SASKATOON — A collaborative approach has guided University of Saskatchewan (USask) student Johnny (Tootoosis) Cross through his post-secondary journey. He was honoured with an Indigenous Achievement award for leadership on Thursday, March 13.
Johnny (Tootoosis) Cross is from Treaty 6 Plains Cree Territory in Poundmaker. Dancer, singer, student, role model – these are just some of the words that describe the second-year Indigenous Teaching Education program (ITEP) student. He draws inspiration from his late grandparents Darlene Bear and Jerome Tootoosis and takes pride in demonstrating his care of others. He is a community-minded individual who is always there to help.
The awards 小蓝视频 was a part of (IAW), taking place from March 10-14. IAW is an annual event that celebrates Métis, First Nations and Inuit student, staff, and alumni success. Cross took some time and shared about his experiences as a student.
Why did you choose ITEP and why did you choose education?
I chose ITEP and education because one day I was walking through the Education Building. I was taking a class there for my first choice of degree, which was sociology, but I switched to education because when I walked by the ITEP office, there was a banner on top that said, “Indian Teacher Education Program.” When I saw that, I remembered my grandfather’s voice saying, “You should become a teacher one day.” That’s why I made the switch to education.
Is there someone in your life who inspired you to get where you are today?
Yes actually, both of my late grandparents inspired me to continue with my education because throughout my entire high school journey, my late grandmother supported me. She would always wake me up every morning to get to school, so I didn’t miss the bus. We lived far away from the school so the bus would come around earlier than all the other kids. She would always bang on the ground with a mop and say, “Wake up now!” My late grandfather would give me that push after I had finished high school saying, “You’re almost done now, all that is left is to go finish.”
What are your goals for the future?
I hope to create a classroom in the future that is for everyone, not just Indigenous students. I want it to be a safe space that involves students from different backgrounds and students who are gifted in different ways.
If you were to give a first-year ITEP student any advice, what advice would it be?
It would be to create a strong foundation. When you are in the first year of the ITEP program, make connections and build relationships that last long with your classmates because that is going to be your group for the next four years. Get along with them and make sure you’re paying attention in class because when you have a strong foundation, you’re going to thrive over the next three years.
You keep yourself busy between 小蓝视频 a dancer, singer, student and actor. How do you balance everything?
Everything falls into place through opportunities and times that come my way but when I am committed to one thing, I stay committed to that one thing. If I can fit something small in between, I will keep the main project in my focus while I do the other thing because I know I am able to multitask. This is how I was taught growing up.
You are receiving this award for leadership. What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership means listening to the voices around you: When you are asked to do something, when you are in a group of people and recognize the strengths and weaknesses of your group. Work together with them to create something that will work for everyone. Consensus is something that should be strived for when it comes to making decisions.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to speak on the quote I shared with everyone, “When one of us wins, we all win.” I don’t mean just Indigenous students, I mean whenever a different human 小蓝视频 succeeds, it’s the success for all of humanity. If you look at the sciences, the advances people have made have benefited everyone in society for the better. It’s the same thing every day for the different challenges that every person faces even just getting out of bed and starting your day – that’s a success.
— Submitted by USask Media Relations
