Winter 2018 Aboriginal Education SHARING STORIES TO S UPPORT OUR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES voice kiʔsuk kyukyit – Good afternoon, Ktunaxa territory xastsxlxalt – Good day, nslxcin from Sinixt territory Weyt-kp – Hello, Secwepemc territory Tawnshi - Hello, Michif (Language of the Metis People) Nestled in the mountains with still a light frosting of snow, Aboriginal Education is well underway for the 2018-2019 school year. We are moving forward with the Aboriginal Education department goals of improving literacy and numeracy through land based learning, providing opportunities for students to share their individual stories, and working toward Truth before Reconciliation, deepening relationships with the traditional territories our school district operates on and the Metis Nation. Created by the Aboriginal Education staff last year, we looked at the fire within and our daily work with students, families, and communities. This is such an exciting time in education, in history, and in our personal stories – as we all witness Indigenous ways of knowing blossom! What does blossoming look like in SD8? Whether that is through student pride in sharing a pow wow dance, a personal regalia story, a drum song, a new graphic design, entrance to College, or graduating with dignity and identity, or connecting to community teachings, or finding a sense of belonging in school, the faces of SD8 Aboriginal students, their learning, their successes and their dreams and goals are diverse. Yet, we see the goals of our District Enhancement Agreement flourishing through a variety of student successes, as individual as each of those bright faces. The District Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and Elders’ Council, for the first time this year, welcomed guests from both the Syilx, Okanagan Nation Alliance, as well as guests from Enderby, from the Secwepemc Nation. Sitting alongside, long standing guests from Lower Kootenay Band and the Metis Nation, the council meeting in November was rich with collaboration, introduction, and shared learning. We also invited student voice to this council, which is another shift in a new and positive direction. We look forward to continuing to walk alongside Aboriginal students in SD8, as the seasons change and new dreams emerge. Kukwstsétsemc ~ thank you, Jenna Hopper (Nelson Family of Schools), Gail Higginbottom (Secwe̓ pemc Nation) Danica Weager (Indigenization Coordinator), District Principal, Aboriginal Education Andrea Mann (Mount Sentinel and Brent Kennedy), and Gail Higginbottom (District Principal of Aboriginal Education) 1 Partnerships and stories Tansi! Welcome to winter! One of the great things about having our District Aboriginal Education office based out of Trafalgar Middle School is the beautiful views we get of the mountains surrounding Nelson. This morning as I Running into our friends, Leah, Jessica, write this, I am watching the dustings of and Angus (not pictured but there in snow glisten as the morning sun first hits spirit), from Selkirk College! it. It’s sparkling and it’s incredible. Looking forward to playing in this snow! These past couple months have been full of learning, relationships, new friendships, and teachings. We have had time to strengthen our partnerships with our friends at Selkirk College on the topic of Indigenization. We have also had the chance to meet and get to know some of our incredible Nation partners from the area. It has been a very humbling and exciting time. Thank you to our partners for your teachings, time, and kindness as we embark on this journey! SD8 staff rockin’ our mocs! I was very lucky to attend the 2018 FNESC conference with a few friends from the district. Many great workshops and many inspiring people. We also had the opportunity to tour North Vancouver School District and learn from Brad Baker, Vancouver School District, and the University of British Columbia. I was lucky enough to meet one of my favorite authors at the conference, Eden Robinson (Monkey Beach and Son of a Trickster). One of the many teachings that has been sticking with me since then is this teaching from Kevin Loring…”Stories are medicine…they allow us to slip into the worlds of others…they create wonder and excitement…they remind us of what is important”. Now it is up to us to use our voice and tell those stories. Oh, by the Reconciliation Pole at UBC way, Eden’s current book recommendations are the Marrow Thieves and Moon of the Crusted Snow. One of the main highlights of the past few months has been getting to know our amazing students and staff around the district. From Meadow Creek, to Slocan, Drumming with students at Jewett Elementary to Creston, to Salmo, and everywhere in between – we have incredible students and staff. Thanks for welcoming me to your schools and for learning with