Nominations are have closed for the 2023 Outstanding Indigenous Educator of the Year!
The Outstanding Indigenous Educator of the Year Award is for a teacher, advocate and professional; who has made significant efforts in furthering First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education in Alberta. This person cares deeply about the success of Indigenous students, and has demonstrated leadership, and authentic inclusion of Indigenous voice and presence in Education.
2022 Outstanding Indigenous Educator of the Year Recipient
Terry Lakey is an innovative and dedicated teacher who has taught in Alberta for 25 years. In this time he has taught in public schools, a Metis settlement and was a consultant in Indigenous Education for Alberta Education as part of the Northwest Regional Consortium. His passion is to provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences for all students to learn and develop deeper awareness of Indigenous history, culture, perspectives, language, worldviews and contemporary contexts. As well as spending many years as a classroom teacher, Terry develops First Nations, Metis and Inuit classroom resources for Red Deer Public Schools. He is also sought after outside the district to provide inservices and help develop resources in other school districts across the province.
Terry advocates for and demonstrates authentic inclusion of Indigenous Voices in all of the lessons, resources, and projects he designs. He reaches out to local Elders and Knowledge keepers, as well as Elders and Knowledge Keepers from across the country. When he had a teacher request a lesson that would weave Indigenous knowledge into the grade six sky science unit, Terry reached out to Wilfred Buck. He sent him protocol and spent time learning from Wilfred, gaining information and teachings to incorporate into the sky science project. Another example is when Terry reached out to a Metis Elder, Auntie Fay, in Saskatoon to learn about the Metis community in Saskatoon so he could weave in authentic voice to the lessons for grade two students when they studied this community in Social Studies. Terry has positive relationships with several Elders and Knowledge Keepers in Central Alberta and throughout the province. He was instrumental in connecting with Philip Campiou when our district was looking to bring a new tipi to one of our schools that resides on traditional Cree territory. Terry connected with Phillip many times to ensure we were going to use the tipi in a good and genuine manner, learning the difference between ceremonial tipis and educational tipis and many other lessons along the way. Terry also connected with a Blackfoot Knowledge Keeper in Pikani to learn about the Blackfoot tipi that he brought to one of our schools on traditional Blackfoot territory. Terry often seeks out the moshum or kokum from the Red Deer Native Friendship Society to ask directions, and receive guidance on many different projects to bring authentic learning to students in Red Deer Public Schools. He takes time to build and nurture these relationships as he truly values the individuals and the teachings they share. These are only a few examples of how Terry incorporates authentic inclusion of Indigenous voices into his practice. There are many more examples I could draw on as he makes this a regular part of his practice!
Indigenous students across Red Deer Public Schools experience success in school. Terry is actively out in all of the schools in the district, from K to grade twelve, teaching and working directly with students. Indigenous students see him as a positive role model, they enjoy the lessons he brings alive in the classroom and their sense of pride is deepened as they see other students learning about their true history, cultural and societal contributions of their peoples. Terry recently spent his lunch hours at one of our high schools meeting the Indigenous students from grades nine to twelve. Many of the students recognized Terry from him being in their classrooms in middle and elementary school. When students see Terry in their building, their eyes light up and they are excited to see him. Terry is proud of the relationships he makes with his students. He always has kind and motivating words for them. Many of his past students stay in contact with him and share their stories and updates of how they are doing. Terry holds high standards for students in their behaviour, achievement and leadership and the students are eager to rise to those expectations. He truly is a mentor and role model who inspires students to be their best and achieve the goals they set!
Terry is a strong advocate for Indigenous education in our school district and across the province. Terry was chosen by his superintendent to serve on the Science curriculum review committee. Red Deer Public Schools was asked to choose only one teacher for the curriculum review and the district chose Terry as they knew he would be the best advocate for authentic inclusion of Indigenous content into the Science curriculum. Terry spent two days sharing his ideas on many areas where Indigenous content can be infused throughout the Science curriculum. Unfortunately, the feedback from Terry and the other teachers on the committee was very limited in its implementation. Terry’s advocacy was and continues to remain strong on improving the new curriculum and weaving Indigenous content into every area of it.
Terry has made and continues to make significant contributions to advance Indigenous education in Red Deer Public Schools and across the province. Terry spent two years working with the Alberta PD consortium. In this time he created resources for the province in teaching Indigenous games and incorporating how to use Indigenous games to teach Phys-Ed, Social Studies, and Math! This summer, Terry was invited by the Alberta Teachers’ Association Indigenous Education Committee to provide professional development to the PD facilitators so they could create a resource on teaching Indigenous games. Terry often is invited to present at Teachers Conventions and Educational Assistants’ conferences across the province. Several school districts also invite Terry to present to their staff. He is a sought after resource throughout Alberta because of his creative and innovative way of bringing Indigenous culture, history, perspective, worldview and contemporary contexts of First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures to life in the classroom! Recently Terry is working with the Zone Four First Nations, Metis and Inuit Advisory Committee to develop curriculum kits for Math and Science as a resource for teaching the new curriculums. Terry also develops resources for teachers in Red Deer Public Schools to teach about Indian residential schools, Truth and Reconciliation, Aboriginal Veterans, and Metis Week. This is in addition to all of the lessons and resources he develops for teaching curriculum from Kindergarten to grade twelve.
