Half Breeds = Twice the work?

As a thirty something woman I am finding I now have the confidence to feel comfortable embracing both the native, and non-native side of my heritage. I find both backgrounds showcase the best of me. The Scottish and Native sides are amazing, vibrant, strong cultures and by extension people.

I am comfortable entering a boardroom and negotiating with a bunch of suits, and I am comfortable pulling out my button blanket and dancing in the big house.

This did not happen over night, and I have had to face much discrimination from both sides. Growing up I was to white looking to fit in on the Rez, and in school I was informed that being 'slow' was what happens when your native. Of course the fact I wasn't slow and a good student did nothing to dispel this 'slow native' image teachers and administrators saw.

As a parent, I want to protect my daughter from what I went through, but I also want her to have the strength of character to fight the stupid people out there. If I could somehow give her the confidence I have now, without the troubles I would be happy.

I feel some days that I am still raising myself, so I worry about how skilled I am at raising her.

When I was at university, I was taken out of my classes I signed up for an put into "library skills", "English for non-English speaker" etc. I have an IQ of 136, and was on the honour roll in public school. When I went to get this 'oversight' fixed, the registrar clerk very sweetly, and with great sympathy, patted my arm and said "It's not your fault hon, your whole race is slow".
As a teenager this was shocking, and horrific to face. I think about how I would react to someone saying this to my daughter, and I wonder if I should start a savings account to be able to post my own bail.

I wonder how we raise our children to be stronger then ourselves, and still protect or train them to deal with the horrors?

Parental Ponderings

So a lot of my time lately has been spent on trying to raise my daughter, thinking about raising my daughter, worrying about raising my daughter.
I am lucky enough to have a beautiful, intelligent, amazing young woman whom I love so much, and am daily thankful for the opportunity to help raise her.
But, have you ever stopped to wonder how its going. There is so much we need to teach our kids, so they can make smart choices, make their beds, make their lives, and we have to give them tools.
Tonight though, I was wondering, when do we teach them to jump? That sometimes its okay to make the stupid choice, to follow that boy to Europe, or spend all your money on a painting or trip instead of on your bills. Yes, we have to teach them the responsibility. But there is so much more then that.
I want my daughter to not be afraid of the world, I want her to embrace it, and see it all, taste life.
Its amazing how much becoming a parent changes you. I have a good life, I want her to have a great life.

State of emergency declared in 10 First Nations in Manitoba

With winter wanning across the country, Manitoba's northren Indigenous population is calling for help.

Winter roads that include driving across frozen lakes have be shut down much earlier this year. These winter roads provide drivable access to otherwise cut off reservations. Large semi-trucks bring in the years worth of supply during the short months the roads are open. Fuel, water, food are all now in short and rapidly diminishing supply.

The government is trying to coordinate air drops of supplies to these ten reserves, but will it be enough?

With global warming becoming more evident each year, how do we work to prevent this from happening next year?

visit cbc.ca/aboriginal for more information about this situtation

BC Government Indigenous Internships for Youth

Below is a notice I received for the 2010/2011 Indigenous Internships with the BC Government. I firmly believe the best way to fight government is to learn how it works from within. Find the pieces that need to be fixed, and fix them. A nine month job within the BC government would enable people to see how government works. Most people in the government are there to do good, but sometimes they need to be shaken up a little.
I think an influx of Indigenous youth would be a great thing to see in the BC provincial Government.
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BC’s Public Service’s

Aboriginal Youth Internship Program

CALL FOR INTERN APPLICATIONS IS OPEN!

Our Intern Job Posting is now up for the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program, 2010/11 program year. Deadline to apply is Friday, May 14, 2010.

The Aboriginal Youth Internship program offers an innovative, 12 month paid internship program ($1,564.13 Bi-weekly) that is culturally responsive and supported. Successful candidates will work for 9 months in a government Ministry followed by 3 months in a selected Aboriginal organization. Program starts September 07, 2010 and runs to August 26, 2011.

As an Aboriginal Youth Intern, you will learn many aspects of public service and provincial government processes, participate in workshops/events across the province, develop your leadership and professional skills, develop strong research & cohort bonds, and create a path for your future career development. You will also have an opportunity to help build the New Relationship and make positive differences for Aboriginal people and communities across the province.

Some of the exciting areas you may be working in include: Ministry specific Aboriginal projects and work assignments; program development; policy analysis and development; youth engagement; Aboriginal community liaison; event and conference coordination; project management; communications; community needs assessment; framework and strategy development, etc. You will also learn about provincial government political, legislative, and budget processes. We have a variety of placements available in several Ministries across the province.

We're looking for youth who communicate well, have strong writing and research skills, embrace learning opportunities, enjoy new challenges and are engaged in their Aboriginal, youth or academic communities.

To apply for the program, you must be:

--Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, Inuit)

--29 years of age or under as of September 7, 2010

--Residing in BC

You must also have:

--A minimum of grade 12 with some post-secondary education or equivalent work, life and education experience;

--Leadership aptitude or experience, either through work or volunteering; and

--Good knowledge of Aboriginal governments/organizations and the Aboriginal population that you represent (i.e. First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Métis Nation BC, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, others).

PROCESS FOR APPLYING

1. Go to our program website for an overview of the program: http://employment.gov.bc.ca/index.php?p=Aboriginal_Youth_Internship_Program&rLoad=1

2. Once you review, go to the job posting: http://www.employment.gov.bc.ca/index.php?view_posting=OU000682

3. Click on the link that says: Apply for this job.

4. Fill in the online form.

5. Submit your resume and cover letter electronically. In your cover letter, state your three top Ministries of interest (list available on the site).

6. Submit your two Letter of Reference Forms (Fax to Amanda Horncastle at 250-387-0749)

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Friday, May 14, 2010.

If you have questions about the program, please contact me or Allison Beardsworth, Program Coordinator at 250-356-7949.

If you have questions about the applications process, please contact Amanda Horncastle, Program Administrator, at 250-387-0460. Please note Amanda is away until Friday, March 26.

I also want to encourage all eligible Aboriginal youth to apply. Each year is a new year, and we have more placements available across the province that will meet more youth's specific qualifications, interests, skill sets, and career choices!

Join our great crew for year 4!

Sasha

Sasha Hobbs, MA, Program Lead, Aboriginal Youth Internship Program

The Learning Centre | Talent Management Division | BC Public Service Agency

Third Floor, 810 Blanshard St. | Victoria, BC | V8W 2H2 | Blackberry 604-765-3193

http://employment.gov.bc.ca/?p=Aboriginal_Youth_Internship_Program