updated 16 December 2014
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
The life of a person is a circle from childhood to childhood. Within each child lies our future and our past.
Anonymous
Anonymous
A shared experience: Cultural sensitivity lesson
Last week, students from both the Ab-Ed and International programs spent a chilly afternoon together learning, sharing, and connecting. The event commenced with a chili and bannock lunch courtesy of the Ab-Ed programs' Jesse Halton. Later on in the Library, Jesse walked both groups (and their teachers) through the Blanket Exercise, an interactive hands-on experience that teaches the long history of colonization on First Nations groups in Canada. It is a "space for raw emotions, compassionate learning, and hands-on experience of culture and history". Thanks to both students and staff for their participation and support of this event! The groups will reconvene in the spring for a tipi raising gathering. Photos courtesy of Tanis Bouchier-Willans.
LVR students join youth powwowSeveral LVR Aboriginal Education students joined over 2000 other students at the fourth annual SD8 Youth Powwow hosted by the Yaqan Nukiy First Nations Band in Creston last week. The event featured hoop dancing, powerful drumming, students dancing in self-made regalia, and several community inter-tribal dances. Photos courtesy of Jeff Yasinchuk.
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Drum meeting at gyro park
Ab-Ed seniors Tressa Ford, Tristalyn Neufeld, Amanda Easy, and Meri Lancaster met with students from the Trafalgar Ab-Ed program last week at Gyro Park to connect, drum, and enjoy some tummy-pleasing bannock! The event is seen as the beginning of a drumming mentorship program aimed at build connections between both schools and their Aboriginal Education programs. Photos courtesy of Jeff Yasinchuk.
LVR aboriginal youth offer input
Jaimie Adams, Heather Pearson, and Rolland Bissonette participated in Selkirk College’s Aboriginal Educators & Support Workers Summit last week. The youth engaