Sandra Lamouche, who is First Nations, Metis and Inuit success co-ordinator for Livingstone Range School Division in addition to being a hoop dancer, received an Esquao Award last month.
Sandra Lamouche, who is First Nations, Metis and Inuit success co-ordinator for Livingstone Range School Division in addition to being a hoop dancer, received an Esquao Award last month.
Sandra Lamouche was honoured recently for her leadership and work in education.
Lamouche, who is First Nations, Metis and Inuit
success co-ordinator for Livingstone Range School Division, received an Esquao Award from the Institute
for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women.
“I am very humbled to be receiving this award,” Lamouche said. “Working in education can be difficult but we do this work because we want to make a difference in the world.”
“My vision for our FNMI students is that they would surpass any goals, hopes or dreams that I or anyone else has for them, including themselves. I truly believe that the possibilities are unlimited for them.”
The Esquao Awards recognize aboriginal women as community champions and the important role they play in building strong communities.
“Sandra has been, and continues to be, an integral member of the Livingstone Range School Division and all of the communities we serve,” Livingstone Range superintendent Darryl Seguin said.
Lamouche graduated from the University of Lethbridge in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies.
Lamouche is completing her Master’s degree from Trent University.
Since 2012 Lamouche has worked in various roles in Livingstone Range, including as a Child and Youth Care Worker for W.A. Day and F.P. Walshe schools in Fort Macleod before being promoted to First Nations, Metis, and Inuit success co-ordinator.
“Sandra’s promotion to FNMI success co-ordinator is no surprise,” Seguin said. “She is able to bring out the best in everyone she has contact with. She leads by example, and continually strives to meet her own high expectations.”
“Sandra easily establishes positive, trusting relationships within our schools and surrounding communities and has been instrumental in our success with not only our First Nations students, but all students.”
Lamouche has worked throughout Livingstone Range School Division, providing tools and resources for teachers and schools to be successful and to build relationships within schools, communities, and the wider society.
Lamouche created and supports new initiatives like the Seven Traditional Teachings from the Blackfoot perspective, Kiihtsipimiota’si (Young Painted Horse), local school drum and dance groups, and organized and facilitated First Nations, Metis, and Inuit celebrations throughout Livingstone Range.
Lamouche was instrumental in the first Livingstone Range School Division pow wow that brought more than 1,500 students and community members together to celebrate Blackfoot culture and tradition.
“Sandra continues to build bridges by meeting with parents, elders, and various community organizations, running student support groups, being a learning support team member, and sitting on action plan committees,” Seguin added
Lamouche has been a guest leader at the Indigenous Young Women’s Circle of Leadership summer camp at the University of Alberta.
Seguin said Lamouche has had an impact on the school division’s ability to prepare staff for changes in the new teaching and leadership quality standards.
“More importantly, she has been instrumental in co-ordinating many acts of reconciliation,” Seguin said.
