RECONCILE

The Four Directions Program Facilitates Success

The Four Directions program provides a safe, nurturing environment to facilitate successful outcomes for Indigenous students. The program is designed to provide a culturally safe space with two staff members, a graduation coach, and a First Nations, Métis and Inuit student support worker in each secondary school for students to access. They work closely as part of the student success team to monitor Indigenous student achievement and wellbeing. The staff members offer academic supports, food security, and provide connections to many community partners.

Westgate CVI’s KZ Lodge Celebrates New Fire Pit

October 2022

Students from Ms. White’s Ojibwe Language Class in the Kendomang Zhagodenamnon (KZ) Lodge program enjoyed the sunshine while preparing and cooking bannock on a stick around the new fire pit in the outdoor learning space at Westgate CVI. Four Directions graduation coach, Linden Waboose, shared that, “being around the fire gives students an opportunity to connect with each other; friendships are being made around the fire”.

Students from the KZ Lodge program started the project last year. Ms. Harding, the teacher of the KZ Lodge program, said it has been a true collaborative effort to bring this new learning space to life. In the spring, Elder Gerry Martin visited the space to smudge and prepare the grounds for the teachings that would be shared there. With the direction of KZ Lodge students from last year, former Westgate CVI student Jacenia Desmoulin designed the artwork for the fire pit frame which depicts the Seven Sacred Teachings in Anishninaabemowin (Ojibwe Language) and a symbol representing the animal connected to each Teaching. Students from Mr. Lemieux’s metal shop class built the frame and other construction technology classes are working on building tables and benches. There are plans to continue to develop the outdoor learning space with students and community partnerships to include a medicine garden and outdoor learning lodge.

Lakehead Public Schools’ new Strategic Plan and Indigenous Education Framework reflects the Board’s commitment to walk alongside Indigenous students, families, and partners to support Indigenous learners to help all understand the truth of Canadian history and move forward together in reconciliation.

Mapping a Better Future

November 2022

In 2016, the Ontario government passed Bill 207, declaring the first full week in November as Treaties Recognition Week. This legislation was introduced in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, specifically Call to Action 10 which is about respecting and honouring Treaty relationships. This annual event recognizes the importance of treaties and helps students and staff learn more about treaty rights and relationships.

In classrooms and schools across our Board, many learning activities occurred to deepen student understanding about treaties and treaty relationships. Grade 10 students attended assemblies at each of the secondary schools where Indigenous leaders from our local Treaty area shared their knowledge, understanding, and experiences related to treating making and the Land in this territory where we live, work, and learn. In addition, 14 groups of Grade 5 students from 11 schools participated in an engaging experiential learning activity using the Canadian Geographic Indigenous Peoples Atlas floor map. Students had the opportunity to explore treaties in Ontario and across Canada through hands on learning on the 950 square foot floor map.

Jasmine Sgambelluri, the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit education resource teacher at Lakehead Public Schools, coordinated and facilitated the activity with members of the Program department. She shared, “It is important for all students across Canada to recognize the importance of treaties and to understand the shared history of our country. This provides the foundational understanding necessary for us as treaty people to move forward in our relationships in a way that promotes peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and mutual benefit.” At the end of the treaties mapping activity, students reflected on what it means to be a treaty person and were encouraged to share their new learning with their families.

United in Reconciliation

September 30, 2022

Our schools are committed to reconciliation and exemplify this dedication in their respective ways every day in the classroom, and especially during Truth and Reconciliation Week. This year, to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, all our school communities were invited to come together in a united partaking of the local initiative Honouring our Children: Reconciliation Run in Support of Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation.

Students, families, and staff ran, walked, rolled, or strolled around Boulevard Lake alongside community members, businesses, and organizations who all have the cooperative goal of recognizing truth and reconciliation in Canada and harmonizing Northwestern Ontario.

The Honouring our Children: Reconciliation Run in Support of Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation event spoke volumes with immense participation and support from innumerable community members. All proceeds from the event will be directed to Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation to support Anishinabek children and families with a focus on fostering happiness and well-being.

David DePiero, an occasional secondary teacher with Lakehead Public Schools, said today is a very important day across Canada. “For me, I want to contribute to the awareness of the importance of this day, even if it helps in the smallest way in moving forward in reconciliation,” said DePiero.

Anika Guthrie, Indigenous Education Lead, says that providing staff with an opportunity to participate in the local initiative allows them to engage in a community-based act of learning, relationship building, and reconciliation.

