Sudbury Catholic District School Board

Category: Indigenous Education

Holy Trinity teaches students about the Seven Grandfather teachings!

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The Native Language students at Holy Trinity Catholic School embarked on a campaign of education. Students promoted and educated their peers on the seven grandfather teachings, drumming and the importance of Mother nature. This day of learning and sharing was facilitated by Ms. Dawn Fielding, Native Language teacher.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for our grade 6 students to be leaders in learning; their enthusiasm and passion for sharing their cultural knowledge was infectious and my kindergarten friends were thrilled to create music with drums and learn about the importance of respecting our earth” said, Ms. Kelly Beaton, FDK teacher.

The raw truth unveiled during blanket exercise at St. Benedict

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The raw truth unveiled during blanket exercise at St. Benedict

The history of Canada and its relationship with Indigenous peoples was unveiled today at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Sudbury.

A number of students took part in a Kairos Blanket Exercise to learn the truth about how the Indigenous Peoples were treated by European colonizers, settlers and the Canadian government for hundreds of years.

Ms. Dowdall organized the blanket activity in collaboration with the Indigenous Sharing Learning Centre at Laurentian University. She explains that the blankets represent the land we know as Canada (Turtle Island) and works to increase empathy and understanding among participants.

The activity was created in 1996 by the Aboriginal Rights Coalition to develop a new way for people to understand the shared history of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The students walk thru pre-contact, treaty making, colonization and resistance. It’s always followed by a talking circle.

A huge thank you goes out to the classes at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School that participated in the blanket exercise today.

In photo: Avery Dambremont, who is studying grade 11 Aboriginal art takes part in a blanket ceremony in the school gymnasium today.

“Every Child Matters” at St. David Catholic School

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The Native Language students at St. David Catholic School embarked on a campaign of education. Students promoted and educated their peers on “Orange Shirt Day”. This day of remembrance was started by Phyllis Webstad. Ms. Wedstad wore an orange shirt on her first day at residential school when she was six years old. When the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation student arrived at the school, her shirt was removed and taken away.

Webstad began her annual Orange Shirt campaign in 2013 and has since shared her story with thousands of Canadians. St. David School was proud to participate in celebrating the resilience of the families impacted by the residential school system.

Sudbury Catholic Schools Take part in Orange Shirt Day!

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Staff and students showed their commitment for reconciliation by participating in Orange Shirt Day! Many schools took part in the day by wearing orange shirts and pins, as well as educating their fellow peers on residential schools and honour those who are no longer with us.

Orange Shirt Day started in British Columbia in 2013 to commemorate Phyllis’ story. Phyllis had her orange shirt taken away on her first day of school at a residential school. The date was chosen because it is the time of year in which children were taken from their homes to residential schools. The date signifies anti-bullying and anti-racism.

St.Charles College Hosts First Ever Powwow!

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St. Charles College hosted their first ever powwow in honour of Indigenous Education Week! Powwows are traditionally a gathering of Indigenous Peoples to come together and celebrate with song, dance, food and storytelling.

Many students, teachers and community members from a variety of Sudbury Catholic Schools gathered together on St. Charles College’s football field to participate in traditional dancing and music and feasted on Indigenous inspired cuisine. The students loved the opportunity to learn and celebrate this culture!

“Me to We – Youth in Action” Award Winner visits St. David’s Students to talk about preserving water!

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St. David Catholic Elementary School was greeted by “Me to We – Youth in Action” award winner, Autumn Peltier, from Wikwemikong First Nation who visited the Native Language class students.

She and her mother Stephanie talked about her travels around Mother Earth fighting for water, including representing Canada in the Children’s Climate Conference in Sweden, meeting our Prime Minister, and kicking off this year’s Water Walk.
The group then sang Water Song and offered tobacco to the School’s brook, which was named after Autumn. Students enjoyed the discussion and activities and can’t wait until their new friends visit again!

Ash Wednesday celebrated at St. David Catholic School

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St. David Catholic School held an Ash Wednesday celebration to mark the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a time when Catholics prepare for Easter by fasting, repentance and moderation. In the Old Testament, people used ashes as a sign of repentance.

The students and staff of St. David Catholic School spoke about how to better walk with God in practical terms. This means being kind to each other and supporting each other in times of need. According to the school vice principal, Mr. Colin Lapalme, “As a school community, it is beautiful when we can come together and celebrate our faith”.

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