Profiles of Aboriginal Educators: Footprints for the Future

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Profiles of Aboriginal Educators:

Footprints for the Future

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and objectives of the Aboriginal Education and Employment Action Plan,  

the Aboriginal Education Directorate has developed Profiles of Aboriginal  

Educators: Footprints for the Future as a resource document for communities  

and schools to use to promote education as a career choice. The booklet  

captures the personal stories of some Aboriginal educators in the province  

of Manitoba, highlighting how they entered the field of education,  

their current positions and their words of encouragement to all learners.    

The Aboriginal Education Directorate of Manitoba Education, Citizenship  

and Youth and Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy would like  

to acknowledge the valuable contribution of all the educators and Elders  

who shared their stories for the creation of Profiles of Aboriginal Educators:   

Footprints for the Future. The Aboriginal Education Directorate would  

also like to thank Rebecca Chartrand for her contribution as project  

coordinator and editor. 

As part of the goals

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Re: Profiles of Aboriginal Educators: Footprints for the Future

Dear Colleagues:

 

We are pleased to provide you with copies of the 

Profiles of Aboriginal  

Educators: Footprints for the Future

 which features Aboriginal educators working in  

various educational roles throughout the province of Manitoba. The profile book is an 

extension of the Aboriginal Educators Poster Series which highlighted educators in the 

roles of teachers, education administrators, post-secondary educators and elders.

 

 

The purpose of the profile book is to promote the field of education as a 

 

viable career choice among high school students. Students can reflect on the personal 

stories and words of encouragement provided by various Aboriginal educators working 

in Manitoba. Our appreciation is extended to all the Aboriginal role models who shared 

their inspirational stories for this valuable resource.

 

 

For further information or additional copies please contact the Aboriginal  

Education directorate at [phone], toll free 1-800-282-8069, ext. 7886, or at  

[e-mail].

 

Sincerely,

Honourable Peter Bjornson  

 

 

Honourable Diane McGifford

Enclosure

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Profiles of Aboriginal Educators:

Footprints for the Future

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Elma Arthurson 

7

Wanda Barker 

9

Nichola Batzel Tookoome 

11

Alma Orlene Bernier (Sinclair) 

13

Leigh Anne Brown 

15

Angela Louise Veronica Busch 

17

Iris Bernice Chartrand  

19

Jeff Chartrand 

21

Myrna Emma Chartrand 

23

Rebecca Chartrand 

25

David Courchene Jr.  

27

Frank Deer 

29

Laara Fitznor 

31

Marti Ford 

33

Lance Guilbault 

35

Denise K. Henning, Ph.D. 

37

Wade Houle 

39

Michel Hupé 

41

Verna Kirkness 

43

Dale Klassen 

45

Myra Laramee 

47

Emma LaRocque 

49

Joe McLellan 

51

June Montour 

53

Jim Partaker 

55

Andrea Lynn Redsky 

57

Brian Rice 

59

Garry Robson 

61

Fred Sanderson 

63

James Sinclair 

65

Sheila Spooner 

67

Dan Thomas 

69

Geraldine Whitford 

71

Jennifer Lee Jane Williams 

73

Flora Zaharia 

75

Table of Contents

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H O M E   C O M M U N I T Y 

Hollow Water First Nation, 

Manitoba

C U LT U R A L   I D E N T I T Y 

Anishinaabe

C U R R E N T   P O S I T I O N 

Reading Clinician/ Child Guidance Clinic

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E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G 

Bachelor of Education,  

Brandon University. Special education  

Certification, University of Manitoba 

Masters of Education program at the 

University of Manitoba-pending

R O L E S / R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S

 

Provide leadership in the field of reading and literacy instruction. I conduct diagnostic clinical  

assessment and program intervention for students. I consult with and support students, teachers  

and parents, and provide professional development learning opportunities for teachers and parents.

Elma Arthurson

7

and my family was extremely difficult for me. Without family  

support and encouragement I don’t think I would have made 

it. It took me three tries to leave the reserve before I finally 

stuck it out. My own son’s personal struggles with reading have 

inspired me to pursue a reading clinician certificate. Today I 

enjoy working with students and collaborating with teachers  

within  other  disciplines  at  the  clinic.  I  also  enjoy  learning 

about the diverse cultures within our school system.

I believe it is important for youth to pursue a career in educa-

tion for many reasons. For one thing, we are the fastest grow-

ing population in Canada and I believe we need a more visible 

representation of Aboriginal people in all areas of mainstream 

society.  As  educators  we  help  inform  people  about  many 

things. More specifically, as Aboriginal educators we are able 

to share our truth. This truth will help create better spaces for 

our families and our people because it recognizes the many 

contributions we have made to the development and mainte-

nance of this country. Overall, our increasing voice and pres-

ence in all aspects of society will help create better relations 

between us all in Canada.

Leaving the reserve

Hold on to what you believe  

and keep on dreaming.

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