A recent aboriginal peoples study was the final push Enge needed to take her educational message to her fellow aboriginal people. The study, released by Statistics Canada Sept. 24, concludes that Canada's non-reserve aboriginal population still face challenges in health, education, housing, and language.
The first push came when Enge became a school board trustee in 2000. She realized the staggering drop-out rates for aboriginal students in the North. Forty eight per cent of aboriginal people have incomplete secondary school educations, indicates the study.
"I want to provide some support and encouragement to continue their schooling," Enge says.
The news is promising though, with the percentage declining four per cent since 1996. Enge can't understand why so many children don't take advantage of the schooling that is available to them. "Their education is paid for. There is no reason why they don't go," she says.
She hopes her tales of overcoming obstacles on the road to her education will encourage students.
It worked in her family. Five of Enge's seven children have university degrees. As a Metis, Enge was the first aboriginal student to complete Grade 12 in Fort Smith, and she was two years behind at the time.
Enge went on to have a family, but the lure of the classroom stayed with her. With seven children in tow, she managed to graduate from the University of Calgary at the age of 48.
Enge knows from experience that education opens doors. After completing her degree, she settled into a career in social work -- one she had always wanted -- until her retirement five years ago.
"I don't think they realize how important it is (post-secondary education) to society," she says of aboriginal people. From her experience serving as a trustee, Enge knows that changes need to be made. "What the school board needs to do is provide tutoring," she says, adding that home life plays a big role too.
"Education starts at home. A parent should encourage their children and support them to get through," Enge says. Enge plans to approach the city's schools to present her story to students. She hopes that she can be a role model for students and that they might learn something from her story.
"I'm counting on them. They are our future," she says.
Enge is retiring from the school board when her term ends next month. She isn't done preaching her educational spiel, but she is looking to the next generation to take on her role.
"I'll let the younger generation take over," she says.