Real-Life Communication
"Writing skills and the ability to be articulate are more dominant
culture values," says Brent Merrill. He is the public information coordinator
for a tribe.
Writing skills, reading skills and public speaking abilities
are important aspects of a tribal leader's job. However, other types
of communication skills are just as essential.
"The important part
of communicating as a tribal leader is to be accessible to the community,
to have a deep understanding of the community's and the individual's
needs," says Merrill. "Communicating means listening and having compassion
for others."
A woman has come into your office and voices her concerns
about the lack of Cree, a native language being taught in the school.
You're
busy preparing for a conference on the weekend, but remind yourself that it's
your job to help the people of the community. You put down your pen and listen
as she tells you her story:
"I'm worried about my children learning
the Cree language. It's being taught at the school by someone like me,
someone who doesn't speak the language at all but only understands a
few words.
"You know that our generation can't communicate fluently
with our elders in Cree because we were sent away to schools where we were
punished for speaking our native tongue.
"It worries me that the teacher
at school only knows a few words in Cree and is giving my children a minimal
education in the language. The children don't hear it at home. I don't
want to see them lose the language as I have done. It has been very hard for
me as an adult to try and learn the language.
"I want my children to
know their language. I want them to understand their culture in a way that
we never could. I want my children to be able to speak to the elders in this
community, and I want them to be able to pass this language on to future generations.
"What's
happening at the school right now isn't adequate. My mother and her friend
are willing to volunteer their time to go to the school and teach the children
their language. But the teacher refuses to let them in. I've spoken to
the teacher and to the principal. The principal says it's up to the teacher
to decide if she needs help teaching the language.
"I have a signed
petition from 10 other parents who are unhappy with the amount of language
teaching going on right now, and who want the elders to have access to the
classroom to teach the language. Is there anything you can do to help us and
our children?"
You see that this issue needs your attention. You can
think of a few solutions that may help resolve the issue, but know that you
need to talk with others first.
You will discuss her concerns with
the council and with the school. But before you do this, you ask the woman
a few questions to make sure you have the facts straight. What answers can
you find to these questions?
- Why does this woman's generation not speak the native
language of her parents?
- What is the principal's reasoning for not interfering with the teacher?
- How many people signed the petition?