Status of Women Committee on April 30th, 2012

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

I can explain, from my own perspective. Our language gives us a different lens. We have a different aboriginal world view and philosophy, and that's what our foundation is. Our language, our culture, and those traditional practices are where the indigenous knowledge is. Our purpose is to promote indigenous knowledge.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

This is, in fact, having the effect of having more first nations students complete their schooling. Is that right?

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Yes.

My own grandsons went through that system, and they struggled in that system. One of the things I always say is that as long as you can give them a piece of themselves and they know where they come from and have a sense of belonging, they will do well.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

It sounds as if you're really producing leaders.

As elected representatives of the federal government, we really should be promoting things like this and helping your university with stable funding and things like that so that you can continue this project. It seems to be having a very positive effect on many lives.

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Yes.

[Mylène Freeman, NDP, Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC]

I'd like to ask you very briefly about—

[The Chair, NDP, Marie-Claude Morin]

Time is up.

We'll give Ms. Weenie time to finish what she is saying.

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, NDP, Marie-Claude Morin]

You can go ahead, Ms. Weenie.

[Dr. Angelina Weenie]

I just want to thank you for the opportunity to share with you. I can tell you that from my own personal experience as an educator and an administrator, in sharing with you my own vision of helping and of seeing our aboriginal people being successful and our communities thriving, we always come from that vision of things.

My own foundation is my own language and culture. I mentioned my language. I still speak Cree fluently, and that is my foundation. That's the ground from which I understand and interact with my world. I carry that message to the youth as well.

Thank you.

[The Chair, NDP, Marie-Claude Morin]

Thank you very much, Ms. Weenie, for joining us today.

That wraps up our meeting.

Meeting adjourned.