Experiencing Memorial Through The Eyes Of A New Student

This week, four high school teachers and principals from Labrador are aiming to experience Memorial University through the eyes of a new student from an Aboriginal community.

Dion Rideout is visiting from J.C. Erhardt Memorial in Makkovik; Tom Mugford comes to Memorial from Northern Lights Academy in Rigolet; Curtis Oliver is visiting from Amos Comenius Memorial School in Hopedale; and Juanita Skanes is in from Jens Haven Memorial School in Nain.

For four days, those intrepid teachers are living in Macpherson College, taking classes, riding the Metrobus, visiting the Marine Institute, meeting with the Aboriginal Resource Office and visiting community partners at the St. John’s Native Friendship Centre.

Memorial’s Aboriginal Resource Office has initiated a two-year pilot project recognizing the importance of developing relationships with Aboriginal students on the coast of Labrador well before they arrive at the St. John’s campus,.

This project will provide several opportunities to engage both high school students and teachers through site visits and ongoing contact throughout the school year.

This familiarization visit is one step toward helping ease students’ transitions from remote Labrador communities to Memorial’s St. John’s Campus and Marine Institute.