Wider Horizons

One person can make the difference in the lives of our children. Billy Jo Woitte makes making a differenceher difference to many every school day.


The young crowd at St. Francis Junior High wiggles in their seats. There is a lull between performers at the school talent show as the next act sets up. Soon, the captivating sound of the Aboriginal drumming club fills the air. The students soak in the music, intrigued. As the drummers finish their song, the crowd erupts into ecstatic cheers. Billy Jo Woitte grins with pride. This–this is what she does it for.

Billy Jo Woitte grew up in the only First Nations family in a small, rural town in southern Alberta. With the support of her family, she left to pursue early childhood education studies at Lethbridge College. She admits her family felt segregated from their community. At the time, it seemed people had little interest in learning about their First Nations culture and making them feel welcome, especially at school. When she arrived at the college she discovered there were other people who appreciated her culture. Lethbridge College changed her outlook. She had new confidence in herself.

Today, she is the First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FMNI) worker at St. Francis Junior High. She works directly with FNMI students, helping them succeed in their studies and encouraging them to take pride in their culture. She truly appreciates the value of her role thanks to her own background.

“I strive to give First Nations students what I wish I had had in a school setting and what I feel I missed out on: the support and guidance I could have used as a First Nations student myself.”

A proud alumna from the class of 2000, she draws on her education at Lethbridge College for inspiration. Her instructors in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program taught her that making a difference with one person makes a difference in the world. She says she always carries that message with her, proof that Lethbridge College leaves a lasting impression on its students beyond a useful diploma.

“If I can make a difference to one student then I’ve made a difference, but my goal is to make a difference with all of the students I work with in some way.”

At St. Francis, Woitte has a classroom dedicated to FNMI education. It’s full of resources and a place for gatherings. She hosts a breakfast club, native beading and the very popular drumming club. The FNMI room is a place to celebrate the students’ successes and encourage them to pursue excellence.

Her classroom isn’t just for the 89 declared FNMI students at St. Francis. The doors are always open to everyone in the school. Woitte recognizes the importance of integration and focuses on bringing cultures together. She says many non-First Nations students and staff take part in their activities. “We need to have people come in and be with us so they learn about us and feel comfortable with us. That’s the way we are going to get our culture out there.”

Another big component of her job is encouraging good attendance, and this stems back to communication with parents. She encourages FNMI families to take part in school events and keeps them in the loop about what’s happening at the school.

While her title says she’s the FNMI Worker, Woitte says she works with the whole student population. She doesn’t believe there is a difference between student groups. She strives to break down stereotypes and create a welcoming environment for everyone.

“All students need a person they can count on and trust. So no matter who I am working with and what I’m doing, I focus on the individual.”

Woitte is an educator with a passion for changing lives. She says the students change her life too, teaching her just as much as she teaches them, and they create lasting bonds. She says, “Once you cross paths, you’ll always be part of their lives.” About this, she couldn’t be happier.

 

LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE AND FNMI CULTURE

Lethbridge College is located on traditional Blackfoot territory and has a mandate to support Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners in achieving their career and personal goals. With Lethbridge College’s assistance, many First Nations, Métis and Inuit students are achieving success on and off campus.

There are many support services for FNMI students at Lethbridge College, including the Piita Pawanii Learning Centre, which is an Aboriginal student lounge and study area, the FNMI Student Club and the FNMI Cultural Support Program that provides Elder services. Students also have access to career counselling to ensure their programs suit them and their career goals. There are also numerous funding, scholarship and bursary opportunities for FNMI students. Students can begin their search for aboriginal-specific awards on the college’s Student Awards website: www.lethbridgecollege.ca/awards.

As well, Aboriginal Awareness Days and other events throughout the year share FNMI culture with the college and the community.

For more information contact:

Robin Little Bear, FNMI Manager
Phone: 403.320.3202 ext. 3242
Email: robin.little_bear@lethbridgecollege.ca

Wider Horizons
Megan Shapka
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