Judy Whitford doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have a typical nine-to-five office job.
On many days, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 out on the land with students, connecting them with elders who share Dene legends and teach them the importance of respecting nature.
SA国际影视传媒淲e were able to catch some rabbits and we caught a lynx and we caught a wolverine,SA国际影视传媒� said Whitford about a recent trapping camp near Behchoko with students from YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Catholic school district.
SA国际影视传媒淭he kids worked on cleaning them, learning how to skin them, learning how to properly care and respect the animals while theySA国际影视传媒檙e doing it. And I think thatSA国际影视传媒檚 the really great part of having the elders out there working with the kids.SA国际影视传媒�
As the Indigenous education coordinator for Yellowknife Catholic Schools, Whitford has been helping the district better SA国际影视传媒渋nfuseSA国际影视传媒� Indigenous culture into what it does.
On Friday, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 scheduled to be recognized in Montreal for her work with a 2017 Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educators Award from Indspire.
In its fifth year, the award honours WhitfordSA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渋nnovative practiceSA国际影视传媒� in education.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e very proud of the work that sheSA国际影视传媒檚 done,SA国际影视传媒� said YCS superintendent Claudia Parker. SA国际影视传媒淪heSA国际影视传媒檚 been a great support for our language instructor SA国际影视传媒� and she also has changed the mindset in regards to how weSA国际影视传媒檙e doing our cultural programming.SA国际影视传媒�
Whereas students were simply sent out on the land for cultural activities in the past, Parker said Whitford has introduced SA国际影视传媒減re-teachingSA国际影视传媒� and SA国际影视传媒減ost-teachingSA国际影视传媒� to better prepare classes.
It helps instructors understand what they need to teach students about before taking part in on-the-land activities.
Whitford is tying Indigenous families into the fabric of the school community through family nights that involve beading and mitt-making.
Jigging, drumming and hand games tournaments have also been held at the district, thanks to her.
SA国际影视传媒淪heSA国际影视传媒檚 also put programs in place to celebrate our Indigenous students and their leadership SA国际影视传媒hat has the older students, like high school students, helping out with cultural activities,SA国际影视传媒� said Parker.
It was a number of these different initiatives that stood out to Indspire when choosing Whitford for this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 award, according to Cherie Cohen, marketing and communications director for the organization.
SA国际影视传媒淭he effects of her work are far-reaching,SA国际影视传媒� said Cohen, explaining Whitford has bridged gaps between Indigenous and other communities. SA国际影视传媒淎nd she has not limited her focus to just Indigenous peoples as the beneficiaries.SA国际影视传媒�
But Whitford feels she is just one SA国际影视传媒渓ittle personSA国际影视传媒� in the bigger picture of what the award represents.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really recognizing the kids that are willing to do this, the elders that are willing to share the stories and the school board for being at this point where theySA国际影视传媒檙e ready to move forward with Indigenous culture,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
