Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Indigenous Education

Sudbury Catholic District School Board to Celebrate “First Nation Day” Friday, September 25, 2009

Posted on by admin

Sudbury Catholic District School Board will be celebrating First Nation Day on Friday, September 25, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic School, 8 St. Paul Street in the township of Killarney, and the startup of the Board’s Outdoor Education Program for the 2009-2010 school year at the Killarney Shebanoning Outdoor Environmental Education Centre (KSOEEC) at the same location from 10:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

The purpose of the day is to actively promote an increased awareness, understanding and appreciation of the rich histories, cultures and perspectives of First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples to all staff, students and families in the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. Students will also learn about the Board’s Outdoor Environmental program.

Schedule of events:

9:00 a.m. – Students / teacher /community participants meet in circle (around fire pit)

9:15 a.m. – Students and participants help build a small tepee

10:00 a.m. – St. James Catholic School Classes arrive at KSOEEC for Outdoor Education Program

11:00 a.m. – Student dance demonstration (inside school)

11:30 a.m. – Lunch served – Indian Tacos

12:00 p.m. – Students will have their regularly scheduled lunch hour

12:40 p.m. – St. James students split into two groups, (Group A to erect tepees, Group B to participate in outdoor activity)

2:30 p.m – St. James students depart from KSOEEC

Thank you! Miigwetch!

Summer Camp Helps Students Understand Aboriginal Culture

Posted on by admin

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board offered students from across the Sudbury Region the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture over the summer months. For a two-week period students attended the St. David “Summer Camp” which offered them the opportunity to establish new friendships and to learn more about Aboriginal foods, language and culture.

The students also enjoyed the mentorship of Will Morin, a respected member of the Sudbury Aboriginal Community who engaged the students with his stories and his keen understanding of Aboriginal culture.

St. David School Celebrates Safe Neighbourhoods

Posted on by admin

Verna Hardwick, Native Language Teacher and her Grade 5 to 8 Native Language students joined local Aboriginal Artist, Will Morin, Ward 5 Councillor, Jocelyne Landry-Altman and local community members for the grand unveiling of a 15-foot sculpture made of recycled playground rockets. The sculpture was entitled “Strong Woman” and is located at the top of the green stairs near Marymount Academy and the downtown area.

The students and their teacher proudly drummed for the celebration singing the song “Strong Woman”, a song that celebrates the beauty and life giving nature of all women. In Aboriginal culture, women are to be honoured and respected for their role in keeping our world healthy and strong. The students of St. David Catholic Elementary School are proud to have been invited to be a part of this celebration for safe neighbourhoods.

Technology Makes a Splash in Native Language and Native Studies Programs

Posted on by admin

Media Creation Technology Kits have been introduced into all Native Studies and Native Language classes in the Sudbury Catholic District School Board. The kits include student and teacher laptops, in-focus projectors, digital still cameras, digital video cameras, wireless microphones and wireless internet capabilities as well as many more multi media components used in the creation of movies, slide shows, podcasts and web page creations.

Students Make Connections to Themselves in Native Culture

Posted on by admin

The students of St. Charles College and St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School were invited to Atikameksheng First Nation to view a presentation on a Treaty Payment Day and witness a piece of Canadian history in action.

St. Charles Native Studies teacher and Atikameksheng band member, Jennifer Petahtegoose took the opportunity to seize this as a teaching moment by explaining many of the differences and similarities with respect to Native and non-Native cultures. Mrs. Petahtegoose proudly showed her students the band’s eagle staff and explained how “it is a reflection First Nation people and their history.” The students made “talking sticks” in class, which gave them a better understanding of the meaning and history behind their artwork.

Aboriginal art show to be held today

Posted on by admin

Sudbury Catholic District School Board will be hosting an Aboriginal Art show today from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Board’s Catholic Education Office located at 165A D’Youville Street.

There will be an Opportunity for the media to take pictures and do interviews with successful young elementary and secondary artists who use culture and spirituality in the creation of their artwork to transmit feelings, emotions and ideas of our world and our identity. Student hand drumming and Drumming with the grandfather drum will occur throughout the evening as well.

School Boards Share Best Practices in Aboriginal Education

Posted on by admin

Native Studies and Native Second Language Teachers from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and the Wikwemikong Board of Education met at the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve to share best practices in Aboriginal Education.

Sudbury staff were treated to a tour of the Wikwemikong Heritage Organization, Wasse Aubin School, secondary school and Junior school Wikwemikong. All participating teachers shared stories of student success, obstacles in delivering curriculum and ways to support Aboriginal youth in accomplishing their educational goals.

St. Charles College Native Studies Students Get First Hand Glimpse of Careers in Medicine

Posted on by admin

On April 17, the St. Charles College Grade 12 Native Studies class spent the day at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
The Northern School of Medicine incorporates traditional Aboriginal teachings in many aspects of the school and the curriculum.

It was a great opportunity for students to witness the relevance of Native Studies at this prestigious institute of higher learning. The students participated in hands-on activities and got a glimpse into the possibly of a career in medicine. Sudbury Catholic Schools is committed to improving educational outcomes among Aboriginal students through a holistic, community-based approach to learning.

Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario hosts Symposium on Aboriginal Education

Posted on by admin

The Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario in partnership with the Ministry of Education presents “Honouring the Spirit: Equity in Education . . . A Symposium on Aboriginal Education for Catholic School and System Leaders.” This exciting event will take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Science North’s, Inco Cavern.

The symposium will feature special keynote speakers Susan Aglukark, (OC, Aboriginal Recording Artist), and Kathleen Wynne, (Minister of Education), along with George Couchie, (Community Outreach, OPP), and a Student Panel. The day’s events will conclude with an Aboriginal Liturgical Celebration.

For further information please contact, Patty Orecchio, Program Director at The Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario 416-483-1556 Ext. 29 or 1-888-621-9190.

Register Now! E-mail Copied to Clipboard