Transcript AlikA LAFONTAINE

Métis Physician
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
www.AboriginalPerspectives.uregina.ca
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Alika grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan
He is of Métis descent
He comes from a family of five children, of
which he is in the middle
He works for the Saskatchewan Health Region
Growing up, him and his family had a
performing group called the “5th Generation”
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Teachers: Take the time to review the Alika
Lafontaine videos and PowerPoint slideshow.
This is a chance to familiarize yourself with
the material and add any material you’d like.
Show students the Alika video clips at
www.AboriginalPerspectives.uregina.ca
Take your students through this PowerPoint
presentation.
Leave time for student’s thoughts and
discussion.
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The Faculty of Science has six departments:
Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics and
Statistics, and Physics.
The Faculty of Science offers programs
leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science
and Bachelor of Science Honors in all
departmental disciplines, Geography and
Economics, as well as the Certificate in
Computer Science.
Go to www.uregina.ca for more information
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Alika’s parents made the decision to homeschool him in grade 4 after he was labeled
with a learning disability and had months of
speech therapy.
The administrators at his school told his
parents he was unlikely to graduate high
school.
Turn to a partner and discuss barriers you
have faced in school and how you overcame
them.
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Though Alika was home-schooled his parents
still wanted him to socialize and interact with
other kids and this is a part of the reason
they started up a family performing group
called the “5th Generation”
Click here to watch them perform at the
National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
Awards
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One of Alika’s favorite subjects was Science
because he liked experimenting.
What he enjoyed about mathematics is “how
things made sense.”
Take a few minutes to jot down your favorite
subject areas.
Think of how you can connect your favorite
subject areas to a career choice.
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When Alika was doing his undergraduate
degree he thought about his many options
He thought about journalism and the idea of
understanding the stories of others.
He also thought about administration and
sciences as a career.
On a piece of paper, number it 1-5.
Record your top five career choices and take
some time to explore them online!
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Alika mentions in the video clips that his
Métis heritage influences his practice in that
he takes the time to understand his patients,
not just see them as numbers.
It is important to remember where you came
from and continue to practice your traditions
in your post-secondary career.
The next slide will tell you about a place at
the University of Regina where you can do
just that.
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Located in College West 117 in the College
West Bldg. at the University of Regina.
They provide cultural and traditional
awareness through use of elders and crafts.
They run an Aboriginal Mentorship Program.
They are there to help you transition into
university as well as to transition you out into
the work force when you are finished.
For more information visit:
www.uregina.ca/asc/
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How can you still stay connected to your
community and your culture while attending a
post-secondary institute?
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As you seen in the video clip, Alika shares
with us his experience of being on the show
‘Canada’s Next Great Prime Minister’ on CBC
television.
Take some time to watch the episode and
have a small debate in class – were you for
his ideas or not quite?
Click here for the link
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Alika is an accomplished physician, but
outside of work something that interests him
is federal politics.
This is how he views federal politics:
◦ A way for us to help our people
◦ A way to have legal power
◦ A way to create positive change
◦ Contact your local M.P. and find out how you can
get involved in your community!
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We asked Alika what a day in the life of his is
like – and as you have seen it is pretty busy!
Take 10-15 minutes to write down a day in
the life of you.
Take into account what time you wake up at,
school, social life, extra-curricular activities,
eat times and bed time.
After you have done this, take a few minutes
to imagine yourself as a university student.
Slot in times where you would fit homework.
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Commit yourself – sometimes as Aboriginal
students we are the first or second to
graduate in our families and it is a tough path
to pave.
Find someone who has already accomplished
what you want to accomplish and have that
person as your support person.