NORTEP-NORPAC NEWS 2011

NORTEP–NORPAC Newsletter Fall 2011

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A NORTEP-NORPAC and SIDRU joint publication Faculty of Education

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If one were to ask what is unique about studying and learning at NORTEP-NORPAC, I would say it is the unique context and the incredible scenery of northern Sas-katchewan.

Students are able to experience the landscape in all of its facets. It is healthy to live up here. We have fresh air, lakes, rivers, rapids, water-falls, sandy beaches, muskeg, and pristine boreal forest that turns all shades and colors in the fall. It is peaceful. You can think. It is the best place for developing minds. Our students do not have to leave the north to get a univer-sity education. They are able to experience, feel, breathe, smell, and see the changing seasons. There is so much to do and so many possibilities.

NORTEP-NORPAC has a 35-year history in northern Saskatchewan. Our delivery model is tailored to meet northern communities and schools. We offer a Teacher Education Pro-gram as well as Arts and Science courses from both the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan. We also deliver graduate programs in education. We provide multiple supports for our students including financial sponsorship and residences. A unique aspect of our organization is the mandate to incor-porate northern community and cultural relevance in our classes. Our faculty members

Dr. Herman Michell

are encouraged to work closely with Elders and community resource people. Changing demographics in the province make it neces-sary for students have basic knowledge of the northern social, historical, economic, and political realities of Aboriginal people who live in this region.

Academic rigor is balanced with humanistic concerns. We provide a lot of one-on-one as-sistance for our students. We set high expec-tations. Punctuality is enforced, because this is something that is critical to the everyday world of work. The learning is intense as you are in school all day long 5 days a week. We have two reading breaks once per semester. We want our students to learn the very best that modern education has to offer and at the same time honour and embrace their cultural roots and the communities from which they originate.

We value diversity at NORTEP-NORPAC. We believe all students are unique; each of them have their own set of gifts and responsibili-ties. In northern Saskatchewan, the land is the teacher regardless of cultural background. We set aside our differences to help one another. In the Cree language, we use the terms Wichi-towin and Sitoskatowin to remind us that sur-vival is based on developing strong kinship relationships with “all of our relatives” includ-ing our student peers. I believe a new era has arrived where we need to share our collec-tive wisdom and knowledge across multiple worlds and boundaries.

Welcome to all the new students. It is excit-ing to see new faces full of energy and com-mitment. You add richness to our NORTEP-

Executive Director’s Message

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NORPAC family. You bring an essence of community within you already and you have life experiences that may help others. Share these stories with your peers and instructors. Converse and engage in academic conversa-tions. Your perspectives are important just as much as you will learn from the perspectives of other students and instructors. Keep an open mind. Listen to what others have to say. Use these teachings as you think about solu-tions. Challenge your own thinking. Replace what needs to be replaced. That is how we develop and transform. Reward your self for milestones achieved.

On behalf of the Board, Executive, Faculty, and staff we wish you well and good luck in your studies this year. A university education can be a challenging experience but it is well worth the effort. Go the extra mile. Whatever you put into your university education is what you get out of it. Write papers that will help you further down the road. Being a university student is serious business. You are expected to do a lot of independent work. You are be-ing taught to fly on your own. Many doors will open once you graduate. Enjoy your time with us. Get involved in student activities. Let us know how our Faculty can best support your academic journey.

Acknowledgements are in order for Dr. Mi-chael Tymchak and Shuana Niessen, SIDRU, Faculty of Education, University of Regina for publishing our newsletter once again. We appreciate your assistance in our collective ef-forts to communicate and showcase what we do at NORTEP-NORPAC and most especially the kind of activities that take place within our courses. This newsletter represents a

celebration of who we are as faculty, staff, and students. Enjoy what we have to share.

Many thanks to all of our stakeholder partners and government funders; we could not offer what we offer our students today without your continued support. NORTEP-NORPAC has an incredible respect for our northern school divisions and most especially the cooperating teachers who mentor our TEP students during their intern placements. Thanks for investing in northern education; and thanks for invest-ing in our youth. I strongly believe that by working together, we will address the current gaps in education that hinder northerners from fully participating in the Canadian econ-omy. Many advancements have been made; however, much remains to be done. NORTEP-NORPAC is always looking for partnership possibilities. We encourage you to contact our office in La Ronge at (306) 425-4416.

