LARA TAI
REPORTER-EDITOR
Frances Sanderson, is the Executive Director and Aboriginal Consultant for George Brown College. “I have been in this position at George Brown College for almost twenty years.”
She recalls a time when she was on the picket lines fighting for Aboriginal rights but now she is working hard as a director and consultant in the educative system at GBC as well as the Toronto Police Department and City of Toronto to create awareness through Indigenous centered programs. In addition to this she has created a housing organization based in Toronto called Nishnawbe Homes Inc. She discusses what student life was like when she was in school and how that has changed in 2020.
“[Student life] has changed in so many ways… Back in the sixties our [indigenous] people didn’t go past the eight grade in school because… there were a whole bunch of penalties for going to school and trying to get an education so it changed greatly. Now they can go to school and they have their own indigenous education centre.”
Frances says she sees more and more aboriginal students taking part and having strong educational goals to build up their community. The strides made by GBC to help is that they have increased staff, faculty, funding and bursaries for Indigenous students to continue their education. “It’s nice to be accepted so openly and honestly by the school.”
Once upon a time the only requirement was english and math but now students are choosing diversified fields in science, technology, fashion, engineering, culinary arts, construction and fashion and much more.
She believes education is the strongest way to free them up and get them out into the community and into better jobs. Education can help students to cast away the baggage done in that last 500 years. “There was a time when I went to school when you needed a junior and senior matriculation and we are trying to instill that you must stay in school and finish and graduate. [In society] we need Aboriginal students to get skills training and each one is important and necessary in their own way.”
When asked how Frances sees herself she replied, “I want to be seen as of Aboriginal descent and as a person. I think the only way we can grow is by sharing what we know, who we are, and where we came from because it is very rich”
She as well as the faculty and staff of GBC are hoping the new Indigenous Student Center will be that beckon of light to Indigenous students on campus to achieve their educational goals and find strength and support from their community.
Frances Sanderson is a strong woman who believes that education is a primary directive to support Indigenous students of George Brown College and she has more in store.