me! Warm wishes, Danica Weager (Peguis Nation), District Indigenization Learning dance steps from students at Authors panel at the 2018 FNESC Conference! Erickson Elementary Coordinator 2 Canyon Lister Super Stars! Submitted by Laurel Ewashen of Canyon Lister Elementary Our Be the Change students from CLES, had the amazing opportunity to attend We Day in Vancouver this November 22! As a celebration of their efforts during the past six years which included raising money to build a well in Kenya, purchase bricks to build a school in Ethiopia, raise local awareness about the importance of water, pollution, invasive plants and participating in a community building spaghetti dinner fundraiser, students were given the privilege of reserved seats and a backstage pass to meet the some of the amazing presenters. One individual they visited with was Spencer West. Spencer lost his legs as a young child and has met and conquered so many challenges in his life inspiring our students to be who they are, to try their best, to stand up for what you believe in! The day began with the acknowledgement of the traditional territories as the Chief welcomed the audience to their Salish territory saying it is everyone's land to become connected to, to take care of and protect. Several presenters spoke of their First Nation's ancestry; all were role models for our students that heard about the good, the challenging and the journey that we must all take in our lives as we learn who we are and strive to be who we want to be! And there is more!! Scare the Hunger efforts collected 390 non- perishable food items that were then donated to our local Gleaners food bank! Bannock Bakers were busy during our Metis Awareness month! A big THANK YOU to Mrs. Laurel Ewashen and all the Canyon Lister Elementary School students for their incredible community work! 3 News from Nelson Family of Schools Submitted by Jenna Hopper of Nelson Family of Schools As Fall winds down and we move into the deep contemplative time of winter, an inner stillness begins to call our attention. This is a time for reflection and integration of the seasons past. Spiraling inwards we seek understanding. My time in the Nelson Family of Schools has been busy to say the least! The winter months will allow me to look more intently inward and reflect on where we have been and where we may yet go. Some students were looking to our teacher, the sweetgrass braid, to help us understand flexibility and peaceful strength. Students have been practicing their three strand braiding while acknowledging the teaching of mind, body and spirit. To learn any new skill is challenging and I have been so proud to see how many of the students have embraced their braiding despite how tricky it can be at first! This is a braid that was created by South Nelson students. They were asked to select three fabrics. Other students were looking to our teacher, the squirrel, One to represent body, one mind and one spirit. to guide our path. Gathering acorns, drying them, cracking them with rocks and other hand tools, boiling them (like...a lot) and grinding them with large rocks, creating our own mortar and pestles on the earth .All of this was done in honor of the work that our ancestors would have been embodying. The students carried this work with real dignity and perseverance. Experiencing pattern recognition through the teachings of eagle mouse with all of the students has been really rewarding. To teach them that we are all related in this web of life, for me, is the heart of our ways of knowing. It is the love. This is what frames the picture. Holds it like the sacred treasure that it is. Sharpening the tool of observation through story is one of the things our elders are so masterful at. They help us to see the picture that is framed by relationality. They embody it. I was honored to have guest Sandra Jacques, a Mi'kmaq traditional Knowledge Keeper and friend. Sandra taught the students, and myself, more about the grandmother drum that is at Wildflower. We learnt that you can give the mother drum a drink of water! I thought that was so beautiful. Sandra was wonderful with the students and they had so many interesting questions for her! We were able to do some cooking in the kitchen. We made bannock. Although bannock is not a traditional food, nor is it very nutritious, it is incredibly comforting. In these times of uncertainty and disconnection, sometimes a piece of bannock works its own unique medicine. Being in the kitchen with our grannies, aunties and moms is so important. Now we will look to our teacher, winter, to guide our paths. We simply have no choice. Winter is a stern, obedient teacher. Year after year it endures and so too do we. Even more from CLES! Submitted by Laurel Ewashen of Canyon Lister Our Remembrance Day Assembly was filled with reminders of gratitude.