‘We are so proud of him’: Respected P.A. educator receives national recognition

Thunderchild was a teacher for almost three decades in P.A. and was a true champion for Indigenous education and truth and reconciliation. As a teacher and guidance counselor, he supported students during challenging times and encouraged them to take pride in their culture and heritage.

His numerous improvements in the Saskatchewan education sector include bringing the first Cree language program to John Diefenbaker school in 2020. The program has since expanded to include both grade 2 and pre-K.

“Vic was an amazing educator, leader, and friend. He is a very deserving recipient,’ Carlton Principal Jeff Court told paNOW.

Thunderchild was a dedicated member of the CTF/FCE Advisory Committee on Indigenous Education and was actively involved in the bargaining process for his local association as a longstanding councilor representing the Prince Albert and Area Teachers’ Association, and as a STF representative at the Provincial Department of Learning School and Shared Leadership Institute.

He also served as President and Vice-President of Social Studies Saskatchewan, a professional growth network. In a statement posted online by the CTF, Thunderchild was and will continue to be an outstanding advocate for teachers and Indigenous education.

“Victor truly left his mark on his community, the teaching of Indigenous language, culture and traditions, and education in Saskatchewan and across Canada,” they said.

Even after contracting COVID-19 in the spring of 2021, Thunderchild continued to advocate on behalf of his colleagues to the Government of Saskatchewan through social media, claiming the Saskatchewan Government had dropped the ball by not including teachers in the vaccination priority list.

Thank you @PremierScottMoe for not thinking we’re essential workers, as I sit in the @PAHealthDept Vic hospital recovering from Covid-19. Get my fellow teachers vaccinated, before this happens to anyone else.

— vic65tc (@VicThunderchild) April 5, 2021

After Victor’s passing, family, friends, and colleagues gathered on social media using #ApplesForVictor to share stories of Victor. Kaylene Waditaka shared “Mr. Thunderchild” was one of her favourite teachers.

“He really pushed me to graduate, and helped me with letters when I ran for Miss FSIN 2018-2019 and always told me all these opportunities to help me boost my grades,” she said.

Waditaka also explained one thing she will always remember and hold in her heart is how on the first day of school (in his class) he would play the Flag & Victory song and on the last day of school he would play them again.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

‘We are so proud of him’: Respected P.A. educator receives national recognition

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