Tsannie-Burseth received a Masters of Education degree from the U of R in 2001. (University of Regina)

By Derek Cornet

milestone

Northern educator receives U of R Professional Achievement Award

Mar 17, 2021 | 2:28 PM

With more than 30 years of service in the education field, Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth was honoured recently with a University of Regina Professional Achievement Award.

Tsannie-Burseth became a teacher in 1987 after spending time at the Northern Teacher Education Program in La Ronge. She started as a Kindergarten teacher at Wollaston Lake School and later served as a vice-principal, principal and finally the director of education until she left the community in 2007.

“I have always made sure language and culture was first and foremost,” Tsannie-Burseth said. “I did my master’s degree at the U of R in 2001. I did my masters there and I did it in curriculum and instruction with the idea I will be working and developing curriculum for language and culture.”

Tsannie-Burseth, who is a member of Hatchet Lake First Nation, also served one-term as chief. After moving south, she worked as an associate director with Prince Albert Grand Council for 11 years handling files such as language, culture and special education.

“We did a lot of language work there,” Tsannie-Burseth said. “The work we have done with the consultants and in the communities that really embraced the language and culture was worth working for.”

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Tsannie-Burseth has received numerous awards, including the Governor General’s Citizenship Award, Awasis Award, Role Model Award, Women of the Dawn Award and Lieutenant Governor’s Award. While she is grateful for all the recognition that has come her way, receiving a distinguished alumni award from her alma mater is especially gratifying.

Tsannie-Burseth currently has one more year of studies left to obtain a doctorate degree in education and also works with bands in Treaty 10 as they prepare for an agricultural benefit settlement commonly known as cows and plows.

As for advice for new or aspiring teachers, she said it’s important to have an open mind, be focused and remember anyone is capable of accomplishing the goals they set.

“I always tell them it’s not always a straight path, its not linear,” Tsannie-Burseth said. “There’s ups and downs, however, focus on your culture because anybody is capable of doing whatever they want to be.”

Tsannie-Burseth currently lives south of Prince Albert near MacDowall, but has plans to move back to Wollaston Lake once she completes her latest degree.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno