Education advisory boards formed

Page 5

Five Native Advisory Committees have been established in Slave Lake, Kinuso, Faust, Joussard and High Prairie as part of the High Prairie School Division's Native Education Project.

Representatives of each of the committees shared their goals for the coming year.

"I haven't done this before, its new to me," says Marilyn McRee. "But I was so concerned about Native kids that I took the position."

The main focus of the Slave Lake committee will be dropouts, according to McRee, and the first step will be to encourage Native students to be more aware of themselves, their culture and to be proud.

McRee feels it is important to arrange for Native role models to visit the schools to show both Native and non-Native students that "it is possible for Natives to make something of themselves."

"Careers seem so far out of reach to many Native kids," says McRee.

"Self-confidence and self-respect have to be instilled in Native kids," says Cindy Cook, Faust representative. "Our goal will be to keep them interested in education and in their culture."

Cook added that the ratio of dropouts is quite high in the Faust school because it only teaches up to Grade 6 and the students have difficulty fitting in when they transfer to a new school for their junior and senior high years.

Promoting a better understanding of Native culture, and the cooperative efforts of parents, teachers and the committee will improve the attendance and achievement of the students, Cook feels.

"We are hoping to strengthen the communication between Native and non-Native students," says Marilyn Willier of Joussard, "and create an understanding of what Natives are all about."

Willier feels it's vital that additional resource material be made available to students ? not just "the white man's version of history."

Visits to a buffalo keeper, medicine man, tribal chief, and the band administration of the Sucker Creek reserve are also on the agenda.

Darlene Nadeau, Kinuso representative, says "We have to get rid of the stereotyping (of Natives) and help the students to gain self-esteem."

This, according to Nadeau will be the main goal of the Kinuso committee.

Nadeau encourages parents to become involved in the program to find out "What exactly are your kids learning?" and feels confident of positive results throughout the year.

High Prairie representative, Rosemary Willier says, "Some of the goals that we have are to increase the understanding and appreciation of Native culture. To help improve achievement in school and to create a cross-cultural program for both Native and non-Native students.

She feels that the first step to "bridge the gap between Native and white students."

The proposed budget of the High Prairie School Division for the Native Education Project totals $220,000.

This includes salaries and benefits for the liaison workers, cultural activities and field trips, supplies and materials, tutors, and travel for all of the five centres. Administration and division coordination costs are also included.

The budget for each community is: High Prairie (three schools), $62,390; Joussard, $15,700; Faust, $15,700; Kinuso, $25,600; Slave Lake (three schools), $66,290.

(Courtesy of The MIRROR ? Northern Report)