First Nations Voice: Rec and Read program

The December issue of First Nations Voice includes an article on the U of M’s Rec and Read program, which recently won an international award called the MacJannet Prize, awarded by the MacJannet Foundation. The annual prizes celebrate university programs that act as models of excellent global citizenship and civic engagement: programs that raise awareness and encourage community engagement within higher education.

The article includes interviews with participants in the program, which was started in 2005 by Joannie Halas, a professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. One student, originally from Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation and who has been with the program for six years, said that before starting with Rec and Read, “I wasn’t a very vocal student and didn’t speak in class much. Also coming from the reserve, I didn’t know very many students and spent most of my time alone at school Rec and Read made it easy to meet students who were in teh same situation.”

Read the entire article here.