Answering the Call: Prioritizing Indigenous Languages in a School Division
Facilitate by:
Sandra Laliberte, Tammy Martell and Rhonda Smallchild
Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division
Sandra Laliberte was born in northern Saskatchewan in the village of Green Lake. Sandra has two grown children and three grandchildren. Sandra is a retired teacher of 30 years. Sandra is currently the language keeper at St. Michael School in Saskatoon.
Tammy Martell is a Cree consultant within the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division. Tammy holds a Bachelor and Master Degree in Education. Tammy started teaching in 2001 with experience in elementary, middle years and high school grade levels. Tammy was also a special education teacher, teacher candidate facilitator and a school administrator. Tammy is a Cree woman proudly fluent in her language. She grew up on Treaty 6 Territory, Lloydminster, SK, and is a registered treaty 6 band member of Waterhen Lake First Nation. Most importantly, Tammy is a mother of 3 sons and 4 grandchildren with a 5th grandchild on the way. It is Tammy’s goal to awaken and revitalize the gift of our endangered Cree language.
Rhonda Smallchild, a member of the Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation. A Cree Educator with a strong passion for the inclusion of Treaty education and Indigenous worldview. Experience in both traditional and western teachings, raised in her home community she was blessed to be surrounded by Cree speaking parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Currently, Acting Coordinator of First Nation, Métis & Inuit Education with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools but most of her career spent as a primary classroom teacher. Rhonda’s dedication to Indigenous education is deeply rooted in a responsibility to the ancestors that walked this land before her and the future generations to come. Rhonda is a busy mother of three beautiful children and a loving wife.
Sandra Laliberte, Tammy Martell and Rhonda Smallchild
Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division
Sandra Laliberte was born in northern Saskatchewan in the village of Green Lake. Sandra has two grown children and three grandchildren. Sandra is a retired teacher of 30 years. Sandra is currently the language keeper at St. Michael School in Saskatoon.
Tammy Martell is a Cree consultant within the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division. Tammy holds a Bachelor and Master Degree in Education. Tammy started teaching in 2001 with experience in elementary, middle years and high school grade levels. Tammy was also a special education teacher, teacher candidate facilitator and a school administrator. Tammy is a Cree woman proudly fluent in her language. She grew up on Treaty 6 Territory, Lloydminster, SK, and is a registered treaty 6 band member of Waterhen Lake First Nation. Most importantly, Tammy is a mother of 3 sons and 4 grandchildren with a 5th grandchild on the way. It is Tammy’s goal to awaken and revitalize the gift of our endangered Cree language.
Rhonda Smallchild, a member of the Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation. A Cree Educator with a strong passion for the inclusion of Treaty education and Indigenous worldview. Experience in both traditional and western teachings, raised in her home community she was blessed to be surrounded by Cree speaking parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Currently, Acting Coordinator of First Nation, Métis & Inuit Education with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools but most of her career spent as a primary classroom teacher. Rhonda’s dedication to Indigenous education is deeply rooted in a responsibility to the ancestors that walked this land before her and the future generations to come. Rhonda is a busy mother of three beautiful children and a loving wife.
Public Video
