Sharon McConnell introduced Gem Munro, author, educator and social activist and Executive Director of Amarok Society along with his wife Tanyss and their four children. Gem and his wife have devoted their entire working life helping disadvantaged people. One of the programs they have established is in Bangladesh where they have taught mothers to teach children in some of the worst slums of the world. Gem was able to share with the Club the impact of the financial support they have received through Rotary. Their program has changed the lives of young women who learn how to read and teach their children how to read. Their program has changed the life of a young woman, Shania, from a life of domestic slavery to a life of purpose as a neighbourhood teacher. These young women are making a tremendous difference and they are now held in high esteem and respected in their communities. Even the husbands, brothers and fathers are learning to read, write and do arithmetic through this program (pictured is a grandfather with his granddaughter who is teaching him how to read and write). Education has opened many doors and has resulted in a tremendous benefit to families. And Rotary has played a very large part in ensuring education is provided to those who need it, shared with as many people as possible and all of this has resulted in changed lives.
Gem and Tanyss' current project is in the northern communities where Canada faces its own education crisis, also overlooked and which must be addressed through a spirit of innovation – one in which youth themselves must become catalysts of sustainable change in their lives. Through their work in First Nations education, Amarok Society founders, Dr. Tanyss and Gem Munro have witnessed the serious educational disadvantages afforded to our Indigenous youth right here at home, with significant repercussions to the lives of these youth. Education deficits have a ripple effect to other areas, as evidenced by the gap between Indigenous populations and the average Canadian populations in health, income, justice, and social issues. There is likewise a serious gap between the equality we Canadians say we stand for, and the reality of life for most Indigenous youth. Today, fewer than 40% of First Nation youth graduate with a high school diploma. In fact, these youth have a greater likelihood of going to prison than graduating from high school. The suicide rate for Indigenous Canadians is one of the highest in the world at 5 to 7 times higher than for the non-Indigenous population.
Dr. Tanyss and Gem Munro, have a history of turning around highly troubled schools in northern First Nation education systems by empowering the youth to be catalysts of positive change. Their methodology draws upon Indigenous traditions, history, and culture to create transformative change in students’ lives. Amarok Society is working toward establishing a Leadership Academy for Indigenous youth that they would attend for one month. Amarok Society also works in partnership with Unstoppable Conversations, an Alberta based organization to offer leadership workshops for youth. Together, our work unlocks long-standing impasses through conversation-based workshops in a relatively short period of time. Amarok Society Indigenous leaves youth leaders with an unprecedented capacity to alter their lives and the lives of those around them. Gem's new book The Silver Apple of the Moon examines Indigenous communities and examines the possibilities of what an education can provide.
Elizabeth Grew thanked Gem for his powerful presentation and his passion on projects near and dear to his heart. It has been a great privilege to work together since 2010 on the Bangladesh program and see the progress of young mothers.