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Ahniin, Boozhoo Kina Waya,
My name is Vicki Monague, my spirit name is Mzhakdo Kwe and I am Ojibwe-Potawattami of the Wolf Clan. I am a status member of the Beausoleil First Nation, Christian Island, Ontario.
Currently, I am enrolled in full-time studies at Georgian College, Barrie campus taking Anishinaabemowin Language Programming. This is a 2 year course that offers over 10 hours of Ojibwe language immersion per week. We are currently in mid-terms and I am happy to report that I am maintaining an average of 90%.
I am single mother of three children, Calista, Xavier and Dominique. Most of you know me as one of the lead organizers of the Manidoo Gaaming Water Walk and a social movement known as Site 41 (where the development of a landfill on a pristine aquifer was permanently stopped in Tiny Township). I also served for 2 years as the South East Region Water Commission for the Union of Ontario Indians and a member of Council from 2012-2014 for my First Nation Community. I also volunteer with a number of different local area First Nations organizations and agencies in mental health, addictions and family advocacy programs.
My post-secondary education is currently NOT funded through my First Nations post-secondary education program or through the Ontario Student Assistance program. While funding is expected in the coming semester, I need to fundraise to pay this semesters tuition, all other expenses I am paying for out of pocket, such as parking, books and transportation. My family and I have already paid $500 towards the costs of tuition. The deadline for this to be paid to Georgian College is December 16th, 2016.
My children and I have been through alot in the past two years. For us, taking this course represents a new directions and focus in our family life. For the past year, I have been working with local language speakers to try to learn what I could, but it occurred to me in the last 6 months that if I want to become fluent in Anishinabemowin, that I would have to build my life (and subsequently OUR life) around it. That I would have to live and breathe Ojibwe from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. Then this program was offered this. This program is only offered every other year at Georgian College. I was able to apply and everything happened quite rapidly after that. One of the biggest barriers to employment for me was lack of education through a recognized post-secondary institution. All of the experience that I have is life and work based experience. Being in school full-time has really unlocked alot of doorways for me and I am planning to pursue continued studies in an undergrad program after the completion of this course.
From the bottom of our hearts, my children and I thank you for reading our story. All donations are appreciated.
Miigwech,
Vicki, Calista, Xavier & Dom
My name is Vicki Monague, my spirit name is Mzhakdo Kwe and I am Ojibwe-Potawattami of the Wolf Clan. I am a status member of the Beausoleil First Nation, Christian Island, Ontario.
Currently, I am enrolled in full-time studies at Georgian College, Barrie campus taking Anishinaabemowin Language Programming. This is a 2 year course that offers over 10 hours of Ojibwe language immersion per week. We are currently in mid-terms and I am happy to report that I am maintaining an average of 90%.
I am single mother of three children, Calista, Xavier and Dominique. Most of you know me as one of the lead organizers of the Manidoo Gaaming Water Walk and a social movement known as Site 41 (where the development of a landfill on a pristine aquifer was permanently stopped in Tiny Township). I also served for 2 years as the South East Region Water Commission for the Union of Ontario Indians and a member of Council from 2012-2014 for my First Nation Community. I also volunteer with a number of different local area First Nations organizations and agencies in mental health, addictions and family advocacy programs.
My post-secondary education is currently NOT funded through my First Nations post-secondary education program or through the Ontario Student Assistance program. While funding is expected in the coming semester, I need to fundraise to pay this semesters tuition, all other expenses I am paying for out of pocket, such as parking, books and transportation. My family and I have already paid $500 towards the costs of tuition. The deadline for this to be paid to Georgian College is December 16th, 2016.
My children and I have been through alot in the past two years. For us, taking this course represents a new directions and focus in our family life. For the past year, I have been working with local language speakers to try to learn what I could, but it occurred to me in the last 6 months that if I want to become fluent in Anishinabemowin, that I would have to build my life (and subsequently OUR life) around it. That I would have to live and breathe Ojibwe from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed. Then this program was offered this. This program is only offered every other year at Georgian College. I was able to apply and everything happened quite rapidly after that. One of the biggest barriers to employment for me was lack of education through a recognized post-secondary institution. All of the experience that I have is life and work based experience. Being in school full-time has really unlocked alot of doorways for me and I am planning to pursue continued studies in an undergrad program after the completion of this course.
From the bottom of our hearts, my children and I thank you for reading our story. All donations are appreciated.
Miigwech,
Vicki, Calista, Xavier & Dom
Organizer
Vicki Monague
Organizer
Penetanguishene, ON
