By Terra Indigena staff
Peguis Feb 8, 2024 - Members of Peguis council, School Board and UCN held an official launch of the University College of the North (UCN) Kenanow Bachelor of Education teacher training program in Peguis today at the Council chambers. The program offering is a collaboration between Peguis School Board and the University College of the North (UCN) based in The Pas.
“It’s all done in the spirit of collaboration for education and helping First Nations move forward toward local control of education,” said School superintendent, Cindy Spence. “It’s part of the movement toward self-government and being able to operate our own systems in our jurisdiction.”
UCN president and Chancellor Doug Lauvstad said a community-based approach is an important model that enables community and family supports for students that is invaluable. “And to hear 42 students, that’s kind of a record,” he said, referring to the number of students registered.
There was much excitement in the classroom to kick off the new teacher training program at the start up orientation held January 29th. UCN staff joined by Zoom and the guests included: Chief Stan Bird, PSB Executive Director, Shawna Spence, and Superintendent, Cindy Spence. The United Rainbow Singers opened and closed the event with honour songs for the new teacher candidates entering training.
The students were excited to be entering on this leg of the journey toward becoming teachers; with teacher shortages looming across Canada Peguis hopes to train a new workforce to help fill the positions at Peguis Central school and the surrounding region.
Most of the students have jobs working at the school as Educational Assistants (EA’s) or other positions. They will be taking their classes during evenings.
The Kenanow program approaches teacher education through land-based pedagogy, helping to develop teachers who can bring Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing into the classroom, according to the UCN website.
UCN’s Kenanow Bachelor of Education program provides a northern-based and Indigenous-focused teacher education program that fully satisfies the teacher certification requirements as established by the Government of Manitoba. The program collaborates among students, Elders, university faculty, local educators and community members. UCN has been offering teacher education for more than 15 years, and during that time has focused on delivering the programming in communities throughout the north.
“With increasing retirement rates among teachers in the north, a community-based, Indigenous-focused teacher education program is more important than ever,” said Lauvstad. “UCN is responding to this important need by working in partnership with First Nation education authorities and sponsors to offer more programming in more communities than we ever have.”
Shannon Williams of Peguis is one of the new students. She has been at PCS for two months. “I worked at odd jobs and wanted to do better for myself and my children,” she said. “I’d like to be a nursery teacher because I love working with them.”
Emma Bear has been working as an EA since January 4th.
“When I started working here, I fell in love with the kids and the bond that I have with all the kids.” Her experience inspired her to register for the course.
Sadie McCorrister is a grade 2 EA. She said: “I grew a bond with each of the students that I worked with. I became that big sister figure and they treat me like I’ve always been here.”
Lyndon Stevenson has been working for 7 years as the IT assistant at the school. His wife is a teacher at the school, and his mother was also a teacher. They influenced his decision to join the training program. He said he hoped to teach computers, phys ed and early years upon completion of his training.
Peguis School Board chair, Carl Bird said: “I’m really excited and happy about this program. I like that it’s about the culture, land base and identity. That’s so important.” Bird said he’s working closely with Edwin McCorrister, the PFN community based coordinator on the program, including making minor renovations to the classroom which has provided more space.
Course instructor Emily Bird of Peguis, who holds a Masters Degree from University of Victoria, said that this is her first engagement as an instructor.
“I was nervous at first, but I’m getting more confident with each class,” she said. “A big part of this is the positive feedback from the students who also feel nervous about essay writing and research, but who are also gaining confidence as we go.”