I was interviewed for an article about Kahnawà:ke Day Schools. It turned out pretty great, well written and researched!
https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/kahnawake-indian-day-schools-1.5127502
Day School Research
For the past two years, I have been conducting research on the Indian Day Schools that existed in my home community (Kahnawà:ke). Initially, I planned to blog about my research process as I went along. Due to the sensitive nature of this research topic, the university ethics committee stipulated that I could not publicize information about my research until I defended my thesis. My thesis examination was on April 26, 2019 and I passed! The final thesis has been submitted and I will be graduating from Concordia University’s Special Individualized Program this Spring.
I created a page on my website about my Day School research to make some of the information in my thesis more accessible to community members and to the public. I added an appendix to my thesis with a chronology of notable dates and events pertaining to Day Schooling in Kahnawà:ke. I cite references in each entry to help interested parties locate the source. There is still a lot of information to dig up and analyze on this topic. I am continuing my research at McGill University in the Integrated Studies in Education PhD program this Fall (2019).
Now that I have passed the thesis examination, I will be adding posts to my blog about my research process. I hope that sharing how I tackled certain issues will help other graduate students and Indigenous researchers. For anyone interested in reading my Master’s thesis, I will post information on how to access it after my submission is accepted by the Spectrum database.
Niá:wen 🙂
Wahéhshon
First Post – Grad Studies Topic
Kwe Sewakwé:kon,
It has been difficult for me to get in the habit of posting regularly but I have emerged from the comfort of my quiet life to share some of my experiences as a grad student. Many other students ask me for help and advice and a few of them made me realize how much I have figured out (with help) along the way. I hope that sharing my experiences will help some of you with the struggles of university and grad school. Posting here, there is a better chance that the info will reach a broader audience. When I mention universities, programs, or any other resources I will provide as many links as possible to help you all out. I also added some additional info at the end of the post for those of you unfamiliar with some of the lingo.
In this post, I would like to start with an overview of my educational background. In 2013, I began my studies as an undergraduate student at Concordia University in the First Peoples Studies Program (FPST). I also have a minor in Anthropology. I completed my degree in the spring of 2017 with Great Distinction* and served as an Arts and Science Valedictorian (my speech is on the “video” page). There are currently no graduate degree programs in First Peoples/Indigenous studies in Quebec. Luckily, Concordia has an Individualized Program (INDI) that allows you to build a unique multidisciplinary Master’s or Doctoral program. I put together an Individualized Master’s degree grounded in First Peoples/Indigenous studies that merges education, anthropology, communication, history, and applied human sciences. My Master’s research is on the Indian day schools in my home community of Kahnawà:ke. I expect to complete this research and graduate this Spring, 2019.
I have received numerous messages and emails with questions about things like: FPST, scholarships, grad studies, student leadership, INDI program, grad school applications, choosing research topics, territorial acknowledgements, cultural protocols, Indigenous issues, and so on. As a graduate student, I have tackled some of the typical issues that arise and faced a few unique ones as an Indigenous person. After this initial post, I plan to write about each of these topics one by one. Note that I am not an “expert”, just someone who is willing to share my experiences in the hopes that it helps someone else.
In Peace & Friendship,
Wahéhshon (“She walks about”)
*Great Distinction (Definition at Concordia University, note that gpa is calculated on a 4.3 scale)
Access Nov 26, 2018: http://www.concordia.ca/academics/undergraduate/calendar/current/sec16/16.html
16.1.9 High Academic Achievement
A degree “With Distinction” will be awarded to students who obtain a final graduation grade point average (FGGPA: see §16.3.10 II.c) of at least 3.40 and below 4.00.
A degree “With Great Distinction” will be awarded to students who obtain a final graduation grade point average (FGGPA) of 4.00 or greater.
My last official day with Skátne Enionkwaió’ten
Today was my last official day at the Kahnawà:ke Education Center office as the Skátne Enionkwaió’ten Community Language Plan Coordinator. As a member of Tewaharátat Tsi Niionkwarihò:ten (community language & culture network) I will continue to work on Skátne Enionkwaió’ten on a volunteer basis, particularly to manage the Facebook page and website. I am looking forward to reconnecting with Mother Earth this summer and spending time on the land with my family but I am sad to be moving on from the KEC. My co-workers are incredibly professional yet our work atmosphere is positive and friendly. I will miss their smiling faces and encouraging words! They have all helped out with this project so much (Especially Darlene, Janice, Kim, & Alana).
This was the first time I worked with Cheryl Delaronde. I was blown away by how beautiful her graphic design work was for our language plan. Cheryl went far beyond what she was hired for and made her own personal contribution to this project.
I would like to thank our steering committee (Kawennanó:ron, Konwaronhiénhawe, Warisó:se, Tsohahí:io, Iakohsontí:io, & Ieronhienhawi) for their time and dedication to this project. They always had words of encouragement and appreciation for my work which helped to keep me going. Each of them has put their entire heart into language and culture work and working so closely with them has been inspiring!
It has been a pleasure to get to know Kaia’titáhkhe, one who has spent a lifetime teaching and promoting Kanien’kéha. Kaia’titáhkhe and Akwiratékha did a beautiful job with the translation! I learned so much from them and I really feel that this translation is one of the most advanced documents in Onwehonwehnéha/Kanien’kéha that we have. As a second language speaker, I am really going to cherish it!!
Our initiative Skátne Enionkwaió’ten was a dream of Kahtehrón:ni. She made sacrifices to launch this project while working full-time as the Kanien’kehá:ka Curriculum Developer and full-time PhD student. I