This year's recipient of the Frances Fleming Award for Inspirational Achieve-ment, Donna Joe is most worthy of this educational accolade.
She is the first of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation to receive a teaching degree and master of education. Joe is also deemed a preserver of the shíshálh language.
In presenting the award, Silas White, School District No. 46 board chair, said Joe had much in common with Fleming. Both women inspired others and through their determination made a huge impact on education on the Sunshine Coast.
Fleming was the first woman superintendent of a B.C. school district and the first female administrator of a large secondary school. She also took on important roles with the Ministry of Education in the 1970s. Fleming retired to Sechelt and was instrumental in arranging the building of the village's first modern library.
"She also showed determination in transforming Pender Harbour Secondary from a holding pen for the teenagers of the community when it wasn't fishing season, to a genuine educational institution where the kids and community truly realized the value of education," White said.
Joe achieved a similar feat through her determination to preserve the Sechelt language. For over 25 years she worked along with the Sechelt Elders and Ron Beaumont. The resulting dictionary documenting the language many lost because of the Indian Residential School was presented to the B.C. legislature recently by MLA Nicholas Simons.
Joe has taught at Kinnikinnick Elementary School since 1985. Prior to that she was a special education teachers' assistant for five years. She has published six books and a play regarding shíshálh people.
"She is a mentor and friend to many people - a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin to shíshálh people - and an inspiration to students and school staff members," the news release announcing the award proclaimed.
The presentation was made April 8 at a special ceremony attended by the entire school board and Joe's friends and family.
The selection committee who chose Joe from an outstanding field of entrants was composed of school trustees Lori Dixon and Betty Baxter, Fleming family member Brian Waplington, principal Carolyn Spence and retired teacher Linda Smith. Nominations closed Feb. 28 for this annual award.
