Elie Fleury has been involved in education for more than 50 years. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Student assistance

Elder-in-Residence Elie Fleury making a mark at Northlands College

Nov 14, 2019 | 5:00 PM

“In life, you can lose everything you have, but one thing you can never lose is your education.”

That’s one of the messages Elder-in-Residence Elie Fleury shares with students as part of his role at Northlands College. He’s been in the position for three years now and he spends about 15 days per month meeting with students, working on special projects or attending special events. Fleury is often called upon to speak about issues Indigenous Peoples are facing, as well as teach university classes on Cree culture and Métis history when needed.

Fleury is expected to be present for orientations, graduations and recognition ceremonies and he often does the opening prayer at special events. While most of his time is spent in Air Ronge and La Ronge, he commits himself to also visiting campuses in Buffalo Narrows and Creighton at least twice per year. Fleury is open to counselling students on a number of topics such as attendance, dropping out of classes and more.

“I tell them I don’t believe in the word can’t,” he said. “If you want something, we can go for it and we need to recognize there are challenges, barriers in life, but they are short-lived. We can overcome those.”

Instructors with Northlands College often ask Fleury to do research for them or arrange special guests to speak with students. He stated teachers in the adult basic education program request his assistance regularly, along with those who teach Indigenous studies classes. For example, Fleury recently found a guest to come to a local campus to teach students how to prepare a hide from beginning to end.

the arts

Ulriksen showcases life and times of family with debut art exhibit

May 09, 2024

recognition

NSITEP student receives Order of Gabriel Dumont Bronze Medal

May 08, 2024

accomplishment

Northern authors winners at Saskatchewan Book Awards

May 08, 2024

Fleury, who is of Métis ancestry, was educated at the University of Manitoba and began teaching in that province in 1960. He taught at several northern communities for a while, before accepting a job as a superintendent of education for the Northern School Board (Northern Lights School Division) based in Prince Alert in 1976. Fleury spent a time working for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations as well, and he moved to La Ronge in 1996.

Students from Northlands College learn the step to preparing a hide. (Northlands College/Facebook)

In 1998, Fleury accepted a job as a director with the Northern Teacher Education Program until his retirement in 2010. He spent a period of time substitute teaching before agreeing to join the staff at Northlands College.

“I’ve been in education spanning 50 years before I retired in 2010,” Fleury said. “All but three years were in Aboriginal education.”

Overall, 96 per cent of students enrolled at Northlands College come from an Indigenous ancestry. The board currently has an Indigenization Strategy underway to ensure Indigenous ways of knowing are embedded in the institution.

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno