Titan of education honoured
Edward J. Aronhie:nens Cross has been recognized by the First Nations Education Council (FNEC), with one of their meeting rooms now featuring his name, as part of the FNEC’s anniversary celebrations.
Cross was director of education of the Kahnawake Education Center (KEC) for 23 years, working to improve access for students with special needs in the community as well as developing a curriculum that would be culturally sensitive and be taught by educators with knowledge of Kanien’kéha.
Cross passed away on October 12, 2021.
“He had been a strong advocate of making sure that the students would be allowed to be in contact with their culture, and he also was instrumental in Kahnawake for parental involvement in the school management and, in particular, for teaching the language of the of the Mohawk community,” said FNEC director general Denis Gros-Louis.
“He has had a great legacy throughout his 45-year career within the community.”
He has also had a legacy outside Kahnawake, too, being Kahnawake’s representative in the FNEC as the organization got off the ground, and his advocacy for special needs students in Indigenous communities leading to positive changes across Canada, allowing most students with special needs to stay within their communities.
