A perseverance for education
Snowbird Kakfwi did whatever it took to pursue her dream of teaching
Elaine Anselmi
Northern News Services
Saturday, August 29, 2015
LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
From a young age, education was important to Snowbird Kakfwi.
In April, Snowbird Kakfwi graduated with a bachelor of education from Aurora College in Fort Smith - a program she completed while raising her six children. - photo courtesy of Snowbird Kakfwi
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Coming from a large family, she and her sister were the only ones to complete high school - she says she isn't quite sure what kept her going - but this April when she completed her bachelor of education, she had a clearer idea of what drove her.
"My main motivation came from my son I lost," she said.
"He struggled in education for the first few years of starting school and then seeing how much here, in Colville Lake, ... kids struggle in the school - there was a lot of different factors that contributed to that and I just wanted to help with that."
"Back then, same as a lot of parents, we didn't know much about it or how to help .
knowing as much as I do now, I wish I would have done more, I guess."
Along with her six children, Kakfwi moved to Fort Smith to attend Aurora College - though the education program wasn't her first stop. Starting in the heavy equipment operators course, Kakfwi had to leave just shortly before graduating when she lost her son, but was able to return in the fall and finish up her final testing while starting her bachelor of education.
Kakfwi did her practicum in the school in Norman Wells, where she lives, and hopes to do some substitute teaching over the next year.
"I want to keep my experience, I don't want to sit back and not do anything with it," said Kakfwi.
"I'd like to be able to get in now and then."
Sitting back has never been in Kakfwi's purview. She was in her home-community of Colville Lake when News/North spoke to her - heading out for the baron lands hunt, which she said she hasn't been a part of for six years. Her three youngest children have never taken part in the hunt.
"I'm kind of excited to get out on the land, it's . where I'm rooted and what I want to show to my children," she said.
"It's just as import as getting an education - just teaching them on the land."
Before heading out for the hunt, she was volunteering in the school in the mornings while in town.
Back in Norman Wells, for the past three summers Kakfwi has run a summer day camp, preparing children to start school in the fall.
"I'm always finding myself getting involved, I guess because I enjoy it," said Kakfwi. "And it's a part of who I am, I guess."
Determination has kept Kakfwi on track, completing her degree while raising six children - her husband is a contractor and spends a great deal of time away from home for work.
"Sometimes I don't know how I did it, I just went along with it - it's possible," Kakfwi said.
"Some people say they have a lot kids and families, and they don't know if they can do it. I guess I showed them it's possible."
