New approach, new attitudes at Yellowhorn

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Combining traditional culture with English language skills is part of a new approach to pre-vocational training being offered on southern Alberta's Peigan Reserve.

Called "Joe's School" by some of the participants, the 28-week program is the brainchild of Joseph Yellowhorn, a member of the community.

"I think it's really important for an educator to be a member of the community where he teaches," Yellowhorn said. "If you're a part of the community, you care more about what happens to the other people in it.

For most of the 15 men who attend the classes, five days a week, six hours a day, this is the first time they've had a male teacher and the first time that the teacher's been a friend and neighbor.

Yellowhorn also brings in lots of speakers from the Reserve, both to assist him in his lessons-giving other skills and points of view-and to serve as role models.

While the basic function of the class is to increase the participant's skills, English-language reading and writing, Yellowhorn says they get a lot more.

"I believe in a multiple intelligence approach to learning. They learn about Peigan art, music and culture, interpersonal communications and the Blackfoot language. And about the history of our people. We talk a lot about the family and the individual too. Then if you know the culture, you can know how to make your own place in Peigan society-how you fit in."

Yellowhorn said the program participants are people who have "fallen through the cracks. They lack self-confidence, as well as skills and information. Helping them get a good grasp of their cultural identity is an important part of what we're doing."

All the participants in the program are on social assistance and Yellowhorn hopes his program will help them change their attitudes and behavior, as well as improve their skills.

"Employment is a major problem on the reserve," he said. "I try to get across the idea to the men in the class, that they don't have to just be casual laborers all their lives. You have to be realistic; there just aren't jobs out there for everyone. So I hope the program just helps them live better."

Yellowhorn said if the participants can gain confidence in themselves, they'll be more likely to fill out application forms, and take the tests that might help them in a variety of pursuits. Already, he said, he can see where the men's self-esteem is improving.

"I've noticed now, that the men come to class better dressed and are taking better care of their personal grooming. I think that's a sign they're building their image of themselves."

Another sign that confidence and skills are improving is in the written assignments Yellowhorn gives them.

"I ask the participants to write a five-minute paper each week. When we fist started, back in November, many of them would only put one or two words down on paper. And the spelling and grammar were terrible. Now they'll write a half page, and the spelling and grammar are much improved."

Similar progress has been made in pubic speaking, something Yellowhorn woks on repeatedly.

"When we started, a lot of them wouldn't talk in class at all. Now, some will get up and speak in front of a group, and do a good job getting their points across."

In addition to English, lessons in basic Blackfoot are an important part of the course work, Yellowhorn said. "It helps develop cultural awareness." But he also teaches it because Blackfoot has been designated a dying language.

"If we don't do something now, we'll lose our language, and if we lose our language, we'll lose an important part of our culture. The participants learn the basic structure of the language and the basic sounds. Most of them didn't know any Blackfoot before we started. Now they can all speak many words."

Yellowhorn speaks Blackfoot and English, but says he's no expert in teaching language. He is, however, well educated. He's currently working on a Master of Arts degree, through Washington State's Gonzaga University. He lso has a Bachelor of Arts and courses in management studies from the University of Lethbridge.

He and his wife, Barbara Scott-Yellowhorn, have seven children of their own.

"Kids on the reserve have a tough time with schooling. They probably have only a 50 per cent chance of success in school when they start, and maybe a two per cent chance of finishing their education. I designed the program to try and improve the odds."

The current course ends June 14 and Yellowhorn said he's hoping to continue in the fall.

"I've been asked about running the same program again for a new set of students, but I'd also like to develop a second course, to follow this one. It took the participants a long time to develop their current attitudes and behavior toward education and life. I don't think you can change things in just 28 weeks."