08/04/2020
Tansi/Hau,
I am writing this letter to inform the ITEP students, community, and family that I am resigning from my position as Director of ITEP effective August 15, 2020. I started my journey with the Indian Teacher Education Program in 2001 as a student when the ITEP staff consisted of Orest Murawsky, Yvette Arcand, Louise Legare, Mike Cottrell and Rita LaPlante. They were a staff of game changers dedicated to First Nation student success.
I would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Cecil King who in 1972 unapologetically helped to create space for Indians to have access to a Bachelor of Education without compromising their indigeneity. It was his strength that guided my leadership in ITEP, I merely followed the trail he created.
ITEP is not one person, it’s strength has always been the family that is created through the relationships we build in our program. That’s what College of Education can never understand about ITEP, that wakotwowin runs deeper than a student number, or budget line.
I wish to thank the ITEP staff and students for allowing me to serve as your leader these last six years. I have grown to appreciate how resilient ITEP students are, and how tireless ITEP staff work to support them. Resigning from the College of Education was an easy decision, resigning from ITEP was not. The staff and students in our program are the wishes and dreams of our ancestors coming to life.
In closing I ask you to continue to speak your truth, never apologize for standing up against racism, always challenge the status quo and know that your strength in post-secondary does not come from the Education Library it is your continued connection to decolonizing your journey.
Chris Scribe.