Aboriginal Goals of Education in Lac La Ronge, Montreal Lake and Timber Bay, Saskatchewan: A Case Study

by Ducharme, Allan Andrew

The main purpose of this study was to determine if Aboriginal people prefer goals of education that reflect an Aboriginal or Western perspective in education. In order to do this Aboriginal goals of education first had to be compiled. This study also investigated perspective differences within the Aboriginal community itself. The sub-categories of people in this study were: i) generational (age) differences; ii) level of education differences; and iii) gender differences.

The study was conducted in the Aboriginal communities of La Ronge, Montreal Lake and Timber Bay, Saskatchewan. Fifteen respondents were of Cree ancestry. One respondent was of Dene ancestry. There were eight men and eight women. The respondents were asked to rank a mix of Aboriginal goals of education and Saskatchewan Education goals of education. They were then interviewed to ascertain the reason(s) for their choices. The ranking exercise and the interview were equally important features of this study.

It was concluded that Aboriginal people would choose Aboriginal goals of education when given the opportunity. The reasons for their choices seem to be rooted in their past experiences and their hopes that their children will have a culturally more beneficial andsuccessful experience. It was also concluded that a Western perspective in education has not completely been discounted.