Students at St. James Catholic Elementary School utilize 21’st century technology in their daily native language lessons. 21’st century technology provides students with the digital tools, authentic learning experiences, and the opportunity to learn through differentiated instruction. Duncan McIntosh, the Native Language teacher feels that the use of technology really supports the students through engagement opportunities and appeals to their audio/visual learning styles. “Through the use of technology, we are able to connect the historical traditions of the Anishnawbek people using contemporary tools which is something the students can relate to,” McIntosh states. “Through the use of the macbook in the classroom, students are able to access programs such as google.docs, which means each student can contribute in a collaborative sense to class projects and performance tasks. These opportunities support our students being successful.”
The school credits their partnership with Atikameksheng Anishnawbek for recognizing the importance of technology in the classroom and supporting the needs of the students. Sudbury Catholic Superintendent and Aboriginal Lead Nicole Snow is appreciative of the collaborative relationship St. James has with the Atikameksheng community. “ As a school board, we recognize the importance of community involvement in the learning and support of student achievement and well-being, and are grateful for the mutual commitment of the school and the reserve.”
Category: Indigenous Education
Cultural Learning at St. Charles Elementary
Aboriginal Support Worker, Joel Agowissa, shares with SKFI students at St. Charles Catholic Elementary School the medicines of the four directions. As a part of the Aboriginal Biinoojic Centres (ABC) program, students in Kindergarten and Grade 1 have met with Joel for 5 weeks to learn more about Aboriginal teachings. Students have enjoyed this program. Thanks Joel, for sharing your knowledge and passion for Aboriginal Education!
ABC’s in the Classroom at Sudbury Catholic Schools
Since May of 2012, Joel Agowissa, the Aboriginal Support Worker for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board has been sharing his knowledge of First Nation, Metis, and Inuit cultures with students and staff throughout the board. His programs have been developed to support both the primary learners – Kindergarten to grade 1, and the junior students – grade 2 to grade 5. Agowissa’s ABC program, delivered to primary students, is based on the Aboriginal Biinoojig Centre (ABC) programming. ABC gives the primary students the opportunity to begin their Catholic education with a clear understanding of the foundation of aboriginal cultures.
Since September 2012, Agowissa has visited 12 of the Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools, with the remainder of the board’s schools scheduled for visits until the end of June 2013. The programming is delivered to all students in the classroom setting and allows for hands-on, visual and interactive learning opportunities. According to Agowissa, “Connecting with students at this age sets the foundation for accurate cultural appreciation, building self-confidence and awareness, and replacing stereotypes with knowledge.”
Nicole Snow, SCDSB Superintendent and Aboriginal Lead states “We are proud to introduce aboriginal culture during the formative years, and recognize the importance of enhancing our programs and implementing and developing new initiatives to support aboriginal student achievement.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board has recently re-launched the “Who Are You” voluntary self-identification campaign for aboriginal students. According to Snow, ”This is part of a larger, long-term initiative to improve the understanding of aboriginal histories, cultures, and perspectives, by all members of our school communities.”
“Our Dreams Matter Too” to St. James Students
St. James Catholic Elementary School was recently recognized for its participation in “Our Dreams Matter Too” – a walk for culturally based equity for First Nation children. The walk is organized to say now is the time for First Nation and non- Aboriginal children to work together to ensure all children in Canada receive equitable, culturally based services that help them succeed and feel proud of who they are. The project began as a result of the school’s vice principal, Dan Stargratt introducing the Grade 7/8 FI class to “Shannen’s Dream” which is a student and youth focused campaign designed to raise awareness about inequitable funding for First Nations children, and encourages supporters to write letters to their Member of Parliament, to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and to the Prime Minister of Canada. The students then brainstormed and came up with the idea of getting involved with the “Our Dreams Matter Too” initiative by having all Grade 4- 8 students at St. James write letters to the Prime Minister to look at federal school funding. This past June, the St. James students presented their letters to Member of Parliament Glenn Thibeault to bring to Ottawa. This past October, the students were sent a certificate of appreciation from the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada for their participation in the initiative. The students are Chris White, Katrina Cayen and Enara Iturregui.
Elders in the Classroom at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School
First Nation Elder, Vince Pawis visited all grade 5 and 6 students at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School on October 30th. The “Elders in the School Project” promotes awareness, understanding and appreciation of the rich histories, cultures and perspectives of First Nation, Metis and Inuit people. The students experienced a smudge and learned about the Medicine Wheel and heard some of the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
Celebrating First Nation Culture at St. Andrew
The littlest members of the St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School Community are fortunate to have Aboriginal Support Worker Joel Agowissa visit their classroom every Wednesday afternoon to share some of his First Nation Culture with them. The students in grades JK/SK, SK/1 and grade 2 are all very engaged and are thoroughly enjoying the stories being shared.
Learning about Aboriginal Culture at St. Bernadette
Students in grade 1 at St. Bernadette Catholic School gathered in a circle around Aboriginal Educator, Joel Agowissa recently. Joel is sharing his knowledge of aboriginal teachings and traditions with the students.
Donovan Community Welcomes Spring with Traditional Feast
With a new season beginning, we must welcome it with open arms. Wednesday evening, March 21st, 2012, a traditional feast was in order for the Sudbury community to celebrate the beginning of spring. Performing the ceremony, was traditional elder Vince Pawis. Taking place in the gym of St. David Catholic Elementary School, several community members, families, students and staff were on hand to take part in this event. Cheryl Partridge, local aboriginal singer, opened the celebration with the welcoming song Biidagenh which means welcome, come in, in the local Ojibway language. The translation of the lyrics are “Welcome every nation, come in and sit down. Join us” – a fitting song to begin the evening’s event.
Pawis began with a prayer and smudge to spiritually cleanse all participants. He then explained the significance of the four directions in aboriginal culture, focusing on the Easter doorway as it signifies spring. “I am sitting in the Eastern doorway because the season that sits in the East is spring,” Pawis explained. “New life, newborns, marriages usually happen around this time.”
The gym was decorated with the colours of each direction, and after the explanation by Pawis, the group sat down for the “main event”. Traditional foods were served to the guests including fish, wildrice and strawberries. During the meal, Pawis also spoke to the group about the significance of each of the foods and their importance to Aboriginal culture. St. Charles College student Chayenne Oechsler was on hand for the Feast and felt it was successful event for the attending community. “I really enjoyed this evening with Vince,” stated Oechsler. “It was a really welcoming atmosphere, and it was great welcome spring together as well as learn more about Aboriginal culture.”
Submitted by St. Charles College co-op student, Cheyenne Oechsler.
Sudbury Catholic Celebrates Birth at St. James
St James Catholic Elementary Catholic School hosted a Drum Birthing ceremony on Tuesday, December 13th. Students from grades three to six watched as their peers awakened their drums through the guidance of Verna Hardwick, Ojibwe Language Teacher. In September, students had the opportunity to attend a three day retreat at the Killarney Shebanoning Outdoor Environmental Education Centre and participated in everything from scraping the hide to stretching it and preparing their rings. Drum Maker, Clyde Migwans, instructed students on the process and art of drum making. Students walked away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the hard work that goes into making traditional hand drums and gained valuable lessons in patience, stewardship and respect.
In the spirit of the season of Advent, it was appropriate that the students were able to celebrate the birth of the drums. Much like Christmas they shared in celebration with berries, corn soup and wild rice.
Drum makers hailed from St James, St David and St Benedict Catholic Secondary School and were proud to extend the invitation to share in the experience with the St James School Community and Atikameksheng Anishinawbek.