For many of you, Bonnie’s name evokes memories of her being a school teacher to you or your child.  She’s taught Grade One all the way through to Grade 12 with Saskatchewan River’s School Division.  Or it is her other job you may be familiar with – that of artist and photographer.  Bonnie says it is art that helped her to cope with being a quiet introvert, especially through the practice of photography, which she uses to tell a story of identity.  Before taking education classes at Saskatchewan Urban Native Teachers’ Education Program (SUNTEP) in Prince Albert, she didn’t know a lot about her Métis identity.  She became aware of how influential ones’ identity is and used different art mediums to develop her voice and identity in order to tell her story.  Along the way, she has been heavily influenced by people she admires the work of; Bonnies says people such as “Jenn Brown, Wilna Furstenburg, Leah Dorion, Simone McLeod, and Christina Thoen (are mentors). These fabulous lady’s have taught me to do what makes you happy and to find confidence in believing in yourself. It is not surprising that all of the artists that inspire me are also educators.”  These artists are well known at both local and international levels and provide a level of support, creativity and complexity to challenge other artists who are looking to create a similar feel in their own work.

Bonnie has lived in Prince Albert her whole life.  Along with her husband, Allan, she’s raised two children, but her life is far from boring.  A few years ago, she won one of the full-time faculty positions posted at SUNTEP Prince Albert.  She has loved working with the student teachers, placing them in their internship positions and working with the other awesome staff at Gabriel Dumont Institute and SUNTEP.  And now, a new change has afforded Bonnie the opportunity to influence, develop and lead educators in even more wonderful ways.  She has accepted the position of Program Head of SUNTEP Prince Albert.  She acknowledges Sandra Sherwin-Shields leaves a tremendous legacy and she is someone Bonnie looks up to as Sandra was one of her instructors when Bonnie went through SUNTEP, so she is someone Bonnie has tremendous “respect for and I look up to her a great deal.”  

Currently, while working full time and learning the ropes as the new program head of SUNTEP, Bonnie is also busy taking her Master of Education degree through Gabriel Dumont College. She credits her success to the staff of SUNTEP, the University of Regina and Michael Relland  who have all given her the support and encouragement she’s needed to feel confident in the choices she’s made thus far in her career.  Bonnie says following her instincts while making career choices has played a role in where she is today.  While there are so many new changes happening in her life, Bonnie isn’t accepted commissioned photography appointments however, she hopes to teach more photography classes in the community down the road.  For now, she says “I am inspired to take risks by my students, my own instincts, and my profession. I went from a grade one teacher, to a grade twelve teacher, to a university instructor by following my instinct. The move scared me completely, but my instinct told me it was the right thing to do. My students inspire me through their thirst for knowledge, courage to care, and their compassion for others.”   I know Bonnie will continue to inspire, motivate and encourage others to take risks and follow their dreams as well.

If you would like more information about SUNTEP please visit the GDI website at www.gdins.org and you can find out more about Gabriel Dumont College as well.  The application deadline to apply for SUNTEP closes soon so be sure to apply online if you’re interested in pursuing education as your career.