NORTEP-NORPAC remains committed to offer-ing post-secondary programs so that north-erners can train, live, and work in the north. Many of our graduates are working in schools and assuming leadership positions in commu-nities. Our success story continues to unfold as a new generation of students enters our classrooms. What will they become? Where will they end up? What will they contribute back to their communities and, indeed, within the country as a result of the knowledge and skills they learned at NORTEP-NORPAC?

Herman Michell

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Program News

Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature With Young Children Ages 3-7

Growing Up WILD is a new, multi-disciplinary, early education program in the Project WILD family that builds on Pre-K to Grade Two children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of inter-active activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for devel-oping positive impressions about nature, in-terdependence and sustainability through the core subjects of language arts, science, math, health, social studies, art, music and physical education. The program provides outdoor as well as indoor activities and a community service learning action component along with home and parent connecting activities. The program is so new to Canada that NORTEP is the second location in Canada to have access to it. It is our partnership with the Saskatch-ewan Environmental and Outdoor Education Association that has made access to this pro-gram possible. The elementary language arts students in Deborah Gibson-Dingwall’s class have found the program readily supports the Ministry of Education learning outcomes and indicators within Northern Saskatchewan cur-riculum needs.

Submitted by Deborah Gibson-Dingwall

Growing Up WILD EPS 215 students with instructors, Deborah Gibson-Dingwall and Darcey Hubka

Oh Deer (Oh Moose)! Music and Movement

Deer (Moose) Art

Making deer sandwiches



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Project Wild: The Thicket Game of Predator and Prey Relationships

Learning how to teach about sustainable habitat and moose populations

Learning about habitat

Deer (Moose) art

Learning about habitat




Project Wild: The Thicket Game of Predator and Prey Relationships

The 2011-2012 pre-interns received complimentary Special Subject Council Memberships and T-shirts from

the Kewetin Nene Reading Councilcontinued on page 6

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Math and Science Report

There is a great demand for people who have a university background in sciences in northern Saskatchewan. The mining indus-try, forestry, conservation, environment, and other resource extraction activities occurring in the North require people who are trained in a variety of pure and applied sciences. The health industry also requires northern doctors, nurses, dentists, and a variety of health specialists all of which require a sci-ence background. There is a need to focus on mathematics preparedness because it is the gateway subject in this area. NORTEP-NORPAC is prepared to work with other organizations in increasing post-secondary science options in northern Saskatchewan.

Cultivating an interest in sciences begins very early in life and is reinforced within the family, pre-school, and elementary levels. Bonding with the natural world begins by taking chil-dren out on the land and northern lakes and allowing their natural curiosities to unfold. Young people are captured by the way in which adults think about and treat the earth. We encourage our faculty members and pre-service teachers at NORTEP to be role models around sustainable ways of living and being. There is an increasing trend towards careers in the environment. What an opportune time to tap into the ancient knowledge base of the northern Cree, Dene, and Métis people on respectful ways of relating to each other and with the land. Because Aboriginal languages are integral part of Aboriginal cultures, they are also a key aspect of science education.There are so many possibilities around bridg-ing Western science and Indigenous ways of knowing in northern Saskatchewan. It is man-

datory in the province for all teachers to incor-porate Aboriginal content in all subject areas including science. This is, however, a shared responsibility. Elders and community resource people play a key role in bringing northern relevance to science teaching and learning. We want all of our pre-service teachers to be motivators of science by using the northern context as a springboard for practice. We also want them trained in state-of-the-art facilities. NORTEP-NORPAC has lobbied both Govern-ment and Industry for the past 5 years for a shared facility with science laboratories. An in-vestment has yet to be made and a legacy left behind for our future scientists from northern Saskatchewan.

