Minnie McKenzie

 My name is Minnie McKenzie originally from Stanley Mission, Saskatchewan.  I am a NORTEP graduate with Bachelor of Education from University of Saskatchewan and Master of Education from the University of Regina.  Most of the university classes that I studied were offered at NORTEP in La Ronge and at University of Alberta (CILLDI).  I am honoured to return to CILLDI to teach EDEL 462/595.  The first time that I taught at CILLDI was with Laura Burnouf.

My job title at NORTEP is Field Coordinator and Instructor.  My main responsibility is to coordinate student placements at schools in the Northern region for pre-interns and interns.  My other responsibilities include:  Team teach EPS 215 and EPS 225; and teach Cree 101. 

My educational background began at home in Stanley Mission where I learned my first language Woodland Cree.  I studied English in school from Kindergarten to grade twelve.  In 1989, I was accepted to study Arts and Science at NORPAC.  In 1990, I transferred to NORTEP to pursue my degree in Education.  I graduated in 1993 and began my teaching career at Pre-Cam Elementary School.  In 2009, I received Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Regina. 

In 1999, I was hired to develop curriculum and work as a Woodland Cree Language Consultant for Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB).  Later, we formed a partnership with other organizations and I became the Site-Coordinator for Gift of Language and Culture Project (GLCP).  I worked for LLRIB and GLCP for twelve years.  There was one year in 2011 when I left the province of Saskatchewan and lived in Alberta. 

The foundation of my education and personal life stems from my family of Stanley Mission.  My parents John and Betsy McKenzie had eleven children.  My siblings live in Stanley Mission and La Ronge, Saskatchewan. 

I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge about curriculum development and Indigenous language revitalization.