(File photo/paNOW staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Online Learning

Elder Liz Settee reflects on experience educating students

Jun 25, 2021 | 5:00 PM

At the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) board meeting on Monday, which also happened to be National Indigenous Peoples Day, the board reviewed all the division’s efforts during the school year and future plans in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

These include their Cree language program, Michif language and culture program, and virtual teachings from Elder Liz Settee in hundreds of classrooms to educate students on reconciliation.

Settee told paNOW the opportunity was very exciting but at first, was very nerve-wracking.

“I think as humans we’re so used to talking in front of people or with people, well not everybody’s comfortable talking in front of large groups but talking to a computer is not easy,” she said. “Once I finally started to feel comfortable— the first week was just terrible because I was so nervous— but after that, it was just wonderful, and I can’t believe how fast the time went.”

She was approached by an Indigenous perspective coaches’ team about if she was willing to do online teaching and came about because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Settee said they were able to reach many more students by doing it virtually.

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In November of 2020 Settee did weekly sessions with Grades 5-8 and in February 2021 for Grades 1-4. Some of the topics discussed in the first four weeks she taught included the four sacred medicines which are sage, tobacco, sweetgrass, and cedar. Each week she would talk about one of the different medicines. In the second installment, she taught multiple subjects including information on residential schools.

“The response was overwhelmingly positive is the feedback I received,” she explained adding they hoped to do Grades 9-12 but ran out of time. “I have to say it’s a great way to reach more youth.”

Settee said it was important to teach the youth because so many grow up not knowing their culture.

“I grew up not knowing mine and once I found it, I know how important it is to me,” she said. “I feel for the youth and the urban youth that a lot of them are so disconnected from their culture. And I’m not saying this is going to work, the traditional way is going to work, or the medicines are going to work but if you know about it it’s like having a toolbox. The more you know the bigger your toolbox is.

“If it helps one or two youth along the way to find that path then I’ve done something.”

Just from doing the presentations, she’s had students come up to her in public. She said that connection is important.

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12