While many improvements have been made in northern education, there is a great need for high school science teachers of Aboriginal ancestry. Some research suggests the end of junior high is a time when young people begin to lose interest in sciences. Aboriginal youth need exposure to a variety of role mod-els, science motivators, “shakers,” “movers,” and science enthusiasts who come from the same heritage.

A key way to support the K-12 system is to enhance professional development work-shops for science teachers as well as initiate university-bridging programs and summer science camps with a focus on preparing students for university science and health related programs. Finally, northern employers from the resource and health sectors play a key role in supporting youth in their transition from school to work. Students need summer, evening, and weekend employment oppor-tunities so they can put their knowledge and skills to practice.

Submitted by Herman Michell

Program News

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Fall has been a very busy time for students in their field experience placements. The pre-internship seminar (September 2nd) as well as the internship seminar (September 15th and 16th) were held in La Ronge. It was great to see former cooperating teachers as well as meet the new ones. Students, cooperating teach-ers, and faculty advisors had fun getting to know each other through ice breakers, small group sessions and luncheons. A NORTEP alumni panel shared stories of their journey in becoming a teacher. They spoke of challenges they have encountered and also discussed solutions to overcome the challenges.

Faculty advisors have also been busy with travel. We have 15 interns in La Ronge, Stanley Mission, and Sucker River as well as one in the Red Wing School (Prince Albert area). Nine-teen TEP and 3 pre-interns have completed 3 of the 5 field experience weeks that are required in the fall semester. Seven students

traveled to their home communities—includ-ing Sandy Bay, Turnor Lake, Ile-a-la–Cross, Dil-lon, Southend, and Cumberland House—for their field experience. Three TEP students are in La Ronge schools.

Many of our cooperating teachers are NORTEP graduates and are familiar with field expecta-tions. In fact, one NORTEP alumni is teaching in the Cree immersion program at Bell’s Point School in La Ronge where one of the interns is placed. Many students are fortunate to have had experiences such as moose hunting, ca-noe trips, berry picking, workshops on Smart Boards, innovative math programs, Youth Haven camp excursions, cultural camps and Adult Ed classes.

We look forward to seeing the interns and hearing their stories in January when they resume winter semester classes.

Submitted by Darcey Hubka

NORTEP Field Report

Internship Seminar 2011

Internship role playGuy Penney and interns performing a role play on the types of intern relationships that can take place

Internship 2011- cooperating teachers and internsGuy Penney and Robin Moore presenting on the roles and expectations of faculty members, cooperating

teachers, and interns

continued on page 8

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Internship Seminar 2011—supper barbeque NORTEP intern , Erin Daigneault, acting as an orphan

Internship Seminar 2011—hard at work Internship Seminar 2011—having a whale of a time

Guy Penney and interns performing a role play on the types of intern relationships that can take place

Guy Penney and interns performing a role play on the types of intern relationships that can take place

Deborah Gibson-Dingwall, fairy godmother, with Guy Penney acting as cooperating teacher and Sarah

McLaughlin as intern, acting like an aideDeborah Gibson-Dingwall, our very own fairy god-

mother—She can fix all internship problems

Internship Seminar 2011— having a good laugh Darcey Hubka and Deborah Gibson-Dingwall at Legion Hall for Internship Seminar

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Earl Cook is the Language and Culture Coordinator for NORTEP-NORPAC.

1. Can you provide a brief history of your involvement with NORTEP/NORPAC and how you became interested in language and culture.

My official involvement with NORTEP-NORPAC began in the spring of 1981, when I was interviewed for a faculty position. I started working with the NORTEP-NORPAC team that fall. The team was lead by Dr. Michael Tymchak. Other faculty members involved were Linda Goulet, Dave Friesen and Elaine Inkster.

In the fall of 1984, I enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Saskatchewan. After completing the program I returned in the spring of 1985. Shortly after, Mike decided to work in the South and I became the director of the program. I served in this position until the fall of 1988. After being involved with the program for seven years, I left and was fortunate to serve as the Indian and Metis Education consultant with the Northern Lights School Division.

