McGill University partners with Kahnawake to offer on-reserve bachelor of education program

After two years of learning Kanien'kha in an immersion setting, Ioniehtenhwi Brittany Beauvais realized her dream was to teach her language.

"It doesn't seem like a job to me. It's more like a passion," said Beauvais.

The 29-year-old has been working as a teaching assistant at Karonhiannhnha tsi Ionterhwaiensthkhwa, a Kanien'kha immersion elementary school in Kahnawake, Que., since graduating from the Kanien'kha Ratiwennahn:rats Adult Language Immersion Program in 2016.

Nowshe's hoping to further her career as one of30 students enrolled in a newbachelor of education program offered by the Kahnawake Education Center and McGill University.

"Working as an assistant, I realized this is what I want to do," said Beauvais.

"I love going to work every day and being with the kids, so this was kind of like a no-brainer."

It's the first time the intensive 120-credit program will be offered in the community. Graduates will receive a bachelor of education in First Nations and Inuit Education, and will be certified to teach kindergarten and elementary students throughoutQuebec.

Robin Delaronde,director of the Kahnawake Education Center, said the four-year program will be tailored to Kahnawake's needs, including classes being offered during the eveningin the communityand culturally-relevant course material.

"It's so important that they have all of the course requirements needed for teachingbut equally it's important that they have a clear understanding of how to teach through our own world view and perspective as Indigenous people," said Delaronde.

Delaronde graduated from McGill's bachelor of education program in 1988. She said the thing it was missing waspreparationon how to teach in her own community.

"They're going to be fortunate to have both," she said.

Responding to calls to action

McGill's investment in theprogram stems from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action, as well as the provost'sTask Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education, which called upon the university to develop more in-community delivery of education degrees and certificates.

"The provost office has made Indigenous success a key priority," said ChristopherManfredi, provost and vice-principal academic atMcGill.

"Universities have a crucial role in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action."

The opportunity to pursue a university degree in her own community is what drew Skanai:'a Deer to the program.

"It's very close to where I live;it's the exact field that I want to go into," said Deer.

"It is exactly what I'm already kind of doing, but don't have the training for right now."

Like Beauvais, Deer is also a graduate of Ratiwennahn:rats. Her experience in the program helped her find her passion for teaching Kanien'kha. Last summer, she began volunteering at Iakwahwatsirattie Language Nest, a a Kanien'kha immersion program for parents/caregivers of children aged 0-4.

"I've always had an aptitude for for languagesand I've always loved kids," said Deer.

"I'm just really excited to be able to continue it in a more professional capacity."

MORE FROM CBCINDIGENOUS