With U of W degrees in hand, Indigenous women called trailblazers By: Jura McIlraith Posted: 7:03 PM CDT Friday, Jun. 14, 2024

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This article was published 14/06/2024 (845 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Twyla McKay wasn’t sure if she had the determination to go to school again. Despite her self-doubt, she walked across the stage Friday to receive her diploma in developmental studies, along with eight other Indigenous women.

The 48-year-old looks forward to taking her knowledge back to her community of O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation (Crane River), nearly 300 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. She’s keen to return to work at Aboriginal Head Start, a national early intervention program that provides education for children aged three to five before they go to school.

McKay graduated from the University of Winnipeg with her classmates after nearly four years of study. The course was initially meant to take 18 months, but was delayed by the pandemic.

The program, which was created for people involved in early childhood education, was tailored to what the women wanted to learn.

“They call us ‘trailblazers’ and it’s amazing because really, we are,” said McKay outside the U of W campus surrounded by her family. “If I can do it, anybody can do it and it’s been a pleasure and it’s been an honour.”

McKay continued working with Aboriginal Head Start just as she has since 1999, and took on the role of service co-ordination for Jordan’s Principle for the First Nation while in school.

Jordan’s Principle, which was mandated by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, helps Indigenous children have access to timely health care, social programs and education.

She said she’s proud of her accomplishments and her classmates’ achievements.

“To be able to do this journey together with my fellow sisters is amazing,” McKay said. “There were times where we were discouraged and didn’t think we were going to complete and honestly, the love and the support that we have for each other, that’s why we’re here today.”

The day was especially exciting, she said, since her daughter Zoe is set to graduate from high school in two weeks.

“It makes me feel more connected to her, like we work together and we’re closer together,” said Zoe, 18. “(She’s taught me to) stay strong, put your mind to it. Anything you can do, it’s in your hands.”

Sherri-Lynn Skwarchuk said she is excited to see how much each student has grown during the last four years.

The professor and director of developmental studies said some of them didn’t know how to use email when they started and had to send their work via a fax machine, but they learned from one another.

Most classes were held virtually because the women lived in different communities and held down jobs.

“It’s like they all earned a degree, but they earned a degree as well in community,” she said. “I think every single one of them has called me and said, ‘I don’t think I can do this anymore,’ and here we are. It’s just such a great celebration.”

Skwarchuk said she thought about each student’s hard work, grit and determination as each of them crossed the stage to receive their diploma.

She added it’s been amazing to see the women create their own community although they come from various First Nations across the province.

Vivian Scott carried her community’s flag on stage and wore an orange and green beaded necklace over her robes along with her Indigenous stole.

Scott, who lives in Pimicikamak Cree Nation (Cross Lake), located roughly 500 kilometres north of Winnipeg, said it was overwhelming to be surrounded by her family as she graduated.

She wants her grandchildren to see representation of their community and to be proud of who they are and where they come from.

“I want my grandkids to see that (you can) dream, and you can succeed,” Scott said. “I’m hoping that they say, ‘Oh, my kokum graduated, and I got to see her and that’s what I want to do, too.’”

Scott, who is in her 50s, said she recently changed positions after working in early childhood education and is now an executive council member in Pimicikamak.

She wants to show community members that if they have a dream, they can make a change.

Skwarchuk said the students will continue to encourage literacy and numeracy education for young children. Some have talked about starting immersion programs in Cree and Ojibwa in their communities.

There are plans to begin another cohort in the fall.

jura.mcilraith@freepress.mb.ca