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'Indigenous education is more than just trapping,' says trustee

Michael-Hugall

The Indigenous education curriculum needs to be revamped, says the YK1 board

While delivering his monthly report, assistant Supt. Ed Lippert told the board what students experienced at an Indigenous-themed winter camp.

During the camp, students were involved in activities such as building igloos, trapping and dog-sledding, said Lippert.

However, trustee Terry Brookes challenged what the administration has deemed appropriate for students to learn regarding to Indigenous peoples and their culture.

“It's much more than that ... it goes beyond trapping – how does the cultural aspect or philosophy get explored?” asked Brookes. “For igloo building, I could put on my engineering hat and make it a team building exercise, but that's not exactly Indigenizing education.”

Yk1 aboriginal education coordinator Scott Willoughby will give his recommendation for revamping the curriculum during a future board presentation.

Lippert added the presentation will allow YK1 to take a closer look at expanding Indigenous-based learning.

 

YK1 underscores position on female representation

YK1 trustee Tina Drew wanted to make it clear women were well represented at the board level.

At the beginning of the April 11 meeting, Drew made a motion to look into the minutes from last month. The motion was seconded by trustee Terry Brookes.

By doing so, Drew amended the minutes to be clearer, “Women have always been very supported on the YK1 board."

Drew said she did so after being approached by a woman who was skeptic about running in the board election this fall.

“One of the questions I keep getting asked from women is 'do I feel supported on this board'” said Drew. “I am the only woman on an all-male board and that's why I feel it is important amendment be made to the record.”

 

Exam stress not just the pupil's problem

Trustees are mulling over ideas on how to prepare parents for dealing with their children's exam stress.

In their monthly meeting last Tuesday the YK1 trustee Tina Drew said the role of being a student has evolved.

“Some students have high performance sports activities, they have to get a job and then they have school and that's a lot of pressure. We, as parents, think we are preparing them for a better life,” said Drew. “That's not the way the world works.”

Drew added parents are expecting too much from their children.

Assistant superintendent Ed Lippert replied to Drew's comments drawing from his own experiences.

“Sometimes it's good to put pressure on our kids,” said Lippert.

However, Lippert and Drew both agreed there is a fine line on the amount of pressure students should be exposed to.

The board has yet to decide whether they will bring the issue of dealing with exam stress to parents.