“Supporting the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation is a tangible way to honour the strength of Survivors and their families. Their goal of ensuring Anishnaabek children and youth have opportunities to reach their full potential aligns with our vision and mission at Lakehead Public Schools”, said Guthrie.

Every Child Matters T-shirts were available for purchase at the event and all proceeds will go to the Mazinaajim Children’s Foundation. The design of the T-shirt was created by a student from Nor’Wester View Public School and displays a child’s handwriting. This symbolizes the willing commitment of youth in reconciliation and the healing mindset and positive progress that is being passed down to younger generations.

Kelton Bradley, Grade 2 student at Woodcrest Public School, joined his mother in a walk around Boulevard Lake and spoke from the heart when he said “every child matters and everyone should be kind to the Indigenous People who lived here first”. His mother and student support professional at École Gron Morgan Public School, Jennifer Bradley, said “Every child matters regardless of race, religion, or colour of skin”. In schools this week, students and staff commemorated the Indigenous children who were lost and the healing journey of residential school survivors and their families. Lakehead Public Schools looks to the future in its commitment to reconciliation. Academic excellence, well-being, and the safety of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Peoples remains at the forefront as every student’s academic journey is supported and encouraged.

MMIWG2S+ Family Member Brings Awareness and Understanding Into Schools With Real-Life Story

MMIWG2S+ Family Member Brings Awareness and Understanding into Schools with Real-Life Story

May 2023

Sharon Johnson, Full Moon Memory Walk volunteer and MMIWG2S+ family member was a guest speaker at several schools and a staff member group in the days leading to May 5^th, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+), also known as Red Dress Day. Sharon joined us to share about her personal connection and the advocacy work she does to promote understanding and awareness. She explained to senior elementary students and staff that her little sister, over 30 years ago, became a victim of MMIWG2S+ in Thunder Bay. Sharon discussed the effect the tragedy had on her family and spoke about her present journey of raising awareness of MMIWG2S+.

Across our schools, students and staff learned more about the significance of Indigenous women’s historical and contemporary roles in their Nations as well as their vital contributions to Canadian society while bringing awareness to the epidemic of violence Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people are facing. The National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two-Spirit People is a day to commemorate and bring awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people who have been subject to gender-based violence in Canada.

All three secondary schools and two elementary schools, Woodcrest Public School and Crestview Public School, received in-class visits from Sharon and the Indigenous education team. The presentations were moving. Tanya Moses, First Nations, Metis and Inuit Partnerships Coordinator with Lakehead Public Schools, offered a beautiful rendition of the Water Song and spoke of the importance of respecting water. Cups of water were shared with all students to complement the teaching.

We encourage our Lakehead Public Schools community to participate by taking time to read the Calls for Justice that came from the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. There is a role for everyone in ending gendered and racialized violence against Indigenous women, girls and two spirit people. https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Calls_for_Justice.pdf

Students, families, and staff can access resources available to provide support:

Hope for Wellness – 1-855-242-3310 (toll free)

Children’s Center Thunder Bay – 807-343-5000

Talk 4 Healing – 1-855-554-HEAL (4325)

Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Crisis Link – 1-844-413-6649

Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868

Ogden Community School Celebrates with Pow Wow

April 2023

Through a close partnership with Biwaase’aa, Ogden Community School engaged the school community in a festive pow wow this spring to celebrate Indigenous culture and tradition. Indigenous drummers played and sang traditional Indigenous songs while the group danced and experienced the beauty of the pow wow.

Students Combine Indigenous Culture and Personal Creativity Through Dreamcatcher Workshop

Spring 2023

Students at Whitefish Valley Public School were full of smiles during a traditional dreamcatcher workshop this [month/season]. To prepare for the activity, the Grade 7/8 class read about several Indigenous cultural practices and received a teaching on the meaning and significance of dreamcatchers. The students were provided with natural materials to make their own dreamcatchers and add their own personal touch to an Indigenous cultural item they could keep. Whitefish Valley Public School knows the importance of increasing the knowledge of both students and staff around Indigenous history and perspectives. The school recognizes and honours Indigenous cultures and histories and is pleased to bring activities such as this one to the classroom.

