Far North Friday #1: The Children Are The Future
We heard the statement many times: “the children are the future”.
One of our favourite activities when we visited a remote Far North First Nation community was to stop by the on-reserve school. We always had some sort of science-based activity "in our pocket". We would approach the Principal, or head of the Education Authority, and offer to share that activity if it met their education interests. We worked with the classroom teacher. We tried to meet their learning outcomes. When possible, we would work with a community elder or colleague in the school. After all, we were guests in the school.
Over time, it became a welcomed "standing agenda" to visit the local school.
Our activities were as a-political as we could make them. But, we could not - nor would we try - change the way some would interpret our intents. Example, geology was often equated with mining. Geology is the study of the Earth, geological processes, the rocks, soils, and earth resources, and the application of that knowledge to inform decisions related to the environment, health and safety, impact of climate change, engineering decisions like winter road pathways, geochemical baselines, plant and animal habitats, biodiversity, and ultimately land-use planning.
Perhaps my memory fails me, but I don't recall that any school turned down the opportunity to have someone new work with the kids on some type of hands-on science activity. Kids, regardless of culture or race, have boundless passion to learn.
We were not trained teachers / educators and I know some sessions were pretty bad. But, it was a bit like being a grandparent. You had all the fun with energized youth, but you did not have to manage that energy after you left. My apologies to the educators we left with their hands full.
I think former Chief Russell Wesley, Cat Lake First Nation, described this activity in one of the more appealing ways - "the softer side of Government".
This photo, composed on February 6, 2002, by my Ontario Geological Survey colleague Lori Churchill, is one of my favourites. This was the kindergarten class at the Henry Coaster Memorial School, Marten Falls First Nation. We were engaged in an activity - up close and personal! That was a long time ago - more than a life time ago in dog years. I often wonder about the children and how they are doing now.
Sharing and listening to the elementary school kids at the Henry Coaster Memorial School, Marten Falls First Nation. We were looking at minerals, like the “window mineral” (aka quartz). Photo composed by Lori Churchill, Feb 6, 2002.
Andy Fyon, Aug 16, 2020 (Facebook, January 3/20); Jan. 2/23