The Sudbury Catholic District School Board invites students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 to participate in the Annual Christmas Artwork Contest. Create artwork in any medium (drawing, painting, etc.) that reflects our Catholic faith and the joy of Christmas.
All submissions (whether in hard copy or e-mailed) should have the following information included in addition to the artwork:
Student first and last name
Grade
School
Submissions can be e-mailed to webmaster@sudburycatholicschools.ca in a JPG/PNG or PDF format. Or mailed to the Board office at Attention: Christmas Card Contest 165A D’Youville street Sudbury, Ontario P3C 5E7
CONTEST DEADLINE:
Artwork must be submitted no later than November 22, to be considered for the contest.
What Can I Win?
Two winning designs (one elementary and one secondary) will be featured on the annual Christmas cards sent to Board Trustees, school administration, and community partners. Winners will also receive a package of custom Christmas cards featuring their artwork!
You can submit multiple entries up until November 22, 2025. For more contest details, please refer to the attachments below. Join us in celebrating the spirit of the season through art!
Treaties Recognition Week is observed annually during the first week of November to emphasize the importance of treaties and deepen the understanding of treaty rights and relationships across Ontario. It offers an opportunity for students, educators, and residents to explore the lasting significance of treaties and their relevance in today’s society.
This year, Treaties Recognition Week takes place from November 2-8, 2025.
In recognition of Treaties Recognition Week, students across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) will engage in a variety of meaningful learning experiences that honour Indigenous culture, history, and relationships—deepening their understanding of the importance of treaties in Canada. Some examples include:
The SCDSB is proud to partner with Indigenous artist Moses Lunham of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation for a virtual painting workshop focused on the Huron Tract Treaty. The session, titled “Treaty Awareness through Art,” encourages students to connect with the Anishinaabe worldview through creativity and storytelling.
Students at St. Anne Catholic Elementary School had the opportunity to experience a workshop with Moses on October 29. Under the guidance of Mrs. Lawrence and supporting educator/Indigenous Support Worker Carissa Bruyere, the Grade 3/4 class painted drums while learning about the heartbeat of Mother Earth, the Thunderbird, and the deep connections between art, spirit, and land.
“Miigwetch, Moses, for inspiring our learners and helping them express their creativity in such a meaningful way,” shared St. Anne. “Your teachings remind us that learning through art builds understanding, respect, and connection.”
At Bishop Alexander Carter, Grade 7 and 8 students will participate in a treaty scavenger hunt, solving coded clues written in Anishinaabemowin to uncover answers hidden throughout the school. In addition, Indigenous Support Worker Page Chartrand will facilitate the Kairos Blanket Exercise, an experiential learning activity that helps students explore the evolving relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.
At Holy Trinity Catholic School, students are exploring the concept of treaties through an interdisciplinary project blending math, coding, beading, and weaving. After learning about the role of treaties and wampum belts, students will design and create their own symbolic belts—representing peace, friendship, and mutual respect
The examples above reflect only a portion of the engaging learning taking place. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board looks forward to highlighting Treaty-focused learning experiences from schools across the system throughout the week.
Public Resources
In addition to the activities planned within our schools, the Sudbury Catholic Indigenous Education team has gathered a variety of resources to support students, staff, and community members in reflecting on and commemorating this significant week. Below is a summary of public resources available through Ontario.ca to help deepen Ontarian’s engagement and learning.
The History of Treaties Recognition Week
In 2016, Ontario passed legislation declaring the first week of November as Treaties Recognition Week. This annual event honours the importance of treaties and helps students and residents of Ontario learn more about treaty rights and relationships.
In Ontario, treaties are as much a part of today as when they were first created. They are living documents and legally binding agreements that set out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations and the federal and provincial governments. Furthermore, we also acknowledge that Indigenous Nations had Treaty Agreements with one another before Europeans arrived, and that treaty-making itself, precedes North American settlement.
