Evidence of meeting #31 for Status of Women in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Anne-Marie Gammon  President, Femmes Équité Atlantique
Angelina Weenie  Department Head, Professional Programs, First Nations University of Canada

5:25 p.m.

Department Head, Professional Programs, First Nations University of Canada

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.

5:25 p.m.

NDP

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?

5:25 p.m.

Department Head, Professional Programs, First Nations University of Canada

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.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

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.

5:30 p.m.

Department Head, Professional Programs, First Nations University of Canada

5:30 p.m.

NDP

Mylène Freeman NDP Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel, QC

I'd like to ask you very briefly about—

5:30 p.m.

NDP

The Chair NDP Marie-Claude Morin

Time is up.

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

5:30 p.m.

Department Head, Professional Programs, First Nations University of Canada

Dr. Angelina Weenie

Thank you very much.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

The Chair NDP Marie-Claude Morin

You can go ahead, Ms. Weenie.

5:30 p.m.

Department Head, Professional Programs, First Nations University of Canada

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.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

The Chair NDP Marie-Claude Morin

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

That wraps up our meeting.

Meeting adjourned.