While following links from my previous post, I found information about a program called Connected North that uses communication technology to reach students in remote Indigenous communities. The idea is to give youth access to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis role models that can help the students understand the applications of what they learn in school and give them opportunities for meaningful connections with professionals in a variety of fields as well as students in other locations. According to the site, a majority of teachers find the program helps engage their students. I am excited to read some more about this program and see if there is the potential to use this type of technology to help my soon-to-be first year undergraduate students prepare for university.
Thank you for this post Jacey! I think this is a great idea that could help a great deal of First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth. Being able to see and connect with role models is so important to making the connection between what you are doing in school and what may be possible if you continue to apply yourself. Many First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth, especially in remote communities, do not have those role models and that can make it more difficult to see the value of what they are taught in school. Indigenous youth being able to see other Indigenous people excelling in their various careers can be so impactful in opening up the world of the youth beyond their community and show them a pathway to achieve their own goals. Or even create new goals they didn’t know were possible previously.