Elder Florence Kelly’s Advice

For my final post in the ETEC 521 blog, I wanted to share some words I found while doing research for my paper. This is Elder Florence Kelly’s Advice to the Newly Elected Executive of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Council, March 21, 2009, as cited in Jacqueline Skytt’s “A White Woman Learns the Way” in the Alberta Teacher’s Association magazine.

• Be kind. The children need kindness and love. This is how they will get better.
• Be patient. This is a long road. There are many struggles. The children need you to be in it for the long term.
• Be humble. My grandmother taught me this. Never boast about your good deeds. This takes away from the goodness you are trying to do.
• Be honest. Our children have been lied to many times. They need people to be truthful with them

Words to live by, First Nations or not.