b'NEW PERSPECTIVESinvolve specific ambitions beyondstudents anymore. Theyve provenAcademic powerhouses: what the curriculum covers. they can conquer challenges andIndigenous students have all the excel. Think of them as Marvelacademic prowess they need to Due to the changing landscape insuperheroes-in-training; its our jobthrive in any field they choose. We many more FNIM communities,to provide them with the right toolsjust need to provide them with its time for a curriculum upgradeand knowledge. the right guidance, support andthink of it as giving your teachingresources. Think of it as unleashing approach a high-speed internetCultural riches to share:a tidal wave of talent.connection. Why? Because ourIndigenous cultures are treasure Indigenous students are breakingtroves of wisdom, traditions andIn a nutshell, its time to ditch the stereotypes and showing us thatunique perspectives. Our studentsold stereotypes and embrace a new theyre ready to soar without theand their families bring this wealthera of teaching where Indigenous old learning deficit baggage. Heresto the classroom and school,students are seen as the dynamic, the scoop: making it a richer, more vibrantcapable individuals they truly space for everyone. Just ask. If are. Lets give them the tools and Diverse career dreams: Indigenousyour students are comfortable knowledge they need to reach for students are no longer confined towith sharing, its like having a the stars in any career they set old expectations. Theyre exploringdaily cultural exchange in your their sights on. After all, the skys a wide range of career options,own classroom. not the limit; its just the beginning! from traditional roles to cutting- More FNIM students are applying edge fields like tech, medicine,Identity as a strength:to post-secondary institutions, and more. So, lets make sureAcknowledging and embracingmore are graduating, and now our lesson plans are as diverse asIndigenous identities is like addingwe are welcoming more students their dreams. into graduate studies and even rocket fuel to the learning process.doctorate degrees. Fewer learning deficits, moreWhen students feel proud of who learning superpowers: Lets facethey are, theyre more confident,Just like the STEM students I it: the term learning deficitengaged and motivated to mentioned earlier, the increasing doesnt suit our Indigenousexcel academically. number of Indigenous students desiring more than a secondary school diploma is not entirely on DEFINE YOUR FUTURE AND CAREER the shoulders of educators, but we did play a noteworthy role inEXPLORE EDUCATION ensuring the academic success of these students for this to truly occur. So, lets continue to elevate,PATHWAYS AT SFU motivate and align our expectations with FNIM students.I know, I know. Believe me, I Undergraduate Degrees know. I was a teacher for over two decades; my partner and mother-Teacher Education in-law are teachers, my sister-in-law, and her mother, and three of Graduate Degrees my cousins from Six Nations of the Grand River are all teachers. This is why, despite Norm Macdonalds observationand that of far too many others who dont actually know what teaching is likeI genu-inely think that like David Bowie sings, We could be heroes just for one day.sfu.ca/education SOS: save one student. Or save one staff member (even if its yourself). Programs offered across 3 campuses and in off-campus communities They need you. The world needs you too. 36indspiration2023'