Marie Battiste facts for kids

Marie Ann Battiste, born in 1949, is an important author and teacher from Canada. She works as a professor at the University of Saskatchewan. She is known for her work in Indigenous education.

Growing Up and Learning

Marie Ann Battiste grew up in Houlton, Maine, in the United States. Her parents, John and Annie Battiste, were Mi'kmaq people from the Potlotek First Nation in Nova Scotia, Canada.

She finished high school in 1967. Then, she went to the University of Maine. In 1971, she earned a degree in elementary and junior high education. She also received her teaching certificate.

Later, she continued her studies at top universities. In 1974, she earned a master's degree from Harvard University. In 1984, she received her doctorate from Stanford University. Her studies focused on education and teaching.

Her Important Work

After finishing her first degree in 1971, Marie Ann Battiste started working. She helped create a program called Head Start for young Indigenous children. This program was set up in different communities.

For 25 years, she worked in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She teamed up with James (Sakej) Youngblood Henderson. Together, they helped young Mi'kmaq students become teachers and lawyers. They also fought for these students to be accepted into universities. Thanks to their efforts, the number of Mi'kmaq teachers grew a lot. Many Mi'kmaq lawyers also started their careers.

Battiste has worked in Indigenous education for over 30 years. One of her most famous achievements is helping to bring back the Mi'kmaq language. This work happened in her home community in Chapel Island, Nova Scotia. She became interested in this after talking with her university advisor. They discussed the different ways the Mi'kmaq language had been written.

There are two main ways to write Mi'kmaq today. The most common is the Pacifique system. The other is the Francis-Smith system. Battiste has taught at different schools in Nova Scotia. She also worked as an Education Director and Principal on the Chapel Island reserve from 1984 to 1988.

Many people call Battiste a "guru" in Indigenous education. She leads the Aboriginal education research centre at the University of Saskatchewan. She has also served on many important groups. She was even a representative at a United Nations meeting about Indigenous Peoples and Higher Education.

Awards and Special Honours

Marie Ann Battiste has received many awards for her important work.

• In 2019, she was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. This is a very high honour in Canada.
• In 2008, she received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award. This award recognized her work in Indigenous education.
• In 1985, she was named Woman of the Year in Sydney, Nova Scotia. She also received an award from the University of Maine Farmington.
• She has two special honorary doctorates. One is from St. Mary's University (1987). The other is from the University of Maine, Farmington (1997).
• In 1992, she received the Queen's Award for Service to the Community. She also got an award for developing social studies curriculum in Nova Scotia.
• She was honoured with an Eagle Feather at a Pow Wow in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia, in 1993. In 1995, the Mi'kmaq Grand Council honoured her again with an Eagle Feather on Mi'kmaq Treaty Day.
• In 2000, she and James (Sakej) Youngblood Henderson won awards for their book, Protecting Indigenous Knowledge.
• In 2013, she received the Distinguished Academic Award from the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

Books She Has Written

• Reclaiming Indigenous Voice and Vision
• Protecting Indigenous Knowledge and Heritage: A Global Challenge
• First Nations Education in Canada: The Circle Unfolds
• Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit