Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Indigenous Education

Walking With Purpose – St. Benedict CSS Holds Walk for Wenjack

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

On September 30th, St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School students and staff came together to recognize the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation by putting together and completing a Walk for Wenjack. 

What is Walk for Wenjack? 

Walk for Wenjack is a grassroots event that started in 2016. The first walk retraced the steps of Chanie Wenjack, beginning at the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, ON, and continued to Redditt, ON for a ceremony representing Chanie’s final resting spot near Farlane.  

Since it’s been established, the Walk for Wenjack has provided Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada with the opportunity to participate in Secret Path Week in a meaningful way. The purpose of this walk not only empowers personal reflection, but further helps to acknowledge that everybody has their reason to Walk for Wenjack. No matter what that is, the walk is set up to help people honour their reason. 

“Depending on the person, everyone has different connections to this day,” Says a St. Ben’s Grade 8 student who participated in the walk. “It doesn’t have one true meaning, but it is an opportunity for us to think about it together and what it might mean to yourself, and also to different people.” 

According to the Walk for Wenjack website, for some individuals, this day could be a moment to honour Chanie. While for others, it may be an opportunity to raise awareness of the true history of residential schools. Nevertheless, both the school and Walk for Wenjack organization expresses that each walk is genuinely unique and has helped community’s understand how this day can impact and mean different things to different people. 

Details of the Walk

The walk took place outside, on the St. Benedict’s school track. It was done over the course of the day by one class at a time to maintain safety and social distancing. At the end of the walk, each class tied an orange ribbon around St. Benedict’s “Every Child Matters” flag pole to help create awareness and promote togetherness. 

In addition to the walk, signs were posted around the field to help remind people of the purpose of why they were walking. Each class also had a student representative that carried an “Every Child Matters” Indigenous flag, which was proudly displayed in the school’s front hall after the event. 

“Though we could not walk altogether, our flag pole was a strong visible display that has helped unite our staff, students and community members together by showing our support is something we all participated in.” Says Merrill Sanowar, Vice Principal of St. Benedict’s. 

Future Action

The event is just one of many that their school will hope to participate in the future. As of this year, St. Benedict has signed up to be a Legacy School. 

To be a Legacy School, entails that the Downey Wenjack organization will provide educational resources and program development to help ensure that Indigenous peoples’ unique interests, rights, and perspectives are recognized and implemented in St. Benedicts education and community. The Legacy Schools program is a free national initiative put on by the Downey Wenjack organization to engage, empower and connect students and educators to further reconciliation through awareness, education and action (#reconciliACTION) and will help create a close knit environment people can be comfortable and express themselves in. 

“This is a commitment towards action. As an entire school community, this will be successful by all sharing and participating in this together. Every Child Matters isn’t exclusively talking about our Children. Every person was a child at one time. We want to show that we are doing this together and wish to let the community know.” Says Laura Kuzenko, Principal of St. Benedicts. 

Photo Gallery

Sudbury Catholic District School Board Lowers Flags in Honour of BC Residential School Victims

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board joins communities across Canada in honouring and praying for the 215 Indigenous children whose bodies were discovered on the grounds of the Kamloops Indian Residential School in Tk-emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation territory. 

To honour their lives, flags at all SCDSB schools and board buildings will be lowered for nine days (May 31-June 8) – a total of 215 hours to represent each of the 215 children. As a sign of our collective mourning, the Board will also be participating in the National moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. today as we honour and acknowledge the children who never returned home.

“Today, we honour the lives of the 215 Indigenous children who will not be coming home. It is a heartbreaking tragedy and while there are no words to truly express the deep mourning those impacted are experiencing, we humbly offer our prayers that they and their families will find healing. We also acknowledge the pain and trauma this brings to all Indigenous peoples across the country, and we recognize the need for ongoing truth and reconciliation. May God continue to watch over the 215 souls and their families,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of the Trustees for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

“All Sudbury Catholic District School Boards schools and facilities are standing in solidarity with communities across Canada in honouring the 215 Indigenous children. While it is indeed an unspeakable tragedy, we send continued prayers and healing to all those affected and to the Indigenous communities in the Sudbury area and across the country. We have lowered all flags for 215 hours and will join the National moment of silence at 2:15 p.m. As a system, we are also wearing orange shirts on Wednesday, June 2 and will unite in a collective prayer service as a reminder that every child matters,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education for the Sudbury Catholic District School Board.

St. James Students Learn Through Snowshoe Adventures

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

Grade 2/3 FI students at St. James School thoroughly enjoyed their Snowshoe Inquiry that was been made possible through Sudbury Catholic Schools Experiential Learning Grant. One of the inquiries that has sparked the student’s enjoyment of the outdoors has involved the study of Northern Ontario birds. Thanks to a community partnership with Walden Home Hardware, the class also received bird seed to create a variety of different homemade feeders for the schoolyard. We are always grateful for the collaboration and support of our community partners.

St. David Students Participate in the Traditional Fall Harvesting of Sage

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

At St. David School, the students, in partnership with local community leaders, have the opportunity to learn on the land. Part of “learning on the land” involves learning about traditional medicines and the appropriate harvesting of these medicines to ensure that a rich plant ecological community continues to grow each year.

This fall, with the leadership of Mr. Will Morin, the school’s Ojibwe Language students harvested sage that was planted by a previous Ojibwe Language class. Sage, along with sweetgrass, cedar and tobacco, is one of the four sacred medicines in Anishnawbek culture. It is used in prayers and ceremonies.

The students of St. David Catholic School harvested and dried the sage and will be soon bundling it as to prepare it for use in smudging and ceremonies.

According to Mrs. Dawn Fielding, the Ojibwe Language teacher, “One of the most meaningful things that we can do for our students is connect them to the land. Our school community is privileged to be nestled in nature and have access to wonderful traditional people to support new learning for our students on the land.”

Students Participate in Make-up Themed Challenge

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

Students at Sudbury Catholic Schools were challenged to apply themed makeup applications in a local contest that promotes the skilled trade of aesthetics. Over 100 students from grades 7-12 participated.

Robyn Lafortune Indigenous Support Worker at Bishop Carter Alexander and Tina Trudeau Indigenous Support Worker at Marymount Academy challenged students even further by asking students to plan Indigenous themed makeup application. The challenge was to use their face as a canvas to communicate a message of strength, resiliency or as a call to social action.

Grade 12 student, Miranda Monzon placed first in the board-wide competition.

Miranda states: “This challenge really touched my creative side, I have always wanted to do a really dramatic makeup look but never had the motivation to do it. As soon as I found out that I could participate I immediately wanted to join. The theme was traditional Indigenous makeup and since my family is Indigenous I thought it would be perfect.The theme I went for was standing up for all the missing and murdered Indigenous
women, that’s what the red hand- print over my mouth has meant. The colours I chose to do on my eyes was just inspiration from some of the jewelry my grandmother had sent me for the contest and I wanted to match the head piece I had worn. The makeup on my chest was to show the earth and how our land was stolen from us. I decided to go very deep into this look but I did for my grandma and my family because I want to stand up for what she had to go through”.

Every Child Matters: Sudbury Catholic Schools Honours Orange Shirt Day

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

Staff and students throughout the Sudbury Catholic District School Board joined hundreds of others across Canada by participating in Orange Shirt Day on Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

By wearing orange shirts, we recognize the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being and it serves as a symbol of our commitment to reconciliation. Since it began in 2013, the phrase “Every Child Matters” has been used as part of the movement to recognize the value of every child and for communities to come together.

“The Sudbury Catholic District School Board firmly believes that every child matters and as such we will continue to honour Orange Shirt Day year after year,” said Joanne Bénard, Director of Education. “We are committed to Truth and Reconciliation and we strive to find opportunities for our staff and students to come together in support of intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.”

We Proudly Announce This Year’s Recipients of the Chairperson’s Award

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Chairperson’s Award. All three individuals embody the Board’s mission, vision and values. They are each passionate about Catholic education and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to student success.

Cathy Spencer is an Educational Assistant at Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S who always strives to put students first. She has worked tirelessly to meet the needs of students at risk, often taking the lead on projects such as the Open Doors program and the Breakfast Club. Through Cathy’s everyday positive attitude, she is a beacon of light for staff and students alike. She is regarded as a kind individual who brings a smile to all who meet her in the halls at Bishop and makes everyone feel welcome and included.

Ginette Toivonen is the Indigenous Education Facilitator for the Board. Through this position, she ensures that the Catholic values are integrated with the Ojibwe Seven Grandfather Teachings. As Indigenous Lead, Ginette has created many opportunities for students to feel comfortable and safe at school while learning with their peers about Indigenous knowledge and World views. Ginette is an innovative, caring and inclusive individual with a true passion for what she does.

Melanie Johncox is an Literacy & Basic Skills instructor at St. Albert Learning Centre who supports our adult students at the Sudbury District Jail four days per week. In her role, Melanie works directly with students on their individual learning plans, approaching each student with a caring and supportive approach and ensuring that they have the resources that they need to succeed. Melanie models Jesus and our Catholic values in her interactions with all learners and is seen as an empathetic and compassionate member of the St. Albert Learning Centre community.

“Each year, I have the honour of recognizing individuals who are difference makers and leaders within our Catholic learning community,” said Michael Bellmore, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “These individuals are always inspirational and are a true representation of what it means to be a leader in learning and faith. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are proud to recognize the recipients and thank them for their continued service and commitment to Catholic education.”

This year’s award winners were recognized at the April 21 Board meeting and will be honoured formally at a later date.

Cathy Spencer (left), Ginette Toivonen (middle) and Melanie Johncox (right) have been chosen as this year’s Chairperson’s Award Recipients.

Bishop Alexander Carter’s new cultural room is officially open

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

The end of 2019 was the very beginning of this new initiative aimed at supporting youth and bringing awareness and knowledge around the indigenous culture at Bishop Alexander Carter. Robyn Lafortune, the school’s new Indigenous Support Worker was very pleased to join the school community.

This room has been named the “Sacred Room” and the hope is to create a safe place for students to work, talk, learn and connect with one another. The students will have the opportunity to help design the space and support with future mural projects within this space.

Moving forward students will be able to participate in a variety of different activities and teachings that will be facilitated in this space. Guest speakers will be invited to discuss their experiences and provide students with sacred teachings. On days where there are no planned activities this room becomes a safe space for students to drop in throughout the day either to work or talk with Robyn.

We are happy and pleased to welcome all students at Bishop Alexander Carter into this room to learn and share together!

St. David School Receives Visit from Laurentian and the National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education

Posted on by Carlee Vendramin

St. David School received visits from Laurentian University this past week! The National Centre for Collaboration in Indigenous Education (NCCIE) promotes Indigenous education they feel is innovative, exciting and worth celebrating. Their mission and vision is to connect parents, educators and students to their “grassroots”, which will advance the planning and success of Indigenous education. Laurentian professor and NCCIE regional lead, Kevin Fitzmaurice, was at St. David to interview staff, elders and students about their experiences in schooling and what they think of St. David from an academic, social and spiritual point of view. Videographer, Brandon Gray is filming a documentary on the school to highlight the integration of Indigenous culture and curriculum. According to Gray and Fitzmaurice, “St. David is an Indigenous Education success story”, which they would like to share in film to help support educators and academics across Canada.
One of our community Elder’s Vince was at the school erecting our very own Teepee with Mr. Mailloux’s grade 3/4 class. What a great experiential learning experience it was for them to embrace with their peers and teacher.

Register Now! E-mail Copied to Clipboard