Whether Indigenous or not, treaties matter to everyone in Canada; we are all Treaty People. They represent a mutual commitment to building a prosperous future for everybody and Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities are responsible for knowing and upholding Treaty obligations.
Resources for Treaties Education Week
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is committed to providing opportunities for innovation and learning for all in an inclusive and equitable community. During Treaties Recognition Week, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board will engage in meaningful learning opportunities from November 2-8, 2025. These initiatives aim to deepen understanding and respect for treaty rights and relationships, benefiting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
The Government of Ontario has provided several teaching resources to help further explore this topic. Among these is a Treaties in Ontario infographic (PDF), which illustrates the number of treaties in Ontario, the regions they encompass, and the populations residing within these treaty areas.
To review the Scope and Sequence of Expectations Relating to Treaties and Land Claims, please refer to the following:
Sudbury Catholic Schools have been provided with a wide range of video resources from Ontario.ca suitable for different grade levels to provide students with an opportunity to hear from Indigenous Elders or knowledge keepers.
In these activities, students will learn about treaties and their importance in an age-appropriate way that’s flexible for teachers’ lesson planning. This opportunity allows Indigenous speakers to share their knowledge about the importance of treaties, treaty relationships and rights in Ontario.
For comprehensive information on treaties in Ontario, visit the Ontario.ca Treaties page. This resource is curated by the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and provides valuable insights into the history, significance, and impact of treaties across the province.
Explore the following resources:
About Treaties – Understand the fundamentals of treaties in Ontario.
Interactive Treaty Map – Discover where treaties have been made using an engaging, interactive map.
Children & Youth Books – Explore a selection of books designed to help children and youth understand the importance of treaties and Indigenous history.
Adult & Academic Books – Access recommended reading for adults, offering in-depth knowledge and perspectives on treaties and their lasting effects.
Even a little rain couldn’t stop students at Immaculate Conception School from putting their knowledge into action for School Bus Safety Week! Thanks to the help from the school’s Student Bus Patrollers, students practiced important bus safety and evacuation procedures, learning how to stay safe while boarding, riding, and exiting the bus. A special thank you goes out to the dedicated student bus patrollers, who helped guide their younger peers and demonstrated leadership throughout the exercise.
Did you know that Immaculate is not the only school to have student bus patrollers? Earlier this year, elementary students across several Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools, took part in Bus Patroller Training hosted by the Consortium. The training helps older students develop leadership skills and a sense of responsibility as they learn how to support younger riders in following safety rules on the bus.
To learn more about this and other school safety initiatives, check out our latest Director’s Corner blog!
Just in time for Thanksgiving Weekend, students at St. Anne School took part in a hands-on learning experience with the school’s Indigenous Support Worker, Ms. Carissa. They explored traditional fall harvesting and celebrated the gifts of the land, giving thanks to Mother Earth. 🌽
Through this activity, students learned about gratitude, community, and caring for others. They even created beautiful beaded corn to honour the harvest, connect with Indigenous culture, and explore practices that respect the natural world. Miigwetch to Ms. Carissa for sharing your knowledge and guiding this special experience!
Across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, our schools are embracing Thanksgiving with kindness, gratitude, and a spirit of community. Check out more stories from our schools celebrating this season of thanks on social media.
In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, St. Anne school community came together in a meaningful and heartfelt way to honour the children, families, and communities affected by residential schools.
Leading up to this important day, Ms. Carissa, the school’s Indigenous Support Worker, guided students and staff through learning and reflection rooted in the spirit of truth and reconciliation. Through the sharing of Phyllis’s books and videos, they learned about the significance of Orange Shirt Day and engaged in thoughtful conversations around how we can demonstrate reconciliation and move forward together in unity.
As part of our learning journey, students created promise/ prayer ties using the four sacred colours of the Medicine Wheel—each one carrying a message of hope and a promise for reconciliation: Yellow–We promise tolisten and learn, Red–We promise tobe kind and care for each other,Black– We promiseto showrespect to all people and cultures, White–We promise toremember the children in our hearts and share the truth.