In the fall of 2009, I taught an Indigenous Studies course to first year students. I began my present position as Culture & Languages Coordinator at the beginning of September, this fall.

Previous to working with the program, I was aware of its existence and reputation as I had met Mike on campus while I was taking my B.Ed. My friends Keith and Linda Goulet had also invited me to attend graduation festivities on a couple of occasions, where I helped out in the preparations. So, my involvement with the program goes back some thirty plus years!

In terms of my interest in culture and language, I was hired by what was then the Métis Society of Saskatchewan as a community development officer in December of 1972, in Cumberland House. I was 21 years old at the time. My work took me to La Ronge for a few months and then on to Regina. As I became immersed in Métis issues from the local, regional, provincial, and national levels, I was exposed to educational issues, which included culture and language. In my previous involvement with Nortep, I also taught Cree courses.

2. Describe your role as the Language and Culture Coordinator.

In a nut shell, my I view my duties as falling into three main areas:• Culture, where I will develop an Elders

program, a cultural manual that involves protocols, Aboriginal resource directory and other materials,

• Professional Development for students, staff, faculty, and professionals in partner organizations, and

An Interview With Earl Cook

continued on page 10

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• Languages, where I develop plans for promotion and retention.

3. What impact do you feel language and culture programming will make for students and the NORTEP-NORPAC post-secondary programs?

I would hope that students become aware of the various aspects related to northern culture and language, and that they are advocates once they complete their studies.

4. How will you attempt to involve Elders from northern Saskatchewan?

I must develop a plan which will structure the utilization of their expertise in our institution here in La Ronge and in the outlying communities.

5. What do you envision for the Language and Culture Coordinator role for the first year and the next five years?

This important role will evolve over time. Initially, there are things that can be accomplished in the short term. Other things will take longer to establish.

In the first year a lot of research must occur and plans and strategies developed around this. These strategies will then be implemented as time goes on.

Eventually a lot of things will be integrated into the program and the position would become less of development and more into teaching.Over time, hopefully, funding would improve and this initiative would become part of the annual budget.

Submitted by Ray Smith

Graduate Class of 2011

Grad Class 2011

Priscilla Bear receives her diploma

Gail Clarke offers a prayer

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This year, NORTEP-NORPAC is offering first year Arts and Science courses to pre-nursing students. Northern students have the option of taking their first year of studies at NORTEP-NORPAC before continuing on to the University of Saskatchewan to complete their nursing degrees. April ChiefCalf (NORTEP-NORPAC faculty) interviewed two pre-nursing program students to learn more about their experiences in this program and to give them an opportunity to discuss their career goals.

Originally from Grandmother’s Bay, Aaron McKenzie has brought her whole family to La Ronge while she attends school. She is married with four children, ages 16, 14, 11, and 5. Her

mother has also come to live with Aaron and lend her support. Prior to moving to La Ronge, Aaron took on-line courses through the Education Centre while working at the Grandmother’s Bay Health Centre as a parent support worker and dental aide. She was inspired to become a dental therapist but the school of dental therapy in Prince Albert closed. Instead she attended the Health Careers Access Program at Northlands College where her shadowing experience inspired her to go into nursing instead. Aaron chose to attend the pre-nursing courses at NORTEP-NORPAC because she

prefers the face-to-face classroom instruction as opposed to televised and on-line courses. She also appreciates the structure of the program and the support provided by the staff and faculty at NORTEP-NORPAC.

Aaron’s career goal is to work as a nurse in the north with Aboriginal people. She would like to explore other northern communities and meet new people. She hopes to pursue her master’s degree after gaining some work experience in the field of nursing.

Aaron has obtained two scholarships through the Northern Spirits and Nitha programs. She enjoys the NORTEP-NORPAC atmosphere, courses and the many new people she is meeting. When she feels challenged by her course work, she motivates herself to do her best and get it done!

