International Issues or American Issues?

While trying to decide which podcast to listen to, I chose the one with TJ Skalski.  I have done so much international research, but I wanted to do something a little more familiar and closer to home.  Skalski is the Principal of the Mother Earth’s Children’s Charter School (MECCS) in Alberta, Canada.  From listening to her speak, I gathered that she has not had the easiest life.  She was the 5^th Principal at this school in a period of 5 years.  She was the first to stick it out for more than 1 year and she stayed on staff, despite staff changing all around her, especially of superintendents.  She actually describes her first year as principle at MECCS as hell.  She speaks of the schools vision to reinvest in the children.  She wants to create a community where culture and language are at the forefront.  Most of the students that come through her school are damaged, feeling no worth, and have a lot of baggage.  This is where she steps in and tells her inspiring story of not being accepted.  Her mother married a non-aboriginal man and because of this had her rights taken away.  In 1985, she regained these rights back.  Skalski speaks of regaining her rights federally, but not within the community.  She shares her story with the kids as inspiration.

This podcast was very insightful.  Although slightly different, the core issues of acceptance are the same internationally as they are in America.  It made me think of biracial families and how they continue to struggle to find a place to fit in.  It is amazing to me that in our day and age, we still struggle with these issues.