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 Peguis First Nation C U LT U R A L I D E N T I T Y Cree C U R R E N T P O S I T I O N Instructional Advisor, Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 52 3/24/09 3:10:46 PM
we all have obstacles to overcome in our lives to achieve our goals. Personally, I cannot recall having had any major obstacles that kept me from going to school because when I was working on my undergrad degrees I was fortunate to have the support and encouragement from my family. However, I did have to make the decision to leave my community and province to attend the university of my choice. It was a great experience and one that I have never regretted. I also had a very difficult time with mathematics, but one way I over- came this was to focus, focus, fo- cus and of course, attend regular tutoring sessions. Today, within my profession, I love the fact that although I do not teach in the classroom I am still very much involved in education. I also love the fact that I have the opportu- nity to work with adults in First Nation communities throughout Manitoba.
There are always people in our lives who inspire us. We just need to take the time to really look at the people around us to admire or appreciate the work they do. I would have to say there were many people who inspired me to be where I am now. Growing up in a First Nation community always led me to believe that we can make our lives better through education and contribute back to our communities so that our commu- nities can be better places to live. I hope to encourage more youth to pursue education as a career because we need more Aboriginal teachers in our communities, particularly teachers in mathematics and science. They will help our youth pursue careers in the areas of health and science. Our communities are in a state of healing, and we need our own people to help us heal. June Montour 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
Para-educator courses offered through the MFNERC that is accredited by the University College of the North (UCN). Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 53 3/24/09 3:10:46 PM
H O M E C O M M U N I T Y St. Claude, Manitoba 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 Teacher Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 54 3/24/09 3:10:54 PM
I always had the goal of attending university, even at a young age. There was something in me that knew that if I believed in myself I could achieve the goals I set in my life. My teachers and coaches were my role models who inspired me to pursue my goal of being a teacher. I realize that I had to make an im- portant decision to get where I am today. I really enjoyed track and field but also wanted to pursue my goal of completing uni- versity. I chose university and put all my effort into completing my studies. Today, I enjoy my work as an educator because I get to see the achievements of my students and I enjoy watch- ing them grow and excel throughout the school year. I also enjoy the school I teach in. I teach in a small community and appreciate the advantages of knowing everyone. I believe many other youth would benefit from being a teacher because education has many rewards that are more important than money. To be honest, if money is all you desire then edu- cation may not be the field for you. Education is a profession that allows you to build meaningful relationships with many people. It will leave you with many memories that enrich your own life and that allow you give back to society in a meaning- ful way. If this appeals to you then education is for you. Being an educator continually forces you to be a lifelong learner and opens your mind to new ideas and helps you learn to live life in a good way. I have experienced some successes and some failures, but the experiences I get from working with students will never be forgotten. I enjoy the opportunity I am given as a teacher to help youth understand the value of education. I also have the opportunity to coach students in many sports. My background in sports has provided me with many opportunities and it has allowed me to have many wonderful experiences, I can give back those expe- riences to the students I now coach. There are many things you can do with an Education degree. For example, it has allowed me to coach sports and experience something different other than being in the classroom. My love for coaching has allowed me to coach many different types of sports including football, basketball, soccer, and track and field. Through my Education degree, I have therefore been able to stay involved in sports my whole life. My next goal is to help mentor Aboriginal coaches. I believe that if we train our people to be better coaches we can go a long way to promote positive experiences for our youth in the future. I already see a great improvement in our Aboriginal youth in all sport areas and we need to continue taking it to the next level. I have acquired many new skills throughout my education and experience as a teacher that will help me work towards these new goals. Jim Partaker E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G Bachelor of Education, University of Manitoba If you believe you can make a difference in the life of our people than education is the field for you. Keep in mind that you will be challenged but that is part of the beauty of it. Once you overcome these obstacles you get to experience a natural high in life that comes from your own hard work and determination. Your whole life and the gift you give to others may make the difference in creating a better place for all of us. – Meeqwetch 55 From what I remember R O L E S / R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S
and technology education. I am also a coach of many sports. Ab. Education (Mar24-09)FINAL.indd 55 3/24/09 3:10:54 PM
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