School of Native Studies host open house

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Education is big business and an important element to the structure of any given society, be it Native or non-Native.

When you're in a business designed to attract clientele, one of the key strategies used to promote and sell one's goods or services is to resort to good public relations and that's exactly what the new School of Native Studies at the University of Alberta did on November 14 when it held an open house.

At least 150 or more people must have toured the new facility at 11036 - 89 Avenue in Edmonton, which is a house that used to supply office space to another university department in the past. The premises are still undergoing some renovations,

but Richard Price, director of the school, doesn't expect the school to be located there forever.

While the building only accommodates three staff members at present, that situation will change and the school will require more space in future. For now, the staff are content with what they have and although the facility is located just outside the main campus grounds, it is quite easy to find and parking does not pose any hardship, explained Price.

Initially, he had hoped the school might acquire space on campus, particularly in Athabasca Hall where Native Student services is but that was quickly ruled out in that only one office was available and that would have been far too inadequate.

The school which just opened its doors this fall is out to let the world know of its existence. As Price explained, "we want to put the School of Native Studies on the map for people on campus, in the city and in rural communities."

The open house served a few other functions as well.. One was that "it started a process of networking to people in the communities," said Price, who was very pleased with the response to their social and the tremendous interest shown by the public. Visitors included a good cross-section from the community - interested individuals, government people, faculty members, some politicians, representatives of Native groups and other educational institutions, etc.

"People got together and made connections with university people," Price commented. "I felt good, too, because people from the Indian Association and Local 1885 began a dialogue on such matters as curriculum and so forth." Price said that a number of contacts will be followed up on.

The open house did in fact provide the opportunity for feedback on ideas and concerns people have regarding the school's role and operation. It also enabled the school to provide at least some information on their present and projected calendar (of courses offered).

An additional function of the open house was to celebrate and thank those who had helped (the school) in the past, Price remarked. It took many people a lot of time and effort for the school to become a reality. That process began more than 10 years ago and, finally, it has come full circle.

While courses offerings are minimal at present, the school looks forward with much anticipation to the future. An advanced Cree language course is being considered as are a Slavey language course and one on Aboriginal rights. These, says Price, will likely go ahead in the fall of '87.

Other interests for long range goals include courses on Native history, Native local control with input from the Law Faculty that could address such legal issues as economic development in Native communities, Native policy, Native curriculum development, and maybe something through the Business Faculty on community needs.

The long range goals of the school, however, are a matter of time and when they might commence will be determined by "what resources we have to go with," Price said. "We can only do as much as time and resources will allow us to," he added, including that they "want to do a quality job."

Price would also like to look at what other Native study programs are doing and how those might provide examples of things that the school should or should not do in order t make the school in Edmonton a successful and constructive force for the good of the community.

"We need to move forward a bit on a number of fronts but that will take a while

to develop," Price informed Windspeaker. "One of my jobs will be to fund raise so those things can be accommodated," he continued.

As with any program, money is always a very crucial factor and because Price is saddled with the task of seeking ongoing and additional funding for the School of Native Studies, his burden is all the greater.

At present, Price instructs Native Studies 201. The other two staff members are Emily Hunter and Jane Martin. Hunter instructs Native Studies in Cree language at the 101 and 201 levels while Martin attends to recptionist-secretarial duties at the school.

A poster will be available shortly and "sent out to all Native communities and organizations in Alberta, the Yukon and NWT so they'll have an idea about the school," says Price who adds that, "we try to reach out in a concrete way."

"I'm quite excited about the future and anxious to establish links with the Native community for input as to what they perceive as the (educational) needs," Price concluded.

The school invites anyone from the public, business, education, or government sectors to contact the school on issues or concerns. It can be contacted at the address given in this article or by phoning their office at 432-2991.