Educated at the University
of Winnipeg and armed with
degrees in Environmental
Studies & Cultural Geography
and Sociology & Philosophy, Carlos
began his career as a teacher at
Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School
in Sagkeeng First Nation, 120 miles
north of Winnipeg.
Today Carlos is a member of the
RHA family. He is the Director of
Information Technology at the school.
He also shares his experiences with
our grade 3 social studies class in
a program called Routes to our
Roots. Through the lens of identity
and citizenship, students study
the origins, history, wisdom and
traditions of our First Nations.
Students listen in rapt attention as
Carlos explains the hundreds of
tribes that make up the First Nations
people and the nuances of treaties
versus traditional boundaries. Most
Teaching a Global Perspective
Routes to Our Roots
Carlos James,
from the Ojibwe
people, was born in
St. Boniface and grew
up in Winnipeg's
inner city.
of all, the kids love Carlos'
stories about his reserve. They
have a favorite.
"Sagkeeng and Winnipeg are
separated by a river," Carlos tells the
children," and for a long time the
only way to leave the reserve was
by canoe. It was a treacherous and
sometimes deadly trip."
"What did they do?" two of the
students asked, almost in unison.
"My grandfather was a First Nations
Chief," Carlos continues. "Together
with others on the reserve, he led
the charge to build a road. People
could get food now. And they could
have access to materials that would
help them build their homes and
their communities. The road changed
the lives of the people."
The children love the ending.
Migwetch, Carlos. (Thank you.)
