Throughout the month of February, Goota Desmarais will share the diversity and experiences of Inuit people in Canada, the Inuktitut language, and traditional Inuit games (Supplied by PWPSD)

By Shaun Penner

Indigenous Speaker Series

PWPSD students learning of Inuit history, culture through Indigenous Speaker series

Feb 6, 2021 | 7:00 AM

Students in the Peace Wapiti Public School Division are getting a chance to learn about Inuit culture and history, as part of the division’s annual Indigenous Speakers series

Aimed at highlighting and promoting Indigenous leaders in the community, and across Canada, the program has brought Goota Desmarais to the division this month, albeit virtually, to present to students and staff across the division about Inuit culture and history.

Brigette Benning, the Indigenous Education Coordinator at PWPSD, says Desmarais brings over two decades of speaking experience with her, where she will be virtually sharing about the diversity and experiences of Inuit people in Canada, the Inuktitut language, traditional Inuit games, among many other topics.

“She just has so much to share about Inuit people, and culture, and way of life,” said Benning. “And a lot of misconceptions that people have… she breaks them down and she teaches kids in a really fun way.”

The division says Desmarais hails from Nunavut, and now currently resides in Sherwood Park, where she has spent the last 20 years sharing Inuit culture in the classroom setting.

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Benning says she is just one of the speakers the division is happy to have as part of the series, as students and staff alike, from all backgrounds, get the opportunity to learn about some of the Indigenous leaders in the community.

“It’s really amazing because we can focus on a lot of different topic,” said Benning. “We’ve had basketball players come in, we’ve had elders and knowledge-keepers come in, we’ve had people who are just finishing their law degree come in.

“We just find it a great way to connect students to the local community, but also the national Indigenous community.”

Desmarais spoke virtually at Whispering Ridge Community School, Beaverlodge Elementary, Hythe Regional School and Robert W. Zahara this past week. She will be presenting at the following schools later this month.

Feb. 11: Ridgevalley School

Feb. 16: Hythe Regional School (morning) and Clairmont Community School (afternoon)

Feb. 17: Savanna School

Feb. 19: Helen E. Taylor School (morning) and Beaverlodge Elementary School (afternoon)

Feb. 23: La Glace School (morning) and Spirit River Regional Academy (afternoon)

Feb. 24: Harry Balfour School

Feb. 25: Bezanson School