MNO presenters at the Council of Ministers of Education, (CMEC’s) Educators’ Forum
on Aboriginal Education in Winnipeg; left to right: Scott Carpenter, Benny Michaud
and Dr. Chris Paci.
On December 1-3, 2011, at the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada’s (CMEC’s) Educators’ Forum on Aboriginal Education brought together a wide range of stakeholders in Aboriginal education, including educators, academics, government officials as well as representatives from Aboriginal governments and organizations, to discuss what works for Aboriginal learners in early childhood education and K-12 education.
Three Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) speakers presented at the CMEC Forum. Dr. Chris Paci, MNO Manager of Education and Scott Carpenter, MNO Manager of Projects and Partnerships and Benny Michaud, MNO Postsecondary Officer/Analyst, presented on the Métis Education Kit as a MNO resource that engaged learners and improved classroom practice. They also spoke about transforming educational pathways; in this part of the presentation they described the success of the MNO’s Moccasin Camps and the strong relationships the MNO has forged with community councils, school boards and the development of Infinite Reach: Métis Student Solidarity Network.
The Métis Education Kits were a big hit and the MNO speakers raffled off Kits to the participants and also presented a Kit to the Right Honourable Paul Martin, past Prime Minister of Canada, who was among the speakers at the conference. ” Being part of this Forum demonstrates a high regard for the MNO’s education programs,” stated Dr. Paci, “we were very pleased to be invited and have the opportunity to share the MNO’s success with educators from across Canada.”