Terry’s contribution to advance Indigenous education in Red Deer Public Schools and Alberta is significant. Not only does he support the students he has taught over the years to achieve their best, to develop their passions and to be proud of who they are and where they come from, but he also builds the capacity of thousands of teachers in Red Deer Public Schools and across the province of Alberta. He truly is an amazing Indigenous educator. His passion, caring, drive and dedication to Indigenous students, all students and Indigenous education in Alberta makes him deserving of receiving this award.
Terry advocates for and demonstrates authentic inclusion of Indigenous Voices in all of the lessons, resources, and projects he designs. He reaches out to local Elders and Knowledge keepers, as well as Elders and Knowledge Keepers from across the country. When he had a teacher request a lesson that would weave Indigenous knowledge into the grade six sky science unit, Terry reached out to Wilfred Buck. He sent him protocol and spent time learning from Wilfred, gaining information and teachings to incorporate into the sky science project. Another example is when Terry reached out to a Metis Elder, Auntie Fay, in Saskatoon to learn about the Metis community in Saskatoon so he could weave in authentic voice to the lessons for grade two students when they studied this community in Social Studies. Terry has positive relationships with several Elders and Knowledge Keepers in Central Alberta and throughout the province. He was instrumental in connecting with Philip Campiou when our district was looking to bring a new tipi to one of our schools that resides on traditional Cree territory. Terry connected with Phillip many times to ensure we were going to use the tipi in a good and genuine manner, learning the difference between ceremonial tipis and educational tipis and many other lessons along the way. Terry also connected with a Blackfoot Knowledge Keeper in Pikani to learn about the Blackfoot tipi that he brought to one of our schools on traditional Blackfoot territory. Terry often seeks out the moshum or kokum from the Red Deer Native Friendship Society to ask directions, and receive guidance on many different projects to bring authentic learning to students in Red Deer Public Schools. He takes time to build and nurture these relationships as he truly values the individuals and the teachings they share. These are only a few examples of how Terry incorporates authentic inclusion of Indigenous voices into his practice. There are many more examples I could draw on as he makes this a regular part of his practice!
Indigenous students across Red Deer Public Schools experience success in school. Terry is actively out in all of the schools in the district, from K to grade twelve, teaching and working directly with students. Indigenous students see him as a positive role model, they enjoy the lessons he brings alive in the classroom and their sense of pride is deepened as they see other students learning about their true history, cultural and societal contributions of their peoples. Terry recently spent his lunch hours at one of our high schools meeting the Indigenous students from grades nine to twelve. Many of the students recognized Terry from him being in their classrooms in middle and elementary school. When students see Terry in their building, their eyes light up and they are excited to see him. Terry is proud of the relationships he makes with his students. He always has kind and motivating words for them. Many of his past students stay in contact with him and share their stories and updates of how they are doing. Terry holds high standards for students in their behaviour, achievement and leadership and the students are eager to rise to those expectations. He truly is a mentor and role model who inspires students to be their best and achieve the goals they set!
Terry is a strong advocate for Indigenous education in our school district and across the province. Terry was chosen by his superintendent to serve on the Science curriculum review committee. Red Deer Public Schools was asked to choose only one teacher for the curriculum review and the district chose Terry as they knew he would be the best advocate for authentic inclusion of Indigenous content into the Science curriculum. Terry spent two days sharing his ideas on many areas where Indigenous content can be infused throughout the Science curriculum. Unfortunately, the feedback from Terry and the other teachers on the committee was very limited in its implementation. Terry’s advocacy was and continues to remain strong on improving the new curriculum and weaving Indigenous content into every area of it.
Terry has made and continues to make significant contributions to advance Indigenous education in Red Deer Public Schools and across the province. Terry spent two years working with the Alberta PD consortium. In this time he created resources for the province in teaching Indigenous games and incorporating how to use Indigenous games to teach Phys-Ed, Social Studies, and Math! This summer, Terry was invited by the Alberta Teachers’ Association Indigenous Education Committee to provide professional development to the PD facilitators so they could create a resource on teaching Indigenous games. Terry often is invited to present at Teachers Conventions and Educational Assistants’ conferences across the province. Several school districts also invite Terry to present to their staff. He is a sought after resource throughout Alberta because of his creative and innovative way of bringing Indigenous culture, history, perspective, worldview and contemporary contexts of First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures to life in the classroom! Recently Terry is working with the Zone Four First Nations, Metis and Inuit Advisory Committee to develop curriculum kits for Math and Science as a resource for teaching the new curriculums. Terry also develops resources for teachers in Red Deer Public Schools to teach about Indian residential schools, Truth and Reconciliation, Aboriginal Veterans, and Metis Week. This is in addition to all of the lessons and resources he develops for teaching curriculum from Kindergarten to grade twelve.
Terry’s contribution to advance Indigenous education in Red Deer Public Schools and Alberta is significant. Not only does he support the students he has taught over the years to achieve their best, to develop their passions and to be proud of who they are and where they come from, but he also builds the capacity of thousands of teachers in Red Deer Public Schools and across the province of Alberta. He truly is an amazing Indigenous educator. His passion, caring, drive and dedication to Indigenous students, all students and Indigenous education in Alberta makes him deserving of receiving this award.