Come to the north in Canada

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Home : 2003 : November : 19

Come to the north in Canada
By Carolyn in Paddle Prairie

This year I teach in a Metis community - last year a Cree reserve. It is nothing to have a child not attend half a year up here. Parents are not looking for work missed, if you send it most of the time it is not done -
although some will.
Last year on the reserve, children will often be gone with their families for a time in the fall and spring - hunting. Although there it was for food for the year - not for sport.
I am a second career teacher - and last year on the reserve was my first year teaching. I was idealistic - saving their work trying to catch them up and send it home. Reality bit really

quick and I would send it home, mark what came back and not bother with what did not. Hated it - but I had to focus on the students who did attend. At least this year my attendance is better but I still have a couple that have missed a quarter of the term already.
Good luck solving this one - would love to hear the suggestions on getting the parents work with the children at home - seems the ones missing the most are the ones who can least afford to be away.