Mary-Anne Neal’s interests and accomplishments are wide-ranging, focused primarily on communication and education. Neal works closely with remote Indigenous communities in the Sahtu region of the Northwest Territories to build leadership capacity, increase pride in Dene identity and improve learning outcomes.
International economic development, tourism and teaching assignments have taken her to China, Vietnam, Turkey, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Kenya and Tanzania. Neal has taught for RRU since 2008. She is a frequent keynote speaker, presenter, panel member and workshop facilitator at conferences.
Neal’s passion is to re-imagine experiential education practices through participatory action research. Visit Neal’s website.
Experience
Neal is the project director of the Dene Hero Publication Project, which published five books in five years and won the Arctic Inspiration Prize in 2018 for innovation that benefits northerners.
With Global Affairs Canada and the Mongolian National Academy of Governance, she developed and implemented a training program that was delivered to 20,000 civil servants in Mongolia in 2021. Neal was the Sahtu regional lead for the National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education at First Nations University.
In her role as an educational leader with the BC Ministry of Education, she directed provincewide projects and consultations for nine years. As a scholar-practitioner, Neal develops and facilitates courses for various organizations. She also assists communities with economic and cultural revitalization projects and skills training.
Memberships and Committees
- Mentor: Catalyste+ (formerly CESO)
- Peer Reviewer: Journal of Advances in Physical Education Research
- Advisory Group Member: BCcampus Technology
- Program Committee Member: Leadership Victoria
- Executive Member: Education Beyond Borders
- Member: Research Ethics Board, Royal Roads University;
- Member: Selection Committee, Kelly Outstanding Teaching Awards
- Judge: Dare2Bdigital educational technology competition (BCcampus)
- Foreman: Jury trial
- Chair: Governor General’s Award and Champions of Change nominating committees
- Awards Presenter: Times-Colonist 10K Ru
- First Nations Liaison: SD#63
- District Representative: Lochside School, Royal Oak and Claremont Parent Advisory Councils
- Sponsor: Major Research Projects, RRU MA programs
- Parent Rep: International Student Committee, Aboriginal Committee, SD #63
Education
1996
Master of Education (specializing in curriculum and technology)
University of Victoria
1976
Bachelor of Education (with distinction)
University of Alberta
Awards
2023
Sunshine Coast Writers Award
for Nonfiction (for "Under the Midnight Sun: Journey with the Sahtu Dene")
2022
Leadership Victoria Award
for Contributions to Lifelong Learning
2018
Arctic Inspiration Prize
For Innovation and Excellence that benefits northerners
1996
Southam Paragon Award
For outstanding achievement
1994
Award for Public Speaking
XV Commonwealth Games
1984
Excellence in Teaching Award
Austin O'Brien High School
1976
Rutherford Award
For Excellence in Written Communication
Research
Research interest
Indigenous entrepreneurship
Social justice
Collaborative, experiential, project-based learning
Publications
Under the Midnight Sun: Journey with the Sahtu Dene (2021) Winner of the Sunshine Coast Writers Award
Dene Strong (2022). Project lead and editor
Dene Heroes of the Sahtu, Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4 (Editor) 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Trained Dene researchers for First Nations University, National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education: https://youtu.be/YnFvFwj_FTk
Youtube promo for Dene Hero celebrations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCD9fgjL7O0
“Voice of Experience: Love Letters” for Education Canada (published June, 2013)
"Appreciative Assessment: Inquire!” for Education Canada (published June, 2012) http://www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/appreciative-assessment-inquire
Engage Me or Enrage Me – Battle Cry of Adolescent Learners (professional development textbook for K – 12 teachers, in progress)
http://www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/engaging-students-through-effective-questions
“Career Pathways for Aboriginal Youth” for the Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education (winter 2010 publication)
“Make Your Peace” project and handbook for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games
“Leading Sustainable Change in an Education System” for the Australian Association for Research in Education (published online by AARE and Royal Roads University, 2009) http://www.aare.edu.au/data/publications/2008/nea08785.pdf
Educational publications for BC Ministry of Education: Grad Planners, Parent Guides, policy documents, reports, pamphlets, brochures
Educational media: 52 hour-long radio broadcasts for ACCESS CKUA, various television and radio scripts for ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists)
Tree Tales publication to accompany software for Grades 4 – 8 Science teachers
Monthly columns for Edmonton Magazine; Feature articles for Edmonton Sun, Foresight, Island Parent; Articles for U VIC Centre for Youth and Society newsletter and many other publications
Youtube presentation at RRU on “Education Beyond Borders,” facilitating professional development workshops for teachers in Kenya http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_OD_3YItTM&sns=em
For a list of publications and short bio, see: http://camosun.ca.libguides.com/c.php?g=92384&p=597846