Denise McKenzie is from Stanley Mission and commutes daily to attend her pre-nursing courses at NORTEP-NORPAC. She is a single parent of two children, ages

9 and 3. Denise has a great deal of family support; parents and siblings help her with her children and make it possible for Denise to attend school. As a child, Denise spent a much of her time on the trap line with her parents and older sister. There were no boys

Two Students in the Pre-Professional Nursing Program


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Denise’s goal is to finish the nursing program and work in the North as a nurse. She wants to help First Nations people who need access to health care but are unable to go south. Denise would like to set up and provide pre-natal programs in northern communities.

Denise appreciates the structure provided in the NORTEP-NORPAC program. The way the courses are scheduled in blocks with a reading week helps keep her on top of her assignments. The schedule also keeps her motivated to have good attendance because, as she points out, missing one day can cause a student to fall far behind in the course work.

NORTEP-NORPAC wishes the pre-nursing students the best of luck in their studies and looks forward to seeing them in future health care positions in our communities throughout Northern Saskatchewan.

Submitted by April ChiefCalf

in her family so she had to help her dad with the work involved in the trapping lifestyle. She did not attend school or learn to speak English until Grade 2. Denise is still a fluent Cree language speaker.

Two years ago, Denise attended the Health Careers Access Program at Northlands College where she was inspired to go into the health field. Denise was hoping to attend the Nursing Entrance Program (NEPS) in Prince Albert but when her father became ill last year she decided to take a year of studies in the NORPAC program, which is closer to home. This year she is able to take the pre- nursing program courses through NORTEP-NORPAC but will have to go to Northlands or Saskatoon to finish her program next year. However, she admits she is reluctant to leave the comfortable atmosphere of NORTEP-NORPAC.

NORTEP-NORPAC pre-nursing students, Oct 18, 2011

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months at a time in the spring. She found it very difficult to go from the freedom of the trap line to sitting in a classroom. She also remembers that school and society frowned upon the traditional trap line lifestyle—it was not seen as a form of education. Flora felt so out of place that she did not complete high school. She did, however, attend Northlands College as an adult where she completed her Grade 12 and decided to pursue university.Flora admits that if it were not for NORTEP-NORPAC, university would probably not have been an option for her. She did take one summer class in the city at the end of her degree and found it a shock to be away from her family. At NORTEP-NORPAC, she was close to home and had the support of her family and friends. She also appreciated the opportunity to study in her northern environment, among people who spoke the same language and had common experiences.

Soon after graduating from NORTEP, Flora was offered a position as one of the first teachers in the new Cree immersion program at Belle’s Point Elementary School. In this program, teachers have the same group of students from Kindergarten to Grade 4, requiring teachers to be continually creating new materials for each new grade level. This has been a challenging task but Flora says “I believe in my language.” Ironically, most of Flora’s students did not speak a word of Cree when they started the program.

Today, Flora recognizes that her time at NORTEP-NORPAC helped her to bring together the traditional knowledge of her parents with other world views. At NORTEP-

Where are they now? We thought it would be interesting to follow up on two of our graduates to see how their NORTEP-NORPAC experiences and education are influencing their current career paths. April ChiefCalf, NORTEP-NORPAC faculty, followed up on two of NORTEP-NORPAC’s graduates.

Here are their inspiring stories.

Flora Ratte graduated with a Bachelor of Education from NORTEP in 2008. In her educational life she has come full circle. Originally from La Ronge, Flora now lives in

Air Ronge and teaches in the Cree Immersion program at Belle’s Point Elementary School (Lac La Ronge Indian Band). Drawing upon the traditional teachings from her childhood, Flora is now able to share her Cree and Métis knowledge with her students in a contemporary school environment.

As a child, Flora spent a great deal of time on the trap line with her parents and siblings. Throughout her childhood she learned traditional teachings about the environment, the roles of men and women, and the fur trade way of life. During this time of her life, formal education was not a priority. When she started school at age 9, Flora did not speak English and only attended school for 3

Following Up: Two Graduates of the NORTEP-NORPAC Program


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airline. Inspired by the family business, Blaine obtained his glider’s license at 16, his private pilot’s license at 17, and his commercial pilot’s license at 19. Although he also lived in Buffalo Narrows and Wollaston Lake, Blaine spent his formative years in La Ronge and considers La Ronge his home town. He graduated from Churchill Community High School in 2003 and immediately entered NORTEP-NORPAC

