Parents club urges involvement

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Aboriginal parents must overcome their fear of school and take an active part in their children's education, according to experts at the inaugural First Nations Parents Club conference, which took place May 24 and 25 in Vancouver.

Approximately 130 parent delegates from parents clubs across the province attended a wide variety of workshops and exchanged everything from parenting and advocacy tips to nutritious recipes during the two-day event, organized by the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) and the First Nations Schools Association (FNSA).

Keynote speaker Keith Pattinson, who recently retired as the director of the Boys and Girls Club, kicked off the conference with a simple yet crucial message: action speaks louder than words.

"Twenty per cent of what children learn comes from what we tell them; the other 80 per cent comes from observing adult behavior," said Pattinson, who has spent 40 years working with children, youth and their families.

When parents demonstrate a high emphasis on education, it rubs off on both the children and their teachers, according to John Chenoweth, district principal for the First Nations programs in School District 58 (Nicola-Similkameen).

"When a child starts school, it is important for the parent to meet the teacher to show that they value their child's education," said Chenoweth, who sat on the advocacy panel at the conference.

Chenoweth added that the child is often stuck between the teacher and the parents, who simply aren't communicating enough. "Sometimes when parents approach the school, there's very much a stand-offish atmosphere, almost like a fear of school on the parents' part."

This fear is deep-rooted in the history of colonization and the residential school system, said Aboriginal youth counsellor David Rattray.

Rattray said the usual ways of involving parents in the school system don't necessarily work well with Aboriginal parents.

"The school system expects Aboriginal parents to just show up and participate, but many of the parents had a negative experience in school so they are afraid of it.

"When we look at the impact of the education on Aboriginal people and its effect on generations down the line, we are slotted with a negative emotional experience, something we can't describe, so it becomes fear," said Rattray.

That fear also translates into distrust towards the teachers. "Parents often cross their arms when [the educators] say they care for the kids . . . they have this scepticism," Rattray added.

However, for the sake of the children, parents must overcome that fear. "Hold a potluck and invite teachers into your community," Rattray suggests. "Show them you're interested in working with them. Invite them to cultural activities."

Such simple gestures can have far-reaching results. "The most profound impact is that parents become role models for their children," added Chenoweth. "The parents' active participation shows the child what they will do to help with their education. One day they will do the same with their own children."

Finally, Chenoweth encouraged Aboriginal parents to have high expectations of both the school system and their children.

"We have found that children are very resilient and capable. If you expect great things from your child, great things will happen."

Established early in the spring of 2001, the First Nations Parents Club invites First Nations communities to organize locally based clubs and to register with FNSA to receive mail-outs. There are currently 105 registered parents clubs, which represent approximately 800 parents in British Columbia.

"There was an ongoing need to give recognition and positive feedback to First Nations parents regarding the dedication and caring that they show their children," said Christa Williams, executive director of FNESC. "The conference was a great opportunity to celebrate parents' successes and provide them additional parenting tools."