Grade 6 students in Miss Scola’s class, at Holy Cross Elementary, acknowledged National Indigenous People’s Day by holding group discussions and participating in an art activity. In the morning, students viewed “In Our Words,” a series of videos from the Ministry of Education that explores the events that took place between Europeans and Indigenous peoples in the early years of settlement, in what is now called Canada. Following each video, students lead discussions on their thoughts of early colonization and how the Indigenous Peoples were treated. In the afternoon, students took part in an art activity that was inspired by Contemporary Indigenous artist Faye Heavyshield. The Grade 6 students are hopeful that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission will lead to a renewed relationship between the Government of Canada and the Indigenous Peoples through respect, rights, co-operation and partnership.
Category: Indigenous Education
Chief Valerie Richer visits St. James Native Second Languages Classroom
Chief Valerie Richer visited Mr. Beaudry’s Native Second Language classroom at St. James recently and shared the history of Atikmeksheng with all the students. Chief Richer is a practicing lawyer and discussed some of the economic initiatives that her community will be planning in the near future. She was happy to meet with all the students and encouraged them to learn the Ojibwe language. She said that some of our stories need to be shared in our language. The students provided her with some gifts following the presentation.
St. Francis students collaborate to create their own community!
St. Francis students and staff are building community and collaboration through regular CLAN challenges. Today St. Francis School’s CLANs were challenged to build a snowman using the recycled materials from our Christmas door decorating contest. The students and staff had to build their snowman and were awarded points.
Each student and staff member is placed in a CLAN which is represented through the Medicine Wheel. Our CLAN challenges are held throughout the year, challenging students and staff to work together on common activities. Each CLAN challenge results in points being earned.
Maggie Polischuk, CLAN Captain said, “Our CLANs program gives us a chance to work collaboratively, be creative, have a voice and contribute to our school and community; all while being silly and having fun! Being part of a CLAN is like being part of a big family. We all become one!”
St. Charles College Honours Treaty Relationship
In honouring the significance of treaties and the treaty relationship, we have two students helping to raise a special flag in our front foyer. Madison Solomon and Hannah Morningstar are both descendants of Chief Shawenekezhik, a signatory to the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850. In raising the flag with Madison and Hannah, we would like to acknowledge that we are in the Robinson Huron Treaty territory. St. Charles College also acknowledges this treaty relationship on our announcements every morning.
Native Language students participate in Remembrance Day Celebrations at Atikmeksheng First Nation
Native Language students at St. James were invited to Atikmeksheng First Nation on Thursday November 8, 2018 to take part in the Remembrance Day Community Celebrations. The students sang O’ Canada and recited In Flanders Fields during the ceremony. Two students Hope and Jacob were asked to bring in the Community First Nations Youth Wreath. The ceremony was followed by a brief social and a community feast. The students had a great time learning about history, culture and ceremony.
St. Anne students honour Treaty Recognition Week with special gathering
Students and staff at St. Anne School gathered in a community circle to learn about treaties and our Indigenous culture today. Jordan Mowat, Indigenous Support Worker shared his bundle, the history of Turtle Island and his incredible gift of song. “What a wonderful learning opportunity for all our students. They were able to experience first-hand the power of the drum and song,” said Alice Desormeaux, FDK teacher. This learning opportunity was part of the school’s Treaties Recognition week activities.
Every Child Matters: Sudbury Catholic Schools Honours Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come. Orange Shirt Day recognizes the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and is an affirmation of our commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters.
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board participated in Orange Shirt Day on October 1, 2018. Special shirts were made to commemorate this important day. The shirts were designed by Erika Poirier and Marja Frederiksen, grade 11 students from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. The logo designed was used for t-shirts, banners and other promotional materials. Staff and students throughout the system participated by wearing these shirts or their favourite orange shirt as a reminder of the importance of this day.
St. Charles College student Dana Lewis was crowned Miss Wikwemkoong
St. Charles College Student Dana Lewis was crowned Miss Wiikwemkoong during the Wiikwemkoong Cultural Festival in August. Dana, who is the goalie for the St. Charles College Girls Hockey team used her hockey skills in the talent portion of the pageant. She also won first place in the biography portion helping her to earn her Crown. Dana stated that she is very excited and honoured to represent her community at various events, celebrations and pow wows as Miss Wiikwemkoong. She was invited to speak about the missing and murdered Indigenous Women at the Sisters in Spirit Conference in October.
In Dana’s biography she wrote: “Giving back to the community is a big part of who I am. At a young age I was provided with the teachings and knowledge for sewing and over the past years I started teaching young girls ages 7-12 how to sew. I facilitate many workshops showing the youth how to make their own regalia, hand drum bags, ribbon skirts. By teaching these youth, I’m passing down my knowledge of our culture for the next generation. I believe that we should be encouraging our next generations to continue with these teachings so they can teach the next ones. This is who I am, a daughter, sister, auntie, teammate, role model, teacher. I believe that becoming a leader takes time, and that Miss Wiikwemikoong will provide me with the experience to one day be a strong leader for my community, my people, my nation.”
St. Charles College is proud and honoured to celebrate Dana’s triumph with her, her family and community.
St. Benedict students win Board t-shirt design contest!
Congratulations to Erika Poirier and Marja Frederiksen of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School for their beautiful t-shirt design in honour of Orange Shirt Day which will take place in October.
Orange Shirt Day is an opportunity for First Nations, local governments, schools and
communities to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations
of children to come. According to orangeshirtday.org, “The annual Orange Shirt …
opens the door to global conversation on all aspects of Residential Schools. It is an
opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of Residential Schools
and the legacy they have left behind. A discussion all Canadians can tune into and
create bridges with each other for reconciliation. A day for survivors to be reaffirmed
that they matter, and so do those that have been affected. Every Child Matters, even
if they are an adult, from now on.”
The Sudbury Catholic District School Board will be honouring Orange Shirt day on
October 1st, 2018 of the upcoming school year.