First Person: Success, Sacrifice and Identity

Abstract

The chapters in Part 6 draw on the longitudinal nature of this project. Each chapter is written in the first person and represents the synthesis of a number of interviews conducted with each individuals over a seven-year period, from 2014 to 2021. Here, for the first time, young people provide insights and reflections captured at different points in time, and reflecting a changing sense of self, of their position in society, and their evolving perspectives on the benefits and disadvantages of having been educated away from home. Some have become more activist over time, others, more aware of how a privileged education has worked to transform their life for better and, in some cases, for worse. The final chapter in this part is written by First Nations teacher. She considers what it takes to make school a happy and empowering place for Fist Nations students.