High school grads first to earn Indigenous Studies major in North Bay

By Kelly Anne Smith

NORTH BAY — Jade Goulais and Laura Lasalle are the first to graduate from St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School with a Specialist High Skills Major for Indigenous Studies. The graduates received their diplomas on the Capitol Centre stage on June 15.

Their teacher Tory Fisher of Nipissing First Nation wrote the curriculum for the courses for the Indigenous Studies major and teaches the courses. Fisher just finished singing in North Bay and was on the pow wow trail when he explained the new major available to high school students.

“Specialist High Skills Major is a variety of different courses for an individual pathway for students. Under the Specialist High Skills Major for Indigenous Studies, it’s under arts and culture. We have a First Nation, Métis, and Inuit curriculum,” Fisher notes. “They need to take a number of courses at the senior level Grades 11 and 12. And then they need to get three certificates, like first aid, CPR, or leadership. We do all of the instruction in-house and then the students have to do a co-op with an Indigenous organization. This way, it allows for them to learn their language and culture in the school. Also, they set themselves up for pathways for the workplace, a trade, college, or university.”

The Specialist High Skills Major is new to St. Joseph-Scollard Hall says Fisher.

“For our school, we have a few Specialist High Skills Majors. One is in environment and one is in arts and culture with the Indigenous focus and then the music program.”

Fisher says students have to sign up prior to Grade 11 to take advantage of the new courses.

“They start selecting courses from then. It doesn’t work for everybody’s schedule. Others might be on a different pathway and need say, Math and Biology,” Fisher explains. “For Indigenous Studies, they have to take, for example, a language course and they have to take two other courses: World Leaders and Beliefs, Values, and Contemporary Issues, and a governance course, too (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Governance in Canada).”

“We do have some specialized courses that we are offering as well, like a drum and dance course. They could take that and acquire those credits toward the Specialist High Skills Major,” Fisher adds. “Sometimes at the highschool level, it’s the first time getting language lessons versus someone like Jade Goulais – she’s had language since Kindergarten starting at Our Lady of Sorrows.”

Education is important so it is inspiring to watch the students succeed says Fisher.

“They are getting their language and getting their culture right through the school program. To see them be so proud, to come up and receive their diploma and on top of that to receive the Specialist High Skills Major that’s recognized for them,” says Fisher. “I never had that as a kid. Obviously, the Elders from before, that was not something. It was frowned upon. Now we’re seeing all the work from that seven generations of what people are doing. These kids are now benefiting from all of that work. It’s emotional. It’s a great emotion.”

Jade Goulais wrote to say hello and that she is a proud member of Nipissing First Nation.

“Aaniin, Wabanoo Kwe Ndizhnikaaz Niibissing Nation ndoonjibaa. While in high school, I began my journey of reconnecting with my culture and that is when Tory Fisher introduced me to the Indigenous Special High Skills Major. I was set to take a specific number of Indigenous studies courses that would not only give me a Red Seal on my diploma but allow me to heal mentally and spiritually, as well as reconnect with my Indigenous culture.”

Jade Goulais has a bright future growing cultural connections for others.

“I always had a passion for helping people with their wellness; however, it wasn’t until I met Tory and took the Special High Skills Major that I found my purpose. My purpose is to help other Indigenous youth find their culture again and heal. Next year, I am very excited to be attending Canadore College for Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention.”

Anishinaabe educator Tory Fisher couldn’t be prouder.