Education director hired

Julie Severn

1/21/2003 12:00:00 AM

Providing infinite academic opportunities to Native youth is both a personal and career goal for recently hired Education Director Angeline Matson.

Matson, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, has lived in central Michigan for the past 20 years. The 37-year-old mother of three attained a master's degree in public administration, as well as a bachelor's degree in psychology and management from Central Michigan University.

"Education is not only the most important program offered by he Tribe, it is the life blood of the community," she said. "Knowledge is power; it builds strong shoulders to carry any weight thrown in a person's path."

Matson has been employed by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe since 1989. Matson served as a parent student advocate for West Intermediate and other local elementary schools for a year. She then joined the Nimkee Memorial Wellness Center as assistant health administrator from 1990 to 1996.

Matson took time off to further her education, as well as spend time with her family, before taking on her current position.

Her three main objectives with the Education Department are to implement the charter school system, provide an educational facility with all students under one roof and focus on a long-term plan to determine what direction the program is heading.

"Education is the key unlocking questions about who we are and where we come from," she explained. "Our objective is to create unlimited possibilities for the future, while placing them in reach of our youth."