On the day of our event, the school first gathered as a community to reflect on the 7 Grandfather Teachings—Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth. They focused especially on Respect, our monthly virtue, recognizing it as the root of truth and reconciliation. Together, they explored how respect is not only one of the teachings, but one that connects and supports all the others.
Together, they walked in reflection, carrying these promises and prayers in our hearts. At the end of their walk, we placed our prayer ties on a specially created banner that will be displayed in our school as a daily reminder of our ongoing commitment to reconciliation.
This banner serves as a symbol of hope, action, and remembrance—a daily visual reminder that Every Child Matters / Chaque Enfant Compte / Gichi-apiitendaagoziwag Akina Abinoonjiiyag and our schools’ commitment to truth and reconciliation. We also created reflective artwork for our school display for this day.
On Thursday, September 25, St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and St. Charles College school communities came together to host the second annual “Every Child Matters” tribute during the Jr. Boys Football Game at James Jerome Athletic Field.
The tribute highlighted both schools’ commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, honouring the experiences of Residential School Survivors, their families, and communities, while emphasizing their ongoing dedication to acknowledging the past and walking together toward a reconciled future.
The evening began with a land acknowledgement and opening ceremony led by Beverley Belanger, Principal of St. Benedict School, underscoring the importance of reconciliation. This was followed by a smudging ceremony that included participation from crowd attendees. After warm-ups, both teams lined up on the field wearing orange armbands in recognition of Orange Shirt Day—symbolizing remembrance and hope for the future. Joining the players were members of the Indigenous Education team, Juno-nominated artist Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, Lil Miss Atikameksheng 2025/26, Honor Nootchtai, currently a St. Benedict student and Miss Atikameksheng 2025/26 and St. Benedict alumna Destiny Nootchtai.
To conclude the ceremony, a drumming honour song was performed by Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, followed by a coin toss by Destiny Nootchtai.
“This tribute provided an important opportunity for our students, staff, and community to reflect together,” said Skyeanne Trudeau, Indigenous Support Worker at St. Benedict School. “Through sport, song, and ceremony, we honoured the past and reinforced our commitment to a more understanding and compassionate future.”
St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School and St. Charles College remain deeply committed to ensuring the spirit of Every Child Matters is carried forward in their classrooms, on their sports fields, and throughout the broader community. Both schools are proud Legacy Schools with the Downie Wenjack Fund, where they have pledged to take meaningful Reconcili-Actions that honour the past and build a better future.
Discover more about Legacy Schools with the Downie Wenjack Fund by visiting: downiewenjack.ca
Today, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board was proud to join local organizations in demonstrating our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation during the closing ceremony of this year’s Annual Truth & Reconciliation Relay hosted by the GSPS in Bell Park. On this occasion, we are thrilled to announce that St. Charles College – Team Cardinal earned the distinction of being the top secondary school in Sudbury for total distance covered in the 4th Annual Truth & Reconciliation Relay. At today’s ceremony, Indigenous Graduation Coach and Team Cardinal member Shannon Agowissa accepted the award on behalf of the school. Congratulations, Team Cardinal!
The Truth & Reconciliation Relay, hosted annually by the Greater Sudbury Police Services, is a community initiative that honours history, raises awareness, and promotes healing with Indigenous communities. Its purpose is to educate participants about the history of Residential Schools and highlight the 94 Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Participants watched an educational video, reviewed the Calls to Action, and selected one that resonated with them personally. The relay provided a meaningful moment of reflection, inviting participants to consider how they can bring their chosen Calls to Action to life in both personal and professional spheres.
Superintendent Paul Nalli shared: “We are incredibly proud of Team Cardinal for this achievement and for inspiring their St. Charles College school community through such a meaningful initiative. Miigwetch to all our schools for your heartfelt participation and to our community partners for your continued commitment to honouring the truths of the past and taking meaningful steps toward reconciliation.“
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board extends its gratitude to GSPS and community partners, including the Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, for providing this important opportunity. Since its inception in 2022, the relay has become a cherished tradition, and Sudbury Catholic Schools looks forward to participating each year with the help of our Indigenous Education Team.