Blaine chose to attend NORTEP-NORPAC for several reasons. He was not ready to leave La Ronge after graduating high school, preferring to remain close to his family and continue to participate in his local biathlon and cadet activities. Blaine praises his experience at NORTEP-NORPAC, pointing out that the class structure helped him with time management; he was able to be successful in his studies while also serving as president on the student association, working part-time, flying and participating in cadets. He also appreciates the extra supports that are given to students and the hands-on approach to learning. Blaine has a fond memory of being able to study rock formations in geology class by literally stepping out NORPAC’S back door into the Pre-Cambrian Shield.

After graduating from NORPAC, Blaine started law school in the fall of 2006, at the University of Saskatchewan. He graduated with his law degree in 2009. After articling in Prince Albert, he passed the bar in 2010 and became a lawyer at the young age of 24. He currently works for legal aid in Meadow Lake in the area of criminal defence. Blaine is also the commanding officer for cadets in Meadow Lake.

NORPAC she met many people with different experiences and points of view which helped her to see various perspectives. At the same time, Flora came to see the value in her trap line education. Prior to NORTEP-NORPAC, Flora felt looked down upon for her traditional upbringing, but during her formal studies Flora realized the years on the trap line were “not a waste of time.” In her current role as a Cree Immersion teacher, she is bringing the two perspectives of formal schooling and traditional knowledge together. She credits NORTEP-NORPAC with helping her find herself and feel powerful.

When I (April ChiefCalf ) first met Blaine Beaven at NORTEP-NORPAC in the fall of 2003, I was impressed by this remarkable Métis youth. At 18, he

already had a pilot’s license, was a biathlon athlete, and he had aspirations of becoming a lawyer. Since graduating in 2006 from NORTEP-NORPAC with his arts degree in Native Studies, he has continued on his journey to fulfill his goal.

Blaine Robert Beaven was born in Fort Nelson, BC. He moved to Northern Saskatchewan as a young child, where his mother and step father, originally from Northern Saskatchewan, operated a commercial continued on page 15

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Student Profiles

for Blaine on his career path to practicing law.

Graduates from NORTEP-NORPAC gain employment in various professions in Northern Saskatchewan. Through their studies at NORTEP-NORPAC, they obtain valuable skills and qualifications that help them to not only get jobs but also to make significant contributions to the North. While we keep statistics on our graduates, we don’t always have the chance to learn from a personal point of view what they are doing and how they are applying their NORTEP-NORPAC experiences to their new careers.

Thanks Flora and Blaine for sharing!Submitted by April ChiefCalf

When I asked Blaine how NORTEP-NORPAC has shaped who he is now, he was quick to answer. While attending NORTEP-NORPAC, Blaine met people from all over Northern Saskatchewan and truly had the opportunity to get to know his classmates and instructors, unlike when attending university in the city atmosphere. Learning how to get to know people, to listen, and to understand their stories, has proved an invaluable skill in his current profession. Blaine wishes more people from the North would see NORTEP-NORPAC as a good option. Many young people are eager to leave their home communities to study in the city, but to be able to learn while living in his home community turned out to be the best decision

field. She feels that she is doing a good job of adapting to the challenges of being a full-time student once again. After graduation, Julianne hopes to work with special needs students as well as pre-school students. In addition, Julianne looks forward to playing a role in preserving her language and culture in her home community.

Felicia Maurer is a first year NORPAC student from the northern community of Dillon. Felicia has also lived in the communities of Beauval and Stanley Mission. Felicia decided to attend NORPAC

Julianne Custer is a first year NORTEP student from the northern community of Pelican Narrows. Prior to enrolling at NORTEP, Julianne was a pre-school teacher as well as a teacher assistant.

