SMART | work “Te key is education for Indigenous youths” Continued from page 1
for individuals, but for entire communities. Tis transformation will lead to economic development and healthier communities.” On average, about 37 per cent of First Na-
tions students graduate from high school, compared to a near 87 per cent among Ca- nadian students generally. One of the challenges is the miscon-
ception about Indigenous students being guaranteed government funding, a fact that Jamieson says people need to be more aware of. “Tere are huge disparities in education
funding between Indigenous and non-Indig- enous students and there’s a myth out there that Indigenous students are guaranteed government funding for all their education,” According to the Canadian Federation
of Students, from 2006 to 2011, more than 18,000 Aboriginal people were denied funding, representing approximately half of those who qualified. “Tis is a challenge both for the Indig-
enous youth who are not getting the fund- ing they need to go on to post-secondary education, and for Indspire in trying to raise money from a Canadian public who may not be aware of the realities of those students,” Jamieson adds. Te other critical challenge Jamieson says
is the lack of resources for educators that validate Indigenous ways of knowing, which is why Indspire provides resources to educa- tors of K-12 Indigenous students through its K-12 Institute.
“We know that to create systemic change
in Indigenous education, we need to do more than offer scholarships and bursaries, we need to make sure students are graduat- ing high school, and that is what Te Insti- tute is working toward through programs, information, and tools to improve educa- tion outcomes and ultimately increase high school graduation rates.” Te Indigenous students that were given
financial aid by Indspire yielded a 96% graduation rate of which 53% decided to further their education. Forty-two percent of the graduates were employed and of the 42% that were employed, 61% indicate that they are going back and servicing Indig- enous populations. Since Jamieson started in 2004, Indspire has awarded 27,926 scholarships and bursaries amounting to $87,330.075. Jamieson, a Mohawk from Ontario’s Six
Nations of the Grand River Territory, was the first First Nation woman in Canada to earn a law degree, the first woman Ombuds- man of Ontario; and the first woman elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. She has been appointed as an Of- ficer of the Order of Canada, and a place in the “Canada’s Most Powerful Women” Hall of Fame by Women’s Executive Network. As accomplished as she has been, she wants to continue working towards change. “Tat’s why I’m doing this with my life
at this point. I want to make change in my lifetime for our people and Canada,” adds Jamieson. “With Canada’s current political climate, I’m more optimistic now than I ever have been,” adding that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has brought home to Canadians the truth of their coun- try’s history, which has really set the table for change. “Just 10 per cent of our people gradu-
ate from university, compared to about 27 percent of Canadians generally. That deficiency affects our ability to decolonize our relationship with Canada, to be able to play our own role in the reconciliation process, to create healthy communities, to make them prosper and to contribute our full potential to our people, to Canada and to the world,” says Jamieson. “When our young people believe they
are persons of value and that their cultures are valuable, they will respond by realizing they have talent, potential, intelligence, and
something special to offer. Tey’ll do better in school, they’ll get better jobs, and they’ll bring those positive changes back to their communities.” Jamieson says Indigenous education is
a powerful force to propel Canada across the threshold into a new era of true recon- ciliation. “It is a time when we can take the learn-
ings from the past in a way that will allow us to acknowledge our shared history, and move forward. We celebrate our continued willingness to share, and be part of building this nation – and creating a better future. I believe Canadians want to see systemic change that improves Indigenous lives, and makes them proud to be Canadians.” Inspire is helping Indigenous students
further their education, but in the end, it’s the students dedication that is making them successful. “Te dedication of the students involved
in Indspire’s programs demonstrates the potential and hope these young people have”, says Jamieson. “Tese young people are not just future Indigenous leaders but future leaders of our country.” Jamieson says she’s optimistic about
where Canada is headed, but there’s still a lot of work to do. “Within a generation, I want every First
Nation, Inuit, and Métis student to gradu- ate high school. From there, I’d like to see every student who wants to go on to post- secondary education, be able to do that.”
Te beginning pursuit of a hobby turned career Continued from page 1
began as a hobby. He plans on attending PrairieView School of Photography this upcoming fall, a private school that aims to educate and help mould aspiring photogra- phers into accomplished professionals. Upon being asked why he decided to start photogra-
phy in the first place, he answers: "It was honestly just a curiosity thing. I was close with someone who was into it and one day I asked if she might be able to book a camera for me to take out at our high school," Leung says. "After that initial shoot, I watched a lot of YouTube videos on photography and read articles to learn more about the basics and the different tricks and techniques, the dif- ferent camera bodies that are out there and lenses and how to capture desired images." When asked why he decided to attend photography
school, Leung explained that he wants to learn as much as he can about photography, though simply listening to him speak about taking photos illustrates very clearly that he knows a great deal to begin with. "Being shown certain things by professionals is still a lot better than trying to learn things completely on your own or just from the internet. You can't have a conversation with a video." Leung explains.
Te photography industry is expected to see an esti-
mated number of over 4,600 official job openings span- ning the next seven years across Canada, though this estimate is likely much higher when taking into account the numerous clients in need of smaller shoots such as family or wedding photos. However, as the ratio of the number of photographers
to job availabilities almost always shows a surplus of photographers, photography is considered a competitive field, with many individuals not able to generate a steady or desired income from their profession. With this in mind, Leung states that the reason he still decided to take it on as a career was simply because of his overall passion for the profession. "I'm quite driven and invested." Leung says, quirking a smile. With the assistance of social media outlets such as Ins-
tagram, Leung has gained a following and has managed to advertise his services as a photographer, already landing several jobs for his skills. Te shoots are good experience and a confirmation of his ability as a photographer. "I like taking pictures of people that they genuinely like. Ones where they can look at themselves and really feel good about what they look like." When asked about his favourite
thing about taking photos, he answers, "Te overall expe- rience itself of taking a photo that captures a moment in time is pretty cool. It creates something that you can look at over and over again and remember. Plus, it's very fun." When asked if he knew what he wanted to do after high
school prior to engaging in photography, he states that he didn't have anything concrete in mind. "I mean, I had different ideas and options I'd think about of course, but nothing that I was as sure of as photography." Many teenagers accompany thoughts about their fu-
tures with feelings of nervous anticipation and doubt, and this is to be expected. Te daunting task that is becoming an adult and making something of yourself is certainly not one to treat lightly, but perhaps the answer to what you'll be happiest and most successful at isn't as hard to figure as it seems. Upon being asked if he had any advice for people that are thinking about taking the thing they consider a hobby and pursuing it as a career, Leung has some advice. "Take every opportunity you get, earn as many con-
nections as you can so that you can get to the place that you want to be in your career. All the work you do, it'll pay off one day."
FROM ST ANDREWS AIRPORT
We service the following Northern Manitoban communities:
Little Grand Rapids | Pauingassi | Bloodvein River Berens River | Poplar River
CHARTERS AVAILABLE WITH CESSNA CARAVANS ON WHEELS OR AMPHIB FLOATS.
Donate Plasma Save lives
Your Plasma Donation is Needed
137 Innovation Drive Located in SmartPark near the University of Manitoba Fort Garry Campus
Donors receive compensation for their time when donating
For more information please contact us
by Phone: (204) 275 4630 by Email:
WPGPlasma@prometic.com or Visit:
www.prometicplasma.com @PlasmaResources
WEBSITE:
www.amikaviation.com PHONE: 204 338 1734
2 Smart Biz
www.smartbizwpg.com October 2017
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16
