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A tradition in teaching Edward Oudzi receives Outstanding Volunteer Award
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Published Friday, August 2, 2013
LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
Teaching comes naturally to Edward Oudzi. The 73-year-old Norman Wells resident has been educating the community’s young people for years, teaching them everything from trapping skills to how to tell a great story.
Norman Wells elder Edward Oudzi is an invaluable member of the Mackenzie Mountain School community. The 73-year-old received the school’s Outstanding Volunteer Award in June thanking him for his years of service. - photo courtesy of Erik Koopman
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“We have a fire going outside and we just sit around the fire and we just keep on telling stories every evening,” Oudzi said. “It’s good to have the kids out on the land now.”
That’s why Oudzi was selected as this year’s winner of the Outstanding Volunteer Award at Mackenzie Mountain School, said former teacher Erik Koopman.
“There wasn’t any question,” he said.
Koopman said the honour couldn’t have gone to a more deserving member of the school community.
“He is amazing,” he said. “He’s just incredible.”
Oudzi and Koopman partnered to deliver Mackenzie Mountain School’s on-the-land program about three years ago, but Oudzi has been the school’s go-to elder for much longer, Koopman said.
For at least eight years, Oudzi has been teaching students how to make drums, taking them out on camping trips and sharing his knowledge and love of the land.
Koopman said watching a more experienced person perform tasks allows students to learn in the traditional way.
“Students today aren’t given the opportunity to develop keen observation skills that involve patience and being able to sustain your attention on something to learn it really well,” he said. “That is what Edward gives students a chance to develop.”
Oudzi’s teaching method also allows students to learn by experience, Koopman said.
“He doesn’t scurry to their side if they encounter a challenge,” he said. “They learn from their mistakes.”
Koopman said years of practice have made Oudzi an expert.
“There is no questioning his credibility or his vast background of experience because it shows up in everything he does,” he said.
That wealth of experience provides a more well-rounded education to Mackenzie Mountain School students, Koopman said.
“It’s through someone like Edward that you’re able to tap into experiential learning. I think kids need more than they ever did before,” he said. “He rounds out certain aspects of education that are hard for us to bring to the school.”
Oudzi said he teaches students the skills they need to be successful on the land and maintain a good camp.
“We were snaring rabbits and we also cut wood and we set the fish nets on the lake,” he said. “There are lots of things we did around the camp.”
In addition to a lifetime of knowledge, Oudzi’s outlook on life is inspirational for everyone who gets to know him, Koopman said.
“He is a very, very positive person. He greets everyone he passes on the street,” he said. “Kids love him.”
Oudzi said he hopes to continue his work at the school for many more years to come.
“I like to teach the kids,” he said.
Koopman said he hopes as many students as possible will benefit from the opportunity to learn from Oudzi.
“To me, he represents a true elder that everybody unquestioningly looks up to and admires and enjoys being around,” he said.
Koopman presented Oudzi with the award during the school’s graduation ceremony in June. Koopman said he learned part of his speech in Slavey for the occasion.
“It was one of those moments you remember for a long time,” he said. “That was pretty special.”
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