Payette returns to principal’s role for M’Chigeeng First Nation school

By Sam Laskaris

M’CHIGEENG FIRST NATION – She’s back.

Well officially, Gayle Payette returns as the principal at Lakeview School, located in her community of M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island, next week on Monday Nov. 28.

Payette is no stranger to Lakeview School, which has about 150 students and offers classes for those in Kindergarten through Grade 8.

She previously worked at the school as a teacher assistant, teacher, and curriculum writer. Plus, she was also Lakeview’s principal for three years before leaving in 2020 to accept a teaching position at Wikwemikong Junior School.

“The decision to come back was based upon the needs of the community,” Payette said. “Sitting back and watching and listening to what’s happening in the local community on behalf of the students was kind of hard to take. And I find that being in the position before, I have the skills and the quality and the experience that is needed in the community on behalf of the students.”

Payette said some youngsters were the ones who convinced her to return to her former school.

“The deal-breaker was on Halloween night when I had students coming to my house and saying, ‘Mrs. Payette, when are you coming back? We need you back,’” she said. “That really tugged at my heartstrings, so when I saw the posting for the principal at Lakeview School, I said you know what, I’m going to give it a shot and see if I can make a difference for the students once again.”

Though she was only at the Wiikwemkoong school for a couple of years, Payette enjoyed her time there and felt she enhanced her career.

“I am very grateful to have expanded my professional experiences with the Wikwemikong Board of Education and will always treasure the memories that have been made with the students,” she said.

But now she’s looking to help out the school in her own First Nation.

“I’m in a good place to return to Lakeview,” she said. “I have different perspectives. I have always been in it for the students and I want to continue that way. And especially having  opportunities to make an impact in my own community, which is valuable. I believe I did that before and I want to it again because this is home.”

Payette said she has several things in mind that she would like to accomplish once taking over the principal reins again.

“I just want to make sure that the students are aware that I’m there for them,” she said. “I want to develop and enhance morale among staff. I want to boost positivity. I want to boost energy. I want to make sure that the families within the community know that I’m there for their students and that we’ll do whatever we can to help the students develop their own voice and identity.”

Payette believes it will take a bit of time to adjust to her new role and not being in the same classroom every day.

“It will be a big difference for sure,” she said, adding she will in all likelihood frequently pop into classrooms. “I like to have those interactions with students on a daily basis. Stepping into the admin role is going to take some change for me. I’ve done it a few years before so I know what needs to be done in that role.”

M’Chigeeng First Nation Ogimaa Kwe Linda Debassige is thrilled that Payette is returning to the principal position at Lakeview School.

“It’s always great to have one of our own members being a role model in the community,” she said.

Ogimaa Kwe Debassige also said Payette is well-known and highly respected in the First Nation, not only for her educational work but also as a hockey volunteer.

“The love she has for our children has been steadfast over time,” she added.