Indigenous Education Archives - Page 10 of 16 - Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Sudbury Catholic Student Dancers Shine at Community Pow Wow

Posted on June 20, 2014August 23, 2018 by admin

Over 200 Sudbury Catholic School students and families participated in the community pow wow hosted by the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre. The students and their teachers were honoured to be invited to the National Aboriginal Day celebration. National Aboriginal Day is celebrated across Canada annually on June 21. On this day Canadians are encouraged to learn more about First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples and celebrate their unique and diverse cultures.

Lynise Royer, St. David School grade 4 teacher stated that, “the pow wow was an amazing opportunity not only for my students but also for myself. It was a beautiful day. Our students were extremely respectful and 100 percent engaged in the teachings presented by the Elders and community representatives. I learned a lot today as well about the students I teach and their rich heritages.” Miss Royer continued to say, “on behalf of the Sudbury Catholic Schools community, I would like to thank the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre as well as Joel Agowissa and the 4 school board pow wow committee members on a beautiful celebration of culture and identity. Their hard work and dedication is much appreciated by myself, the students and their families. Miigwech to everyone involved in the planning of this spectacular day”.

Sudbury Catholic Student Dancers Shine at Community Pow Wow

Posted on June 20, 2014August 23, 2018 by admin

Sudbury Catholic Student Dancers Shine at Community Pow Wow

Posted on June 20, 2014August 23, 2018 by admin

Smudging Ceremony For New School Site

Posted on June 12, 2014August 23, 2018 by admin

On Tuesday, June 10, the entire St. David Catholic Elementary School joined their community partners at the location for the new school’s site. Just off of Frood Road, between the Spectrum and CTV buildings, approximately 250 students and staff joined Sudbury Catholic board staff as well as other community organizations to smudge the new site with elder Vince Pawis. Dawn Wemigwans, principal of the school welcomed all the students, staff and guests, and after a prayer by student Czesh Malik, the group listened to student singers/drummers while Pawis smudged the site to bring good feelings to the space. Wemigwans explained to the group that, “today we are smudging the space for our new school. We are doing this to clear any negative energy and bring only good thoughts and prayers into the building of our new school.”
Michael Bellmore, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees also addressed the crowd during the ceremony. “It is very exciting for us to be part of such a unique building opportunity that embraces the natural space around it, and incorporates nature as a focus in its design,” Bellmore stated. “We are so pleased that the architects’ design for the school is so forward thinking – having both nature and culture taking centre stage, and allowing for a distinct and remarkable space for our students.”
The new school is scheduled to be open in September, 2015, and will be a Full Day Kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school.

St. Bernadette Learns about Metis Culture

Posted on May 5, 2014August 23, 2018 by admin

Grade 4 students at St. Bernadette Catholic Elementary School attended a Métis presentation Monday, April 28th at St. David Catholic Elementary school. Students were immersed in stories about the Métis culture and learned about different tools used by the Métis people. They enjoyed being able to feel the various furs and learn about what each tool was used for during the War of 1812. The students were especially excited for their upcoming year-end field trip in which they will be travelling to Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons where they will continue their exploration of the life and culture of the Early Settlers.

Minister of Education Launches New Aboriginal Business Program at St. Charles College

Posted on April 30, 2014August 23, 2018 by admin

A new pilot program was launched on Tuesday, April 29 at St. Charles College to help Aboriginal students develop business and entrepreneurial skills. Minister of Education Liz Sandals was on hand to reveal the details of the program as the province partners with the Paul Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative to support Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship.
The students will learn how to develop a business plan and create product or service based business.Jason Michelutti and Paola Gutscher will spearhead the grade 11/12 program at St. Charles College.
Gutscher says “the critical goal of the program is to improve attendance and increase student confidence levels.”Michelutti says he’s eager to get started and wants to get the students “thinking like business owners”.
About fifteen students are already enroled in the program which will commence September 2014.

Professional Learning to Support Aboriginal Education at Sudbury Catholic

Posted on April 24, 2014August 23, 2018 by admin

In adherence to the Ontario First Nation, Metis and Inuit Education Policy Framework, the Sudbury Catholic District School Board continues to support strategies which are based on a holistic and integrated approach to improving Aboriginal student achievement and well being.

The school board believes that it is important that each of our Catholic schools have the opportunity to effectively analyze relevant Aboriginal student data and determine next steps to better support Aboriginal student success.

To facilitate this process, the school board provided the opportunity for all school teams to participate in professional learning opportunities on April 22 and 23. These professional learning communities included both a cultural and historic component as well as the opportunity to dialogue as individual school teams about confidential Aboriginal self identification, student achievement and well being. Each school team received school based, up to date Aboriginal student data and resources to support Aboriginal student engagement and improved academic outcomes.

Rossella Bagnato, the Sudbury Catholic School’s Aboriginal Lead and Superintendent for School Effectiveness stated, “We know that is very important that our staff continue this professional learning discussion within their school communities. These conversations will certainly assist and support Sudbury Catholic Schools staff to aspire to meet the needs of all of our students.”

St. Raphael Celebrates their “Hero”

Posted on April 10, 2014August 23, 2018 by admin

St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School Students, staff and community partners were on hand to celebrate one of their own on Wednesday, April 9. Primary Lifeskills student Wii’um Morin was the honoured guest as he has been selected to be one of the Canadian Down syndrome heroes for 2014. The school wanted to show Wii’um how proud they were of him, and spoke of his outstanding character, creativity and loving spirit. Wii’um took it all in stride while sitting on the stage, and quietly listened as teacher Kelly Beaton spoke of his exceptional personality, and unique outlook on life.

St. David Catholic School Celebrates National Aboriginal Day with a School Wide Fun Day!

Posted on June 21, 2013August 23, 2018 by admin

St. David Catholic School, located in the Donovan / Floor Mill area of the city celebrated National Aboriginal Day with a school wide fun day. Caroline Mansourian, the school’s grade 7 teacher and her grade 7 class planned and organized fun educational events for all junior kindergarten – grade 8 students. The day started with the playing of O Canada in Ojibwe and then the Ojibwe morning prayer. Events included face painting, water events and co-operative games stressing team work and leadership building skills.

National Aboriginal Day in Canada is held on June 21 annually to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures, and achievements of our nation’s Aboriginal peoples. Canada recognizes three distinct Aboriginal groups – First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. June 21 was chosen for National Aboriginal Day because it was on or near the Summer Solstice. For generations, Aboriginal peoples hosted cultural celebrations on this day.

Verna Hardwick, St. David School Native Language teacher stated, ” this is a day to celebrate all races and the interconnectedness of all peoples. We shared the traditional teachings and celebrated the inclusive teachings of the medicine wheel.”

Grade 1 student, Sebastian Trudeau said, “I liked our special activities today, especially the games that had water. I am very excited to have a special lunch with my class. After lunch I am going to Bell Park with my mom to attend the festivities that The Native Friendship Center is hosting.” All students at St. David School were treated to a special lunch compliments of Joseph Mansourian and “Over the Atlantic”. Sebastian says “thank you. It was a fun day”.