b'INDSPIRE SUPPORTERSA former employee of the Northor OLI. It was founded by TraceeFURTHER PROGRESSWest Company in WinnipegSmith, who started out as a chore- Having watched the slow progress founded Teach For Canada,ographer with Indspire working ontowards a national recognition of another beneficiary of the Tachanesome of their award ceremonies.the need for tangible reconciliation Foundation. It is a non-profit orga- Ian and son Derek serve on the OLIover many years, Ian Sutherland nization that works with NorthernBoard. Set up in 2007, OLI startedhas strong views on the way in First Nations to recruit, prepareby introducing dance classes towhich donors and charitable and support committed teachers.remote Indigenous communitiesorganizations could or should Currently, there are 120 Teach Foras a tool to motivate youth to staybe working together to achieve Canada educators working in 21in school. Today, 97 per cent offurther progress. partner First Nations in Northernthe students graduate from high Ontario and Manitoba. Weve come a long wayI dont school, which is better than thethink most Canadians think in a Another program the foundationrate in most Southern communi- colonial fashion anymore. But helped fund is Outside Looking In,ties, Ian says. I think theres a great lack of comprehension of the history of Canada before we Europeans stmcollege.cacame, he says. Theres a lack of understanding of how Indigenous communities are governed and the importance of their contact with the land and living off the land. I think part of the reconciliation is the education of Southern and non-Indigenous Canadians, who are increasingly non-white as well.We both believe in a hand up, not a hand down, adds Judy. I St. Thomas More College (STM)is a welcoming liberal arts college on the USask campushad to get a scholarship to go to in Saskatoon. Registration in over 240 STM offerings in 18 subject areas is available touniversity, and Ian had to work any USask student. Indigenous students will find a great deal of transition support andto go to university, so we werent opportunities for community building at STM, including small class sizes, a welcoming,handed things.diverse environment, supportive faculty, student clubs, social events, and additional opportunities for Indigenous student scholarships and bursaries. We respect the governance in Contact 306-966-8900/ 1-800-667-2019 these communities, and because Ive been to 60 or more communi-ties in the North, Ive learned that theres a lot to listen to, Ian Challenge the THINK INDIGENOUS. THINK TRENT. says, naming friends like former National Chief of the Assembly of Home to First Peoples House First Nations Phil Fontaine, former way You thinkof Learning, Indigenous Student Support Services. Indspire President and CEO Roberta Jamieson, and former Chair Dave Explore 100+ academic programs acrossthe arts, sciences and professional programs,Tuccaro as leaders whose voices including: Business, Environmentalshould be heard.Studies, Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences, Indigenous Bachelor of Education, Law &What advice would he offer to Arts, Medical/Veterinary pathways, Nursing,Indigenous students? First, honour and Foundations of Indigenous Learningyour Elders and family, and support Diploma pathways program. them so they can support you, Celebrating 50 years as a proud leader inIan says. Second, finish your high-Indigenous education and reconciliation. school education, and the world #1 will give you many opportunities for Study at Ontarios your life and career. Third, its not undergraduate university just all work and no play: balance is TRENTU.CA/INDSPIRE probably the most important thing to achieve.42indspiration2022'