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
Teaching, guiding youth through First Nation practices and traditions including smudging ceremonies, sharing circles,
medicine picking and facilitating and teaching students the Kapaapako Miikiwap (The Butterfly Lodge Teachings). I also
teach Math, English, Computer, and Family Studies. I help students to learn empathy through the Roots of Empathy
Program. My most important role is teaching in the TERF program where I offer females who have been exploited a
chance to learn about their culture which gives them a strong foundation to gain basic social and academic skills.
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.
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I enjoy my role
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