b'GUIDING THE JOURNEYWhat kind of impact has the award had on your lifeJust always remember to carry or career?Its solidified how far Ive come in my lifethe chal- the prayers of your ancestors lenges and the barriers Ive overcome. Being seen by my peers and other leaders is healing. Its empowering. and their hopes for the future And then [theres] what happened as a result of all these steps Im taking and this recognition [by] mygenerations. Dont let the peers and leaders: Ive now been offered a new leader-ship role [that] is the first of its kind at my school.systems dim your fire.As of this coming September, Im going to be the Indigenous education coordinator, which is going toCharlene Smoke, GTJ Award Recipientbe a little bit of everything: working with people, with other adults, with leaders and other teachers, but also still working in the classroom with kids. Im just really grateful. about our history of oppression, racism and discrimina-tionwhat Im seeing is these kids going, Yeah, that In Indigenous education, reciprocity and mutualhappened to my family, or Yeah, I know what youre learning are key. Whats one important thing yourtalking about with that.students have taught you?In the school demographic that Im in right now, manyI see the ripple effects, and I see that theyre carrying of the [students] come from backgrounds where theirwhat Im teaching with them home. And then some-families are originally from China, India or Pakistan,times the parents will come and share with me, Oh, my or different parts of the world. And theyre comingchild told me this, and this is what we do in our culture to Canada to get this Western education. But in creating and seeing these connections. Theyre turn, when I start sharing my own journeytalkingshowing me that these [young people] are not just hungry for learning, but they want to learn the truth. They want to show respect. And its just been amazing.What message would you give to young Indigenous people who want to pursue a career in teaching, but arent sure where to begin?What I was seeking and hungry for back in the day, when I was starting my journey wasmentors. Its important to have mentors, but its also important to find a community. The First Nations House of Learning during that time in my life was my community. And I want them to always think about that, that theyre not alone. And [its also about] knowing that the path is going to be hard. Youll face racism and stereotypes, but its still worth it if you can walk in two worlds with that integrity, if youre rooted in who you are and honour the reality that youre in two worlds. Its a very common term we hear more lately, the two-eyed seeing. Understand that and honour both sides. [Its] really important too to acknowledge those who came before them. Remember those people who were the trailblazers. And just always remember to carry the prayers of your ancestors and their hopes for the future generations. Dont let the systems dim your fire.28indspiration2025'