In joining the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Sarah Jerome has come full circle.

Having already sat on the council once in the 1980s, the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Elder has a long history of building up traditional knowledge in the NWT. Now, she will represent the NWT as the council selects natural for preservation as national treasures.

SA国际影视传媒滱 friend of mine from Parks Canada told me there was a vacancy and asked me if I was interested in applying,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 thought it would a good time to apply again, with the knowledge that I have and to be able to represent First Nations.SA国际影视传媒�

Jerome was announced as the NWT representative by Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on May 6. The HSMBC designated places, persons and events of national historic significance. Much of the recommendations come forward in the form of public nominations.

With her long history in preserving GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n culture, JeromeSA国际影视传媒檚 appointment was the logical choice, said the Minister.

SA国际影视传媒淢s. Jerome brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and an essential Indigenous perspective to the Board,SA国际影视传媒� said Wilkinson. SA国际影视传媒淪he joins a passionate group of individuals who care deeply about telling the stories of our past for the benefit of Canadians today and for future generations.

SA国际影视传媒淢s. JeromeSA国际影视传媒檚 knowledge and expertise will further advance the important work the Board has done for over a century to commemorate the people, places and events that have shaped history in Canada.SA国际影视传媒�

Raised on the land, Jerome grew up at her familySA国际影视传媒檚 bush camp on the Peel River. During the summer months she learned and the traditional skills of the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n and practiced the language, which she preserved in spite of being forced into residental school during her youth.

Jerome previously served as the NWT Language Commissioner from 2009-2013. She also has sat on the Porcupine Caribou Management Committee and the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Renewable Resources Council. With a long and active career in education, where she worked as a teacher, principal and superintendent over two decades, she had an extensive role in the modern Indigenous Curriculum taught throughout the Northwest Territories.

SA国际影视传媒淏ack in 1993 Education, Culture and Employment had hired language teachers from across the Mackenzie Valley to go to Yellowknife and develop the Dene Kede for the First Nations, for the Athabaskan language and Inuuqatigit,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲hen I worked for the Beaufort Delta Education Council we also worked on a Language Curriculum with the late Liz Hansen. This had to with language teaching language at various levels from K-6 and 9-12. We have both documents in the schools now. Our mandate for the language curriculum was to revitalize and enhance our languages.

SA国际影视传媒淢any of the survivors of residential schools had lost their language. So we needed to work with our youth on those languages.SA国际影视传媒�

She added it was important for her to serve because for far too long Indigenous voices have been ignored by the government.

More importantly, however, she said it was vital for youth growing up today to see Indigenous people in decision making roles.

SA国际影视传媒淎t that level of the government we donSA国际影视传媒檛 have very many Indigenous people that are part and parcel of that,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e need to educate the government SA国际影视传媒� not only the national government but also local governments SA国际影视传媒攁bout the Indigenous perspective and where weSA国际影视传媒檙e coming from. And to include that in their decision making.

SA国际影视传媒淐olonialism is alive and well. Back in the day a lot of decisions were made for us without our input. I want to be a role model for our young generation so they know they have the power and the knowledge to participate in these various forums. We need to ensure our youth are learning how they can speak up for our people.SA国际影视传媒