These endeavours are what led Julianne to NORTEP. She is no stranger to the school setting and looks forward to returning to it someday in the new role of teacher. Julianne says that she chose NORTEP because she was at a point in her life where she needed a change. She believes that NORTEP has given her that change, while at the same time allowing her to remain in the education


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community is Fond du Lac, but he has lived in Uranium City, Prince Albert and Yellowknife as well. Before becoming part of the NORTEP-NORPAC community Allan was employed by the CBC. In addition, Allan has his own business enterprise in the area of professional translations services. He chose to attend and teach at NORTEP-NORPAC because he wanted to come back to the North. He believes that teaching and being a student at the same time is a wonderful combination. Upon graduation, Allan intends to continue with his education at the graduate level. He plans to earn a master’s degree as well as a doctorate. Allan loves to share his love of learning with others. This past summer he took classes in South Korea. He believes that opportunities such as these are excellent avenues for establishing good relationships. Allan’s advice for students is to “strive for excellence.”

because she wanted to remain in school while deciding what specific career path to take. She felt that NORPAC would give her a solid educational foundation for whatever career path she takes. She believes that eventually she will apply to become a Conservation Officer. Felicia points out that her experiences, thus far in the NORPAC program, have been very positive, but she asserts that things are very different from high school. She goes on to state that all the hard work will pay off!

Allan Adam is both a student and an instructor at NORTEP-NORPAC. He believes this gives him a unique perspective that allows him to see things from both sides. Allan’s home

• Obtain a graduate degree in your community

• Participate in a cohort with your local edu-cational needs in mind

• Gain access to high quality, relevant professional development.

This program will have a combination of three streams: Aboriginal Languages, Inclusive Education, and Math & Sciences Teaching.

Deadline to register is February 15th. There are time sensitive documents that need to be submitted prior to the deadline date. For more information contact the NORTEP-NORPAC office: (306) 425-4411

Community-Based Master’s ProgramApplications are now being accepted for the new Community-Based Masters Program, commencing this summer 2012. Classes will be held in La Ronge.

The Community-Based Master of Education Program has been designed to provide a unique cohort model of graduate education to educators in off-campus loca tions which more effectively links theory to local educational issues and practice.

The University of Regina’s Community-Based Master of Education, in partnership with NORTEP-NORPAC, allows you to:

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In Memoriam

an inspiring man, inspiring to everyone that crossed his path. He will always be remembered for his love of nature and the outdoors. We at NORTEP-NORPAC acknowledge his loving family for sharing his life with us. Thank you to his wife Tina (nee Miller) Roberts and his children Ty and Jade. In his memory they have put together a $500 attendance award because this was always a concern for Jimmy- “If you are not in school. you cannot learn.” This award goes to a member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band Grade 12 graduate with the best attendance. This year Jeremy Charles won the award.

Jimmy is missed and his memory will be kept in our hearts forever.

Jimmy Leon Roberts. Born on April 1st, 1968 in Lac La Ronge and passed away on October 15th, 2010 at Bittern Lake, SK.

Jimmy was a NORTEP alumnus and obtained his Bachelor of Education degree in June of 1997. Jimmy was teaching at Churchill High school in La Ronge when unfortunate circumstances took him away. Staff members at Churchill High School recall him as an inspiring teacher who showed that his first priority was the well-being of his students. He was always willing to help out in any circumstance and was very open to any innovative planning ideas. Jimmy was the Northern Lifestyles teacher and took his students to Bittern Lake several times as well as out on various other outdoor excursions. He also revived Cultural Days which the school has named in his honour. A hockey game (students versus teachers) which is held on the last day before the Christmas break is also named in his honour.

We at NORTEP-NORPAC remember him as a positive role model who involved himself in both student related and professional activities. We came to know him as a

Jimmy Roberts at his cabin Jimmy marking papers

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In Memoriam

When Claude began his studies at NORTEP-NORPAC in 2003, he had only recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Claude was a very unique individual who was an inspiration to his fellow students. We knew he had many challenges in his life; in addition to physical health issues, he also battled with memories of his traumatic experiences while serving in the army. Through it all, Claude had a positive attitude and helped many of his classmates face their own personal problems. We remember his sense of humour, his cartoon skills, his collection of rare military artifacts and his impressions of Johnny Cash and Sean Connery. Claude left NORTEP-NORPAC to seek medical treatment in Saskatoon and subsequently moved to a care home in Nipawin. We were deeply saddened at NORTEP-NORPAC to hear of his passing.

