ensure that we were given the right to an education so that one day we would have a better life. It is their prayers that have brought me to the place where I am today. I can relate to our youth because I come from the same place they do and that is why it is important to give back what I have been blessed with - an education.
I enjoy my role Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 23 3/24/09 3:09:06 PM Yüklə 10,79 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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