Vice-Principal Melanie Cook discusses the importance of early literacy skills. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Women's health

Women’s conference promotes goal setting and self-care

Jan 31, 2020 | 8:00 AM

A vice-principal from Saskatoon told a crowd of nearly 200 women too many children are not making into university because they lack fundamental skills.

Melanie Cook, who works at Oskayak High School, and previously was a principal at Black Lake, was among the guest speakers Thursday at the Empowering Indigenous Women’s Conference at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre. Cook said in her personal experience she saw children at the Grade 10 level, who could ony read at a Grade 4 or 5 level.

“We are setting up our kids for failure because we are not giving them the tools they need to succeed,” she said, encouraging the parents in the crowd to work with their children and teach them to read and write.

Cook also said school divisions need to start putting their best teachers into the early grade to help improve early literacy skills.

Close to 200 women registered for Thursday’s event. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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The full day conference touched on a wide range of other issues as well including women’s justice rights, domestic violence and how to deal with tension and stress. Lawyer Francine Merasty from Pelican Narrows was asked to talk about social media and how it applies to the law.

“I think it’s important to know the legal consequences of your actions because not a lot of people know that there are consequences when you post things on social media,” she said.

Dr. Cora Mirasty from La Ronge organized the conference, and also spoke on the topic of women’s health.

“Women face different issues than men in the sense that women are the central caregivers of their families so many will have jobs, try to be a parent or a single parent, and then have to take care of the home, cook, et cetera,” she said.

Mirasty explained when planning the event, she wanted to have an event which provided information on a variety of different issues, but also gave the women from across Northern Saskatchewan a place to connect and network.

“My theme was to just to give something back to the women and also let them know that they can accomplish whatever they want,” Mirasty said.

While the day’s events had a more serious tone, the evening was about showcasing some talented indigenous women. Hip-hop Artist Lindsay Knight, recording artist Harmonie King, and singer-songwriter Raved Red were among the artists who performed on stage.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell