Honouring Dr. Mary Courchene

The Maples

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/09/2024 (349 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After over 50 years of unceasing dedication to Indigenous education and knowledge in Manitoba and Canada, Dr. Mary Courchene is retiring and a grand tribute celebration is scheduled for Sept. 25 at the Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre.

Popular master of ceremonies Ray (Coco) Stevenson and friends will host this special event, which will also feature performances by Kevin Chief and the Norman Memorial Dancers, Leonard Podolak, The Wrigley Brothers, Sweet Alibi and more.

Courchene has been a legendary educator and her legacy is explained in the SOSD profile prepared for this occasion:

Elder Mary Courchene passionately believes in the transformative potential of education. Her curiosity was inspired by a happy childhood in Sagkeeng First Nation and the foreign sounds of English playing from her father’s radio. Her most memorable teaching from her father was to “walk gently on the earth.”

Despite the devastating experience of residential school and the chasms created between her family and her ‘western’ education, Mary retained her language and persisted. She was one of the first Indigenous Manitobans to graduate with multiple university degrees. Mary’s early academic success foretold a life dedicated to building intercultural bridges as a teacher, counsellor and administrator, including as assistant superintendent of First Nations schools.

Mary navigated enduring Eurocentrism by skillfully infusing Indigenous worldviews as dean of Aboriginal education at Red River College, co-founder of the Manitoba First Nations Educational Resource Centre and Aboriginal Circle of Educators, and the inaugural principal at Children of the Earth. At Children of the Earth, Mary introduced daily cultural programming at the first Indigenous-focused urban high school in Canada. Recently, Mary’s life and distinguished career was the basis of a new provincial curriculum resource titled, Resistance on the Giimooch. This resource is an amazing tool for professional development, classrooms and anyone interested in learning more about residential schools and Mary’s thriving as a survivor. Resistance on the Giimooch was created by Seven Oaks School Division staff and sponsored by the Manitoba Teachers Society.

Today, Mary shares her profound understanding of residential schools at local, national and international levels. She builds bridges of reconciliation and renewal. Over the past 15 years Mary served as elder in residence of the Seven Oaks School Division, where she was involved in supporting many divisional events as an advisor, sharing her gifts and wisdom.

Mary is a recognized visionary and leader both provincially and nationally, working tirelessly in advancing education and community endeavours.

She received dozens of awards in the past 50 years including an honorary doctorate in 2018 from the University of Manitoba and in 2020, Mary was one of 12 honourees to the Order of Manitoba.

Mary envisions the next generation of Canadians embracing Gaa wii ji’i diyaang, ‘walking together, helping each other’ in life and learning. Her hope is that we all pursue Mino-Pimatisiwin – the good life.