June 20, 2022

For her exploration of Métis religion and spirituality in the essay Defining Métis Religion and Spirituality: A Historical Analysis, Carolyn Lawton has been awarded the 2021-22 Indigenous History Essay Prize.

Annually awarded to an undergraduate student who is enrolled in and produces an outstanding essay in one of the Department of History’s Indigenous Course Requirement courses, Lawton received the award for her analysis into the portrayal of religion and spirituality in Métis people by contemporary non-Indigenous observers and later historians. The essay was submitted as part of professor Ryan Eyford’s course, History of the Métis People in Canada.

“Historically, Métis people have been described as ‘caught between two worlds of religion,’” Lawton, a Métis student, explained. “So, they were really caught between Indigenous spirituality, which was traditional on their home lands and usually the women’s side of the family, and then there was the church that was coming in as settler colonialism progressed. But in reality, once I did the research and dove into a lot of historical documents, I found that whole ‘caught between two worlds of religion’ thing was not really true at all.”

Instead, Lawton demonstrated through her essay the ways in which Métis people formed a syncretic spirituality, with religious practices and beliefs that drew from elements of Indigenous and Christian spirituality that best suited them. “It’s very fluid,” Lawton added. “Any Métis person can be on a different spot on this continuum.”

Roland Bohr, co-chair of the History Department’s Indigenization Committee, said he sees Métis spirituality as an under-researched topic that presents unique challenges, particularly finding and interpreting information given how comparatively scarce information can be. Bohr lauded Lawton and her essay for its thoroughness despite the challenges. “Her essay stood out not only because of the uniqueness of the topic but also for how well the research and writing were executed,” he said.

Winning the prize for this essay is especially meaningful to Lawton as she felt a personal connection to the subject matter. Recently, Lawton has been reconnecting to her own Indigenous spirituality, which was an important part of her ancestors’ lives.

The prize is likewise meaningful as it has given Lawton a newfound confidence in her own academic ability. A second-year Education student with a keen interest in Indigenous studies and her sights set on high-school teaching, Lawton receiving the prize is a fitting result as Bohr noted the aim of the award is to recognize and encourage students who engage with Indigenous history.

“To put this amount of work into something and have it recognized by people who have been in the academic field a lot longer than I have, that definitely makes me think about pursuing a Masters or something after I get my degrees,” Lawton said. “That wasn’t something I maybe thought I could do before…It’s given me a push to show me that I am a really good writer and I can do more work like this.”

To contribute to the Indigenous History Prize, visit the UWinnipeg Foundation and type “Indigenous History Essay Prize” into the search bar to select the fund.

Media Contact

Jared Clinton, Web Content Specialist
The University of Winnipeg
[email protected] | 204.290.8251

NT5

June 20, 2022

MAPLE RIDGE – The Province is providing $250,000 to conduct a needs assessment of post-secondary education and skills training in the rapidly growing communities of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

“Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are two of the fastest-growing communities in the Lower Mainland,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “This needs assessment is the first step to understand whether students in the area have access to the educational and training opportunities that are needed for them to thrive and be prepared for the economy of the future.”

Kwantlen Polytechnic University will work in collaboration with other public post-secondary institutions with nearby campuses, including Douglas College, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, and University of the Fraser Valley, to conduct an objective and informed assessment of the post-secondary education needs of the residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

This provincial funding is part of the Province’s co-ordinated approach to address immediate and long-term workforce challenges across all sectors of the economy. The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training is developing a Future Ready Skills Plan that will help equip British Columbians with the knowledge and skills they require for the jobs of the future.

Quick Facts:

• The 2021 Labour Market Outlook forecasts that B.C. will have one million job openings in the next decade.
• Nearly 80% of these job openings will require some form of post-secondary education or training.
• According to the 2022 census, Maple Ridge’s population grew 10.6% between 2016 and 2021.
• This is twice the pace of the rest of Canada at 5.2%.

A backgrounder follows.

BACKGROUNDER

What people are saying about a post-secondary needs study

Marc Dalton, MP for Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows –

“Students are our future, and with this needs assessment, we’re investing in their future as well. A good education is a helping hand into a world of job success and post-secondary advancement. It shows a person their true potential.”

Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows –

“It is so great to see this project coming to life. As a former school-board trustee, I know the value of post-secondary education being accessible to people within our communities here in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, and across the province. This needs assessment will help assess training and education opportunities locally to provide a smooth transition into the workforce.”

Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission –

“Education and skills training can be a ticket to a good-paying job, and our government wants to make sure that as many people as possible have access to that. This funding will help determine how we can give prospective post-secondary students in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows the best opportunities to learn new skills and secure good jobs.”

Chief Grace George, Katzie First Nation –

“When we work together, we all benefit. Our young people must have access to the post-secondary or skills training opportunities they’ll need to succeed – and this needs assessment is a good first step as we identify what our communities need going forward.”

Mike Morden, mayor, Maple Ridge –

“There’s tremendous value in education, and I am pleased the assessment is moving ahead. Investment in learning furthers our city’s long-term goals of building a complete community, where everyone can live, work, play and get more education opportunities close home.”

Bill Dingwall, mayor, Pitt Meadows –

“As Pitt Meadows continues to grow, it is vitally important to consider the future of our youth and how to best facilitate their success. This needs assessment will give us a clear understanding of future needs and opportunities for post-secondary training closer to home, whether it be in the trades, professional training or academia.”

Korleen Carreras, chairperson, School District 42 –

“Students in our district are not only graduating at higher rates, they are doing it with distinction. At the same time, the rate of immediate transition to post-secondary for our students continues to fall short of the provincial average. We’ve heard from the students that the lack of access to post-secondary options in our growing communities is a real barrier for continuing their education. We welcome this important announcement and look forward to participating in the study and hearing the results.”

Contact:

Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training
Media Relations
250 508-5030

NT5