GDI Communicator
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December, 2007 Volume 1, Issue 8 GDI Communicator The GDI Communicator is an internal newsletter intended to increase communication between In this issue: management and staff of the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research • GDI Hosts Annual GDI Hosts Annual General Meeting General Meeting On Saturday December 1, Dean of Education, and cultural centre. The • GDI Training & 2007, the Gabriel Dumont University of President’s message was Employment Institute (GDI) hosted its Saskatchewan, and then followed by the appointment Hosts Beauval Annual General Meeting by Dr. Michael Tymchak, of a Speaker to lead the Open House (AGM). The event was an Dean of Education, proceedings. Only one opportunity to share University of Regina. The nomination for speaker was • DTI Training information with the Métis Master of Ceremonies for put forward. When Profile NRIII membership and to the SUNTEP signing nominations ceased, Mr. highlight some of the ceremony was Murray Jimmy Durocher was Institute’s successes over Hamilton, SUNTEP appointed as Speaker for the past year. No bylaw Saskatoon Coordinator. the duration. changes or major Following the speeches, decisions were taken at all three dignitaries Following a review and an Highlights: this meeting. ceremoniously signed the approval of the agenda and agreement, providing an minutes, the delegates and GDC Bursary The day’s events were excellent photo attendees were presented blessed with an opening opportunity for both the with the Institute Activity Recipients 2 prayer by Elder Mike media and the Institute to Report, delivered by GDI Maurice. One of the promote the occasion. Executive Director, Geordy Evaluation successes highlighted at McCaffrey. Highlights of the Update 5 the AGM was the signing The business portion of Institute Activity Report of a new five-year the AGM was called to included reference to GDI’s GDI Locations 6 Saskatchewan Urban order by Doyle Vermette, unprecedented growth Native Teacher Education Vice Chair of the GDI experienced in 2006-2007. Program (SUNTEP) Board of Governors. For instance, the Institute agreement between GDI, Opening remarks were acquired the Saskatchewan the University of given by MN—S President Métis Aboriginal Human Saskatchewan, and the Robert Doucette. Resources Development University of Regina. An President Doucette’s Agreement (AHRDA) in official signing ceremony, opening message 2006, and incorporated the which celebrated this focussed on the Institute’s new Training and accomplishment, many accomplishments Employment entity under preceded the AGM’s and the “world of the GDI umbrella; GDI business portion. opportunity for GDI” in the signed a contract for the Speaking on behalf of the future. Some of the development and delivery of merits of the new specific opportunities that the Métis Health and agreement were Métis President Doucette Wellness Scholarship and Nation—Saskatchewan referred to were for the Bursary Program; the GDC (MN—S) President and Department of Canadian (Gabriel Dumont College) recently appointed Heritage’s Aboriginal Graduate Studies program Minister of Education, Languages Initiative, and was launched in 2006; Robert Doucette, followed the development of a by Dr. Cecilia Reynolds, Métis-specific archives (Continued on page 3) Page 2 of 6 GDI Communicator Highlighting GDC Bursary Recipients In 2006, GDI established the As a teacher, I see Gabriel Dumont College children who are affected Monica Goulet received a Graduate Student Bursary by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum GDC Graduate Student Program as a three-year pilot Disorder (FASD). Bursary in the amount of project. The objectives of this Unfortunately, those $10,000 to help support her program are: (1) to provide affected include our Métis research and studies in the financial assistance and children. Through my Master of Business encourage Saskatchewan research, it is my hope Administration (MBA) Métis to pursue full-time that I will educate program at the University of Stacey Debray, GDC Graduate graduate studies and conduct Saskatchewan. Student Bursary Recipient, 2007 teachers and other research in fields related to Monica’s research focuses professionals about how Métis people; and (2) to to deal and cope with on the efficacy of addressing increase Métis employment children who are affected the racism experienced by in Saskatchewan and within by FASD. By giving Saskatchewan’s GDI. teachers hands-on Métis and First Nations material and strategies, people through using an In the first selection process, educational display such as hopefully that will reduce two applicants were awarded the frustration felt in the travelling Anne Frank bursaries, Louise Legare and dealing with these