Western Washington University
516 High St, Bellingham, WA 98225
USA
“Intergenerational Experiences in Aboriginal Education: My Family”
Dr. Gwen Point, Chancellor, University of the Fraser Valley
This session will address the intergenerational impact of government Aboriginal education policies from the 1930s to the mid 2000s on one family – the author’s. An exploration of the connections between the federal government’s education policies and the personal education stories of the family spanning three generations reveals not only the challenges Aboriginal students faced in general, but the way Indigenous philosophies informed larger strategic and smaller tactical strategies of resistance. Through story work this family not only found strength to resist, but opportunities to try and transform the education system itself. As the intergenerational narratives reveal, the family’s objectives ranged from protecting the traditional and the sacred to developing strategies to improve their chances of succeeding within the government system. (Co-sponsor Canadian American Studies)