From September 22 to 25, students across the Sudbury Catholic District School Board (SCDSB) participated in a series of dynamic classroom presentations and interactive assemblies featuring retired NHL player and motivational speaker Jason Simon. This meaningful opportunity was organized by the SCDSB Indigenous Education team and explored essential topics, including self-esteem, goal setting, perseverance, mental and physical wellness, and standing against racism. By listening to his experiences of facing and overcoming adversity on and off the ice, this occasion encouraged students to reflect on the importance of inclusion, equity, and respect for others and oneself – key values at the heart of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Over the course of four days, Jason visited seven SCDSB schools, connecting with students from Grades 3–12. Visits included:
September 22: Bishop Alexander Carter Secondary School & St. Anne Catholic Elementary
September 23: St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School
September 24: St. Charles College & Holy Trinity Catholic Elementary School
September 25: St. James Catholic Elementary School & St. Francis Catholic Elementary School
“If you don’t know where you’re going in life, it’s hard to get there. There’s always hope, but it doesn’t come on its own. You have to assert yourself, put in the work, and fight for the person you want to become.” Shared Jason Simon, when reflecting on what he hoped students would take away from the interactive sessions.
Sharing inspiring stories from his professional hockey career, as well as his personal journey confronting racism, concussions, and addiction, Jason Simon’s presentations emphasized the importance of setting both short-term and long-term goals, and of creating a clear vision and plan for the life you want. At its core, each presentation conveyed a powerful message of hope, inspiring students from diverse grade levels, interests, and backgrounds to develop resilience, self-awareness, and a strong sense of purpose—qualities essential for achieving their dreams and navigating life with confidence.
“Chi Miigwetch to Jason Simon for sharing his journey and inspiring our students to dream big, persevere, and rise strong,” said Indigenous Education Consultant Ginette Toivonen. “His presentation reminds us to care for ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually, ask for help when needed, and show strength and compassion to others. As a First Nations athlete and role model overcoming systemic barriers, Jason’s experiences spark meaningful reflection on equity, inclusion, and respect for others and oneself—important topics we really want to emphasize as we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th.”
Along with the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, these visits also corresponded with Rowan’s Law Awareness Day on September 24, highlighting concussion safety and prioritizing well-being for young athletes in contact sports.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to serve as a catalyst for student learning, inspiring reflection on these meaningful topics and empowering students to carry these lessons forward in their own lives. Guided by our mission to help every student reach their full potential within an inclusive Catholic learning community, we nurture growth of the mind, body, and spirit. To learn more about the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, please visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca.
On September 25, Holy Trinity Catholic School proudly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian Flag with a special flag-raising ceremony. The event marked a historic moment for the school community, as the Franco-Ontarian flag was raised for the first time on school grounds—symbolizing pride, culture, and belonging.
Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s Director of Education, Morris Hucal, joined Superintendent Erica Raymond and FSL Learning Consultant Camille Heaton for the celebration. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 gathered as Principal Colin Lapalme and Director Hucal spoke about the importance of the day and the significance of honouring Franco-Ontarian heritage and identity.
As the flag rose high, students’ voices echoed with pride as they sang “Franco-Ontarien!”—a joyful celebration of culture and community spirit.
“Moments like this remind us of the importance of celebrating our shared identity and the diversity that strengthens our Catholic school communities,” said Superintendent Erica Raymond.
The flag, which was first raised in Sudbury in 1975, stands as a proud symbol of the Francophone community’s history and ongoing contributions across Ontario.
Holy Trinity’s flag-raising ceremony served as both a commemoration of this milestone anniversary and a reflection of the school’s commitment to fostering cultural pride and inclusion among students.
