恭喜Mii'tsakii Biik'saki （米切尔·安格）被选中成为2020年Guiding the Journey：杰出实践的土著教育家奖的获奖者。这个全国性的奖项表彰对社区教育作出重要贡献并尊重土著知识原则的土著教育工作者。

米切尔·安格是一位自豪的梅蒂斯人，她的家族来自曼尼托巴省的圣洛朗。从在萨斯卡通的奥斯卡亚克中学任教的第一年起，米切尔就致力于提高土著学生的成就和福祉。在她的职业生涯中，她始终展示出教学和领导实践和策略，彰显创新和卓越，对儿童、家庭、教职员工和社区产生了积极的终身影响。

米切尔的许多成就之一是在CBE担任尼伊西塔皮学习中心（NLC）：Niitsitapi li tass ksii nii mat tsoo kop（一个为所有土著人民学习的地方）的首任校长，对CBE的学生、家庭和教职员工产生了深远影响。NLC是由长者和社区设想成一个美丽的学习场所。作为校长，米切尔将他们的愿景变为现实。她的领导才能和慷慨使NLC成为一个充满爱、疗愈和学习的地方，每天都由长者和社区的智慧指导。正如长者和同事所说，NLC的成功是米切尔领导力、创新精神和对土著教育的承诺的直接结果。

“我为米切尔的仁慈和尊重感到荣幸。我知道她不仅是一位伟大的领导者，而且是我愿意与之合作的人，因为我信任她，她的家庭和教职员工也是如此。信任是一位领导者能够提供的最伟大的礼物之一。我们在NLC看到了学生和家庭的转变。我们继续见证着令人难以置信的变化和成功。这是因为米切尔对成功有着远见，并且相信只要你从心灵引领，任何事情都有可能。”

“在米切尔的领导的各个方面，她让人们聚集在一起。我们NLC学生对教育的第一次体验就是一个充满爱和关怀的体验，欢迎家庭、社区、长者和仪式。我们非常感激并为这些成就感到自豪，感谢米切尔的领导和热情。”

“米切尔认为土著教育的工作并不复杂。她说，‘这很简单，每个人都可以做到。’她最大的优点之一是她能够向他人展示她的意思。许多人告诉别人该做什么。米切尔向人们展示了什么是可能的。通过这样做，她打开了人们的心灵，引导他们追求创新和行动。她要求那些行动在年轻人的生活中产生的差异是显而易见、被认可和被庆祝的。”

在她目前和以前的系统领导角色中，米切尔还设计和主持了无数研讨会，支持教师和领导尊重和纳入土著知识、存在和行为方式到各个学科和学校/系统范围的政策和实践。最近，米切尔共同领导了CBE土著教育战略的重新设计，并为土著教育团队提供领导，与学校密切合作，将该战略在整个系统中落实。

当被要求反思自己的贡献时，米切尔分享道：“当我回顾我职业生涯中产生重大影响的时刻时，重要的是要承认我并没有一个人取得所有的成就。我的领导风格是合作和集体的，始终依靠团队的优势。我坚信我们一起做事情时会更好。我们每个人都有一个故事，就是通过我们的故事我们找到我们的目标。我有幸与社区的长者、教育工作者、合作伙伴和领导者一同走过，他们使我成为一个更好的人、教育工作者和领导者。我与他们一起分享这份荣誉。我们一起臂抱这项为土著学生而做的工作。”

米切尔对那些帮助她成为一个更好的人类和领导者的人的谦卑、尊重和爱的态度是为什么她被选中获得这个国家级的荣誉的典范。

米切尔和其他获奖者将在2020年11月25日至27日举行的虚拟Indspire全国土著教育聚会中受到表彰。

Congratulations to Mii'tsakii Biik'saki – Michelle Ranger, system principal for Indigenous Education on being selected to receive a 2020 Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Award for Innovative Practice from Indspire. This national award recognizes Indigenous educators who have made valuable contributions to community-based education and honour the principles of Indigenous knowledge.

Michelle Ranger is a proud Métis, whose family originates from St. Laurent, Manitoba. Since her first year of teaching at Oskayak High School in Saskatoon, SK, Michelle has devoted her work to improving achievement and well-being for Indigenous students. Throughout her career, she has consistently shown teaching and leadership practices and strategies that exemplify innovation and excellence, which have resulted in positive lifelong impacts on the lives of children, families, staff, and the greater community.

Among Michelle’s many achievements, her role as the first principal of Niitsitapi Learning Centre (NLC): Niitsitapi li tass ksii nii mat tsoo kop (A Place of Learning for All Indigenous People) has had a profound impact on students, families and staff in the CBE. The NLC was envisioned by Elders and community as a beautiful place of learning for all. As principal, Michelle brought their vision to life. Her leadership and generosity has led to the NLC becoming a place of love, healing and learning, guided daily by the wisdom of Elders and community. As shared by Elders and colleagues, the success of the NLC is a direct result of Michelle’s leadership, innovative spirit, and commitment to Indigenous Education.

“I am honoured by Michelle’s incredible kindness and respect. I know that she is more than a great leader. She is someone I would walk with because I trust her, and so do her families and staff. Trust is one of the greatest gifts a leader can offer. We saw a transformation in the students and families at NLC. We continue to see incredible change and success. It is because Michelle had the vision of success and a belief anything is possible if you lead from spirit.”

“In all aspects of Michelle’s leadership, she brings people together. Our NLC students’ first understanding with education is a loving and nurturing experience that welcomes family, community, Elders and Ceremony. We are incredibly grateful and proud of these accomplishments, and thank Michelle for her leadership and passion.”

“Michelle believes that the work of Indigenous education is not complicated. ‘It’s simple’ she says, ‘Everyone can do this.’ One of her greatest strengths is her ability to show others what she means. Many people tell others what to do. Michelle shows people what is possible. In doing so, she opens hearts and minds and orients people toward innovation and action. And, she demands that the difference those actions have made in the lives of young people are visible, acknowledged and celebrated.”

In her current and previous system leadership roles, Michelle has also designed and facilitated countless workshops, supporting teachers and leaders to honour and include Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing into all subject areas and school/system-wide policies and practices. Most recently, Michelle co-led the redesign of the CBE Indigenous Education Strategy, and currently provides leadership to the Indigenous Education Team as they work collaboratively with schools to bring the strategy to life across the system.

When asked to reflect on her contributions, Michelle shared, “When I reflect back on the moments that have made significant impact throughout my career, it is important to acknowledge that I have not accomplished anything alone. My leadership style is collaborative and collective, always drawing on the strengths of my team. I strongly believe we are better when we do things together. We all have a story, and it is through our story that we find our purpose. I have been blessed to walk alongside community Elders, educators, partners, and leaders who have made me a better person, educator, and leader. I share this honour with them. Together, we have wrapped our arms around this work on behalf of Indigenous students.”

Michelle’s humility, respect and love for those who help to make her a better human being and leader exemplifies why she was selected to receive​ this national recognition.

Michelle and other recipients will be honoured during the virtual Indspire National Gathering for Indigenous Education November 25-27, 2020.