Claude Rene Goulet passed away on April 23, 2011 at the age of 39 years.

As a child Claude was raised by his grandparents on a farm in the Cumberland

House area. He was a proud Métis and was also a member of the Wahpeton First Nation. As a young man he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather and joined the Canadian army. He served in the humanitarian mission in Somalia in 1993 and was an active participant in veterans’ issues when he returned home.

April Chiefcalf, resident cook at NORTEP-NORPAC during the 2011 Internship Seminar

Elenor Hegland is now teaching the Cree 104 class—they picked medicinal herbs

this fall. (l-r) Alma Goulet, Elenor Hegland, Connie McLeod, Kristy Mirasty, Lena McLeod

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Dean’s Honour Roll

The following students have received either the Dean’s Honour roll for outstanding achievement for the academic year 2010-2011 from both/either the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina. NORTEP-NORPAC staff and board members congratulate all students that have maintained a high academic average and to continue to strive for the best. You make NORTEP-NORPAC proud!

Our congratulations go to Alden Epp, Leona McLeod, Janna Varga, Stacey Ward, Gail Clarke, Bronwyn Cowan, Taryn Ward, Marlee Durocher, Dakota deCaux, and Danielle Welter.

Note: Our sincere apologies if there are any other students we may have missed. Please talk with Tammy or Linda at the registrar’s office to indicate what award you have received and we will include in the next newsletter.

Champions of Children Award

One of our own NORTEP-NORPAC faculty, Deborah Gibson-Dingwall, received the Champions of Childrenaward on March 2011, awarded by the

Saskatoon Preschool foundation. This award goes to individuals in the community that have made a difference in the life of a child. We congratulate Deborah and are very proud of her continuing work at involving children in the community with literacy opportunities. As well, her exemplary role in teaching future teachers creates a ripple effect, therefore, enriching the literacy levels of all students in our northern area.

Awards

The pre-professional NORTEP-NORPAC nursing students were invited to attend a greeting from the U of S president at Northlands College with all other pre-professional nursing students from all the northern locations offering this first year. President Peter Mackinnon offered a warm and welcoming speech to all students and invited them to visit the university.

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NORTEP-NORPAC Phone: (306) 425-4411 1328 La Ronge Ave., Box 5000 Fax: (306) 425-3580 La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0 Website: http://nortep-norpac.webs.com

Editorial Team:NORTEP-NORPAC: Herman Michell, Laura Burnouf (Managing Editor), Ray Smith, April ChiefCalf, and Guy Penney. Contributors: Deborah Gibson-Dingwall and Darcey HubkaUniversity of Regina: Michael Tymchak and Shuana Niessen (Layout and Graphic Design)

A joint SIDRU/NORTEP-NORPAC publication, December 2011

Special RecognitionSubmitted to International Advances in Education: Global Initiatives for Equity & Social Justice. Volume 5 – Indigenous Peoples. Sydney Australia. Accepted for publication. Also accepted in the Canadian Journal of Native Studies (Fall 2012).

Working with Elders and Indigenous knowledge systems in Places of Higher Learning. A book proposal submitted to JC Publishers. Published in December 2011.

Bridging Cultures: Indigenous and Scientific Ways of Knowing Nature. A book published by Pearson Education Canada which Glen Aikenhead and Herman Michell co-authored.

Congratulations to Dr. Herman Michell, NORTEP-NORPAC director, who has had the following books and articles published. We are very proud of the work you are doing in the area of Indigenous knowledge systems and science:

Cree Ways of Knowing: Incorporating Nîhîthawâtîsîwin in School Science from the Foundation of Cree Communities: A Reader for Educators. Pending publication.

School Science from the Eyes of the Woodlands Cree: Using the Migawap and Traditional Values as a Guide to Plot Fundamental Key Concepts and Ideas.

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Documents

NORTEP-NORPAC NEWS 2011