The students invited me to their Steak Night during my visit to the university yesterday. This was a relaxed opportunity for me to gain some insight into their own school experiences. I asked why they had selected the SUNTEP course and many stated that they had actually met interns (teachers on internships as part of their final university practicum of 3 months) and those interns has inspired them to apply to do the course. Many of the students I met were from Saskatoon or only a short distance from the city. Many went to school where little to know Aboriginal cultural knowledge was shared in the classroom, but education was valued by their parents and they wanted to be at school.
They explained to me that in areas of high poverty in the city many Aboriginal students receive before and after school care at their schools and are fed at school. For them school is a safe place and they want to be there.
One student, later in the night and having been asked about this conference, was discussing the fact that she had been at a recruitment conference earlier in the day, where different school divisions were attempting to attract recent graduates. When they became aware that there were SUNTEP and ITEP graduates present they began stating that they had "150 First Nation Students"etc, but were not able to identify whether they had First Nation, Cree or Metis students and this was very offensive to SUNTEP graduates. They were then stating that they had recently taking on a Metis consultant, but were not able to identify her cultural background or her name. This was also viewed as offensive. I found this perspective very interesting, it does demonstrate what appears to be a lack of cultural knowledge and understanding within the education boards, which could perhaps stem from the dated educational backgrounds of the people running the boards? I think without the education I have received this week from being immersed in this culture I would not have understood what was offensive because of my own ignorance.
I was given a Metis Sash, these are specific to different family groups. Different families will have different colours and different weaves. They can be worn or used. A student explained to me yesterday that men took them when they went hunting and would place a knot everyday that they were away to help them to keep track of how long they had been out for. I will treasure it, it is a beautiful gift.
The students were also telling me tonight about traditional beading and weaving classes and groups that they have as social groups at the university.
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