- Indigenous Education Team -
Gina Williams - Indigenous Education Coordinator e | [email protected] Bio: I was born in Hay River, NT (originally from Pine Point, NWT), and moved to Yellowknife, NT when the Pine Point mine shut down. While growing up in the Northwest Territories I was raised to understand the importance of having a strong connection to the land, culture, and people. In my later years I attended the University of Lethbridge where I obtained my Kinesiology Degree, and then went to obtain a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Calgary. Since then, I returned to the North to give back to the community that helped raise me. I began teaching Do Edaezhe - a leadership and resiliency program - at Weledeh Catholic School (Yellowknife, NT) in 2012. I taught this program for 3 years, then moved into a classroom to become a middle school teacher. In October of 2019 I transitioned from a home room teacher to become the Indigenous Education Coordinator and RILE for Yellowknife Catholic Schools. I pride myself in the work our YCS team does to ensure the best for our students, staff, and families, especially in relation to Indigenous inclusive education. I am currently on maternity leave and am looking forward to returning to work to continue to advocate for implementing and maintaining Indigenous language and culture in our YCS schools and classrooms! |
Kristin Nowak - Indigenous Education Coordinator e | [email protected] Bio: Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, I moved to the Northwest Territories in 1995 to begin my teaching career at Lutsel K'e Dene School. Like many Northern stories, I intended to stay for a year but ended up falling in love with the land, the way of life and my husband and now, call the North my home for over two decades. I am a proud mother of four beautiful daughters, all of who have attended Yellowknife Catholic Schools. My family and I enjoy camping, being on the land and embracing the teachings of my in-laws who are from Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation. It is an honour to work for the Yellowknife Catholic Schools Indigenous Language and Education Program to help support our staff, students and schools to include language and culture as part of their learning. Mahsi cho to all my Elders and teachers who have helped me on this journey! |
Zakary Myers - Indigenous Education Coordinator e | [email protected] Bio: I was born in Thikanni Qua (Fort Nelson, BC) and lived most of my life as a west-coaster in the unceeded territory of the Coast Salish peoples on Vancouver Island. I am Dene on my maternal side and Euro-Canadian on my paternal side. I graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous studies and anthropology and a Bachelor of Education. Since then I have worked in many Indigenous communities advocating for Indigenous inclusive education. I am very proud of the work our team is doing for our YCS staff, students, and families. Mahsı̀ cho to everyone who continue to include Indigenous perspectives and worldviews in your classrooms and homes. |