You see, First Nations Education is a small and intimate circle in Canada, and for as large as Canada is, the leading experts and people 'in the know' for First Nations/Metis/Inuit Education collect a lot of air miles with the travelling and speaking engagements in which they participate across our fair country. Several people's eyes popped out of their heads when they saw Greg. "What on earth are you doing HERE?" was uttered/stammered/exclaimed by them, and when Greg told them the quick and dirty version of how we came to be in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, they were amazed, but they understood. Sadly, it is a story that we are hearing more and more often about teachers in Ontario. No jobs means you go to the place that will give you one!
Anyway, Greg met up with some old associates from his IEC days, not to mention some vendors. Nelson Publishing was there flogging the books that Greg helped to get published that are legends from the Muncey Reserve, which is the reserve on which he worked outside of London. These levelled readers are available from the Kindergarten to Grade 6 level and were designed to teach children about some of their traditional stories and legends. Nelson was there to show other First Nations what they can do with their own legends to help carry on their culture. Greg had been telling some staff members about these books recently, and was able to pick up a copy of them and say, "See? Here's what I was telling you about!". That was pretty cool for Greg.
The other thing that happened is that everywhere Greg went, he saw quotes from and textbooks by a woman named Sharon Friesen. She is a professor at the University of Calgary and she has helped to developed the framework that the Ministry of Education in the NWT is using to improve education over the next ten years. Anybody in the field of education here in the NWT knows her and uses her name in hushed, awed tones. She also happens to be Greg's thesis supervisor for his doctoral studies. When various VIPs discovered this, their eyes bugged out of their heads! This means that Greg must speak with her on a regular basis - and he can soak up as much knowledge from her as possible. Wow!! Greg has really enjoyed working with and learning from Sharon over the years, but he had no idea how much influence she has in First Nations Education!
Greg has pretty well felt his whole life that he has been an observer, always on the outside looking in. He realized this about himself at fairly young age, and by his adolescence had come to terms with it. It is one of the reasons he is such a good listener and deep thinker. When you are always watching, it gives you time to think. (Incidentally, the name Gregory means Watchful.) When Greg was working with the Indigenous Education Coalition, IEC for short, he became very involved in First Nations Education, despite the fact that he was already working on his thesis which was about FNE, and he had taught on a few different reserves. The IEC, however, exposed him to various First Nations Organizations at both a provincial and federal level, and he had the opportunity to meet several people who are important in the field of First Nations/Metis/Inuit Education. He was aware each time that he met someone of substance, but he didn't realize that he was memorable to them, too. When the IEC had to cut Greg loose due to loss of funding, Greg figured his days of being on the edge of First Nations Education were over, so imagine his shock and surprise when he not only met some of these people, but they recognized him!
Greg has realized that when God closes a door, he always opens a window, and now that he is no longer affiliated with the IEC, he can build these relationships and further his career. Greg is memorable; he is worth knowing; and perhaps he is more on the inside of his chosen profession than he realized.
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