Peals of laughter echo joyously in the crisp October air as over 20 elementary school children from Paqtnkek Education Centre, from the nearby Mi’kmaw community of Paqtnkek, run around, play and prosper on the StFX turf field as they learn to play the culturally relevant sport of lacrosse.
Their teachers—StFX human kinetic students—lead drills at several stations and stand ready in nets positioned around the field.
“Nice job! Awesome shot,” second year human kinetics student and national junior lacrosse champion Max Benham of Athabasca, AB, says as he kneels on the turf and high fives a young girl he’s been teaching successfully to score (‘bring this hand down, point at where you’re shooting.”)
The children from Paqtnkek Education Centre are welcomed to the StFX campus each Thursday for seven weeks in October and November, participating in Mini U, a pilot program organized by StFX human kinetics professor Dr. Amanda Casey that sees them come to campus every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SEE THAT THEY BELONG
While on campus, the students progress through scheduled activities that help them experience the campus and different elements of university life.
“They see all these different things and learn about university,” Dr. Casey says, “they see that they belong here.”
At the same time, StFX students who lead the sessions are learning more about Indigenous culture while acknowledging that the campus is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.
Dr. Casey says one goal of the program is to collaborate and build Indigenous services. Each day starts with a presentation (sessions include animal behaviour to business, climate change to X-Oceans) followed by lunch in the Morrison Hall cafeteria and then fun exercises with human nutrition students to learn about healthy foods. After lacrosse lessons, it’s back to the classroom for one-on-one tutoring led by StFX students.
The idea behind Mini U came about through a couple of avenues. Dr. Casey, who works with the community for individuals with disabilities through her Motor Activities with X labs, says she initiated it as an alternative to MAX programs she would have offered in the StFX pool, temporarily closed due to Saputo Centre renovations.
She also wanted to start a culturally relevant program whose purpose is to show potential first-generation university students what it's like to attend university. As StFX is working to Indigenize more of its course content (including lacrosse instruction Dr. Casey added), she imagined Mini U partnering with others across campus interested in promoting equity, diversity and inclusion.
“What excites me most is providing opportunity to experience what university is like, so they can envision themselves here,” says Dr. Casey.
“I’m a first generation university student. I learned about university though both sport and academics. That opened the door for me. I wouldn’t have known about it otherwise.”
She’s hoping to open many doors for the children, so they can see a path to university through business, nutrition, human kinetics, the environment and more. At the same time, the students are getting that one-on-one support that can help set them up for success.
And it’s benefitting StFX students leading the sessions. It’s teaching them how to become resourceful, how to be good teachers to under-resourced communities, and that they can be effective leaders. They’re also working to add culturally relevant content to their sessions. “Those are the educators you need.”
SO MUCH FUN
“This is so much fun,” says Mr. Benham, who is a student in Dr. Casey’s adaptive physical education class, a member of the StFX lacrosse club team, and a member of the Edmonton Warriors junior team that won last year’s national title.
“I’ve wanted to be a teacher for awhile,” says Mr. Benham, and “this helps them (the students) get a picture of where they want to go.”
Kailey Brennan is a fourth year human kinetics students who has been helping Dr. Casey behind the scenes, reaching out to connect with faculty and set up the program.
“I want to be a teacher. I love kids. I worked six years at day camps. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in their lives.”
She says immersing the children in this environment at such a young age is important. And the kids are really enjoying it. “They are showing their engagement through their participation.”
Mel MacFarlane is completing her dietetic internship at StFX and is helping organize informal activities that promote healthy eating and why some foods make for better choices. ‘I’m very grateful for the opportunity and happy to be a part of it,” she says.
CREATING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Jenna Pierce, a learning support teacher at Paqtnkek Education Centre and a StFX master of education student in the inclusion cohort, says the Mini U is a wonderful opportunity “to make connections between our community and the neighbouring community at StFX, to create relationships and to get to know each other.
“It’s wonderful for our students to have one-on-one support and to create positive relationships. The students are very excited.”
It’s also beneficial for the StFX students, she says, some of whom have already come out to the elementary school to visit. It helps the students learn more about Indigenous culture.
“It’s important at this age, starting so young, to create those relationships, which will hopefully be long-lasting at StFX.”
She says as the program grows, she is hopeful it will build more resources in their community, and already it’s attracting attention from different departments on campus and people wanting to become involved.
“I’m excited about the future.”
HAPPY FOR HOMEWORK
“The whole day programming is fantastic. They’re getting a little bit of everything,” says Sarah MacLaughlin, a Grade 1-2 teacher at Paqtnkek Education Centre who did her undergraduate and B.Ed. degrees at StFX.
She says the students often say lacrosse is their favorite part of the day, but surprisingly, so too is homework!
“I just like reading with my buddy,” students will tell her, happy to have the one-on-one attention.
Dr. Casey is looking forward to seeing Mini U grow.
In its first year, the program is working with minimal resources. Sodexo and the StFX Dean of Science Office is helping fund the lunches for seven weeks. As the program progresses, it’s providing opportunity for all partners to see where they can apply for grants and resources.
She is excited to see how it will expand its services to promote cultural awareness and inclusive education.
