b'NEW PERSPECTIVESOUTREACH ISBy Mike Hager EVERYTHINGOn the road with Indspires community outreach coordinatorO utreach is a fundamentalAfter graduating from Brock, Iteacher and their relation to part of Indspires questtaught in the Mohawk ImmersionIndspires annual Indigenous educa-to remove barriers tosector of a new primary school ontion event, the National Gathering Indigenous educational successSix Nations of the Grand River forfor Indigenous Education. across Turtle Islandand totwo years before heading to New celebrate Indigenous excellence.Zealand to play rugby and teachI find this role fulfilling because of Without it, Indspire would bein Rotorua, followed by work inthe many different events that I unable to serve the wide arrayEngland and a three-year rugbyattend across Turtle Island where I of audiences and communities itcareer in Manchester. Eventually,have the privilege to meet former does. Thats why its all the moreI found my way back to Canadaand future Building Brighter surprising that Indspire didnt haveand back to teaching, this timeFutures scholarship and bursary a community outreach coordinatorat the James Bay Eeyou Schoolrecipients. Im always so amazed in the Cree village of Chisasibiat the tremendous impact Indspire before I joined the organizationsalong the shores of James Bay inhas been able to have on the lives communications and marketingNorthern Quebec. I spent 11 yearsand hopes of so many Indigenous team (and began to put someliving and teaching in the North,students as they pursue their serious frequent flyer miles on mymaking wonderful connectionsunique academic opportunities. luggage as a result). and becoming a member of theIm also often surprised at how community before joining Indspiremany Indigenous folks arent A proud member of the Mohawkas a member of its Peer Supportfully aware of all the avenues of Nation and Bear Clan from the Sixprogram, a forerunner of the Riverssupport Indspire provides to help Nations of the Grand River, Imto Success program.First Nations, Inuit and Mtis in a former teacher and elite-levelevery region. Part of my work is rugby player whose career hasMy role is interesting because Ihelping them understand that taken me across Turtle Island andget to try my hand at a varietyIndspire does more than just the around the world. I graduated withof assignments to ensure thatannual Indspire Awards show. The an Honours BA in history with athe various communities andorganization has so much to offer, double minor in criminology andaudiences Indspire serves haveensuring that people pursuing post-sociology from the Universitythe most up-to-date and relevantsecondary education at all levels of Guelph, where I was also ainformation regarding all thingsare provided with the opportunity member of the football, rugby andIndspirefrom understandingto do something beyond high wrestling teams. I helped coach thebursary and scholarship applicationschool and, perhaps, beyond Gryphon womens rugby team toprocesses to securing content andtheir community.registrations for Indspires annual back-to-back winning seasons whileevents. Ive also had the pleasureMy work gives me a continual I received my Indigenous-focusedof contributing to several differentappreciation for why going into BEd to teach in the primary/juniorpublications on my perspectivescommunities and speaking with levels from Brock University.and experiences as a formeras many members as possible 38indspiration2025'