Debbie Michael - The Persistence to Create Change

The duo dug into why Michael does what she does and the impact of residential schools on students in Canada. “It just comes down to the kids,” Michael said. “I can’t even begin to capture what that means for me. I love the kids, and it’s always been about the kids. I think working with teachers, other principals, working with the parents, it’s all of that. When we’re all working toward doing the same thing, and that’s making lives better for our children, so they have a better chance to reach their dreams and goals, it’s the best of both worlds.” Michael has spent her career in residential schools, which is also very important to her. At one time, those living on Canadian reservations were forced out of their homes as the push to segregate first nations peoples occurred. Children were forced into residential schools where they lost their identities, connection to family, and culture. “If you can imagine, five and six-year-olds being taken out of their homes, away from their parents,” Michael said, “and put into a school system that was run by different priests ... and they were taken out of their homes, no longer able to speak to their language, or practice their culture. It was a very traumatic time for many of these children.”

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