children Exhibit that was held in Keith Goulet. In the second with organic brain Saskatoon a few years ago. selection process, which took damage. Using strategies Monica describes her place in early May 2007, like: incorporating a strict research as follows: three applicants received routine, having a place for bursary awards. The three time-outs for the student My MBA project explores recipients were Stacey when he/she needs a and evaluates the feasibility Debray, Monica Goulet, and break, encouraging non- of the development and Shawna Larocque-Desjarlais. stimulating environments, promotion of a travelling exhibit honouring the First such as the classroom, Stacey Debray was awarded Nation and Métis peoples of and having reminder $6,150 to support her studies cards for the student are Saskatchewan. It will to obtain a Master of Science some ways to deal with a chronicle the struggles that (MSc) in Special Education at student with FAS. Aboriginal people historically Minot State University. and currently face, Stacey’s research is on I believe that educating particularly racism. Among strategies to help teachers ourselves on the effects of other things, the exhibit will teach children with Fetal FASD will help us also profile the success Alcohol Syndrome. The understand, and therefore, stories of members of the following is a description of better deal with the First Nations and Métis her research: students. communities and organizations from My thesis proposal is ‘What I also wanted to take this Saskatchewan. strategies can teachers use time to thank each and to combat impulsive and every member who gave The City of Saskatoon Community Services Branch Monica Goulet, GDC Graduate aggressive behaviours in me the opportunity to Student Bursary Recipient, 2007 children with Fetal Alcohol receive this bursary. This has agreed to be the official Syndrome (FAS)?’ It is my bursary has ensured that I sponsor of the project.They intention to use this can continue on with my are particularly interested in information … to gather studies through Minot this project, as the City important information for State University. My family administered and released teachers to help them teach is so grateful. the results of a telephone children with FAS. perception survey in December of 2005, where “more than two-thirds (Continued on page 3) Page 3 of 6 GDI Communicator GDI Hosts Annual General Meeting (Continued from page 1) financial audits. These are GDI, GDC, DTI, Following some general GDI’s Publishing Community Training questions and comments Department won a Residence (CTR), GDI from the floor, Speaker Saskatchewan Book Scholarship Foundation II, Durocher asked Elder Award in 2006 for The and GDI Training & Mike Maurice to deliver the Métis Alphabet Book by Employment. closing prayer and then Joseph Fauchon; and the Approximately 70% of the called for a motion to Institute boasted a 71% Institute’s funding comes adjourn the meeting. Métis workforce— making from the province with the it the largest Métis rest being made up of Many GDI staff employer in the province. small third-party contracts, volunteered at the event to It was clear to all in many from various federal ensure that the day ran attendance that GDI has government departments. smoothly; jobs included Métis Nation – Saskatchewan much to be proud about. Overall, financial running the registration President and recently appointed Minister of Education Robert statements indicate a table, decorating, Doucette speaking at the AGM Following a break for positive picture for GDI. providing technical lunch, Geordy McCaffrey Official audited statements support, hosting presented GDI’s Financial for all GDI entities for the dignitaries, taking minutes, Report. Highlights of the 2006-07 fiscal year will be and manning displays. financial report included a available in the Annual Thank you to all who reminder that there are six Report, which is due to be helped out. entities in the GDI family released early in the New that require annual year. Highlighting GDC Bursary Recipients (Continued from page 2) previous success with the operates under a Terms of “Anne Frank in the World: Reference, and a (70%) of Saskatoon 1029-1945” exhibit and Selection Committee residents say they have also lessons learned will meets twice a year to observed Aboriginals greatly assist the potential review applications. experiencing acts of partners who may wish to Application deadlines are racism” (p.16) (Fast become involved in the April 6 and October 6 Consulting 2006). The development and annually. Funding for this project will facilitate management of the new program is provided by capacity building for exhibit. Gabriel Dumont College. “I wish to determine partners who may wish to how effective exhibits get involved. It is the hope of the author You