SUDBURY—M’Chigeeng resident Kelly Crawford has received a 40 Under 40 award, hosted by Northern Ontario Business (NOB), that highlight the outstanding achievements of 40 of Greater Sudbury’s outstanding young entrepreneurs, executives and professionals.
Abbas Homayed, vice-president and publisher of NOB, was quoted by NOB in its November 3, 2017 edition, “we’ve seen the future and our community is in good hands. The 2017 award recipients represent both the private and public sector and their contributions to date are making a significant and positive impact.”
Kelly Crawford is a citizen of M’Chigeeng First Nation. She holds a Master of Arts-Integrated Studies degree with a concentration in culture and education from Athabasca University, a Bachelor of Education degree from Nipissing University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Native Studies from Laurentian University. She is currently a PhD candidate in the Human Studies program at Laurentian University. Currently, she is the principal of academics at Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute, faculty liaison with Queen’s University and instructor for Canadore College.
She is the author of the ‘We Are All Treaty People’ teacher’s kit, Kindergarten to Grade 8: ‘Gdoo-Sastamoo Kii Mi, Understanding our Nation-to-Nation Relationship: a Practical Teachers Resource Guide;’ and contributes to various curriculum projects in Ontario.
NOB asked Ms. Crawford what is the number one thing that she is working toward that she hasn’t yet accomplished. “Currently I am a PhD candidate in the Human Studies program at Laurentian University with a current research focus of developing an interdisciplinary discourse framework to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous relationships moving forward in the classroom.”
As for the biggest obstacle she has overcome, Ms. Crawford said, “balancing two worlds. Working in two different systems trying to bridge relationships that have been devastated by a collective past. The weight of that reality and my responsibility to my family/community is a great challenge.”
Ms. Crawford told NOB, “there are many rewarding parts of my job. I love working with students of all ages. If I had to pick (the most rewarding), it would be the moments when students share the difference our team has made in their lives.”
Ms. Crawford was recently selected to lead the Anishinabek Education System-as education director, to begin at the end of November.
