Video of Angaye’e’s Presentation:
PDF Version of her PowerPoint Presentation:
Date: Thursday, October 27, 2016
Join us at the UBC Learning Circle in our conversation with Angaye’e, who is known as Shirley Morven, as she presents from the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority Health Centre in the Nass Valley on traditional teaching styles not only in the everyday lives of the children but also in the schools.
The Nisga’a took control of their schools and the education of their own children in the 1980’s. Since then they’ve been known to have higher success rates than regular schools of the education of their First Nations children. Nisga’a schools support their children in many ways. For example: building self esteem and confidence, teaching health & well-being, cultural and traditional teachings, graduation, and providing resources and continuous support, encouragement, and inspiration for those who go on to post-secondary.
Topics of Discussion:
- Focus on the children
- It’s easier for them learn about themselves
- Finish what you start
- Cultural teachings
- Take a concept, focus, look at your own methodology
……….. | On Nisga’a Lands, primary and secondary students are served by School District #92 (Nisga’a), part of British Columbia’s publicly funded school system. The school board consists of four Nisga’a members (representing each Nisga’a Village) and one non-Nisga’a member. Nisga’a Lisims Government works in partnership with the School District to foster and protect Nisga’a language and culture while seeking to raise the standard of education for all Nass Valley youth. For more information, visit School District #92’s website: http://www.nisgaa.bc.ca/. | .. ………… |
About the Presenter:
Angaye’e, who is known as Shirley Morven, B.Ed – UBC, M. Ed – University of Washington, Chair Person of the Council of the Elders. Angaye’e spoke only Nisga’a until she was sent to St. Michael’s Indian Residential School at aged 10. She ended up at that institution because someone made a mistake in the spelling of a name. So a space was made for a female child instead of for the boy whose mother was terminally ill. She learned to read English when she was in Grade 7 and basically thinks in our gwaas algax.
St. Michael’s was not the only institution Angaye’e attended for her formal education. She is a graduate of Booth Memorial High School’s University Entrance Program. She received her B. Ed. in Special Education from UBC, her M. Ed. in Multi-Cultural Education from the University of Washington, Seattle, and the theory towards her doctoral degree in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her sister, Dorothy, calls her “Half a Doctor” because she did not complete this program.
Public service, the principles and edicts that are the foundation of Nisga’a culture which she learned mainly from her mother and from those mentioned above are what motivates Angaye’e. Hers is not a unique life. During her years growing up, and resuming her traditional learning once she left off with her formal education, is very similar to those of others in her generation.
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