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How to certify elders as teachers Samantha Stokell Northern News Services Published Monday, March 28, 2011
Regular MLAs approved the proposal to certify elders to teach cultural-related classes in schools by the fall semester, but the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) does not know what the certification will involve. The department is holding forums with stakeholders to develop an educational plan as part of the Aboriginal Student Achievement initiative, including talks on elder certification. "ECE already supports elders in the school programs as experts," said Amy Doerksen, manager of public affairs for ECE. At the beginning of February, Nunavut held a ceremony to certify five elders as Innait Inuksiutilirijiit, which means they are considered part of the school staff. The GNWT will seek advice from the Government of Nunavut certifying elders. Once the forums and education plan are complete, ECE will then work on how to certify elders. Norman Yakeleya, the MLA who proposed the motion, said elders should receive some form of compensation and be formally recognized in whatever their specialty might have be - such as on-the-land living, animals, drumming or weather. Even if the fine details aren't organized before September, Yakeleya would like the GNWT to set aside some money to offer elders an honorarium when they teach. Currently if elders receive compensation for teaching in schools, that decreases the amount of money received in their monthly pension cheques, essentially penalizing them, Yakeleya said. "We've got to start respecting this part of teaching. Let's do something good for our children," Yakeleya said. There is one forum left in Hay River, scheduled for April 5 to 7 to discuss the new education plan. It is for stakeholders only, such as members of local aboriginal governments, ECE, the local district education authority, school principals and youth.
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