MNO citizen Thomas Doherty (centre) being presented the Innovative Practice
Award by Sonia Prevost-Derbecker (left) and Roberta L. Jamieson (right) of
Indspire. (Photo: Darrin Potter)Submitted by Jade Bourbonnière, MNO Education and Training Operations Coordinator
On November 13, Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) citizen Thomas B. Doherty received the Innovative Practice Award during the 2015 Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Awards gala in Calgary, Alberta.
Indspire, an Aboriginal-led registered charity that invests in the education of Aboriginal people, presented Doherty with the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Aboriginal education.
In the past, Doherty received MNO assistance near the end of his studies at Lakehead University. Upon receiving his diploma, he accepted a one-year teaching position with the Peetabeck Education Authority in Fort Albany. The following year, he accepted a permanent teaching position with the Kenora Catholic District School Board at St. John School in Red Lake.
One of the teaching assignments Doherty is particularly proud of his Ojibwa language classes. He enjoys bringing the Ojibwa language and culture into the school and creating student-led projects such as “Books of Life,” “Daisies for Diabetes” and “Artistic Hands Lead to Helping Hands.”
Doherty recently received his Master of Education (Leadership) degree from Western University. He is an active member of his community and enjoys spending time with his wife Cori and their four boys: Spencer, Graeme, Ryder and Carter.