The Grandfather Drum

May 2023

Hammarskjold High School hosted a ceremony this spring to honour the teachings of the goose (nika in Ojibwe). KZ Lodge students from the Hammarskjold High School and Westgate CVI sites participated in the ceremony and welcomed younger students from Algonquin Avenue Public School. Opening activities included a smudge, a blessing of the drum which was built by the KZ Lodge students, staff, and elder Louis, and a drum playing with Elder Marcel, Elder Louis, and principal of Algonquin Avenue Public School Mr. Darren Lentz.

The day proceeded with Indigenous arts and crafts, teachings on the goose, goose plucking, and the preparation of a feast with community partner Roots Community Food Centre. The feast included goose soup, moose roast, potatoes, macaroni and cheese, Bannock, and tea.

Lakehead Public Schools was pleased to offer students the opportunity to experience Indigenous culture at school and to work effectively and meaningfully with Indigenous ways of knowing. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre and Roots Community Food Centre for embodying the principle that Indigenous education is for all peoples.

Schools Participate in 3D Archery

April 2023

The School 3D Archery Tournament sponsored by Lakehead Archers, Northwestern Ontario Sportsmans Alliance, OFAH Zone B, and D&R Sporting Goods took place in April with three schools participating in the tournament. All schools are a part of the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) and include Algonquin Avenue Public School, KIngsway Park Public School, and Westmount Public School. They all brought archers to the day-long event organized by Lakehead Archers. NASP and the schools hope to grow the event next year and add on to the success of this first-time event in Thunder Bay. This year’s overall championship went to Kingsway Park Public School. Thanks to Shane Baker of Lakehead Archers and all the volunteers for making this event possible for our student athletes.

Learning in Indigenous Languages

Lakehead Public Schools proudly offers the Indigenous Language program at six schools: Ogden Community School, Sherbrooke Public School, Armstrong Public School, Algonquin Avenue Public School, St. James Public School, and McKellar Park Central Public School. Ojibwe is taught in schools across the Board through the services of a Native as a Second Language teacher who supports new teachers in building language fluency and providing programming supports and consistency. In addition, two fluent Ojibwe language speakers support language learners at the elementary level through Sherbrooke Public School, and at the secondary level through Superior CVI and Hammarskjold High School.

A Steady and Consistent Learning of Ojibwe Vocabulary

As part of Whitefish Valley Public School’s efforts toward Reconciliation, the entire school is committed to learning the Ojibwe language together, a little bit every week. The school introduces a new word each week to expand the students’ and staff members’ knowledge of Ojibwe vocabulary. Students are encouraged to use and practice their newly learned Ojibwe vocabulary with each other throughout the week. This initiative began during Literacy Week in January and will continue until the end of the school year, with hopes of starting again in September. The school uses the resources available on the Lakehead Public Schools website as well as the Ojibwe People’s Dictionary. This work is also being done in classes through word study and the “Barren Grounds” book study.

Rattle Making at McKellar Park Central Public School

February 2023

McKellar Park Central Public School held a traditional rattle making session this year. The workshop was facilitated by Elder Ron Cook and Mr. Richard Jourdain. The session focused on the importance of rattles in First Nations cultures. A rattle may be used as a dance rattle or to accompany the rhythm of the drums. Many Indigenous cultures use the rattles in ceremonial rituals. All students in Grades 4 to 8 participated in the session with support from our Biwaase’aa partners, First Nation, Metis, and Inuit student support workers, student support professionals, Native as a Second Language teachers, classroom teachers, and trustees.

This workshop promoted classroom success, belonging, culture, and identity. In addition, it increased the knowledge of both staff and students around Indigenous history and perspectives and permitted the school community to recognize and honour Indigenous cultures and histories.

Empowerment of the KZ Lodge

Lakehead Public Schools is proud of its two KZ Lodge locations – North at Hammarskjold High School and South at Westgate CVI. The KZ Lodge is an Alternative Secondary School program that takes place in a school setting and incorporates Indigenous land-based learning and life skill building. The KZ Lodge supports Indigenous youth and their transition into a mainstream secondary school setting by providing a ‘soft landing’. The program fosters student creativity, encourages critical thinking, helps students make connections to their culture, exposes students to real-world connections, technologies, and careers. In the KZ Lodge program, students become empowered to be autonomous, reflective, and collaborative learners prepared to live and contribute in a changing world. They become equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to participate more fully in the unique civic and cultural realities of their communities. The program creates a welcoming, culturally respectful, and inclusive learning environment for Indigenous youth as it integrates culturally relevant content into the curriculum and strengthens community-based partnerships. The program is made possible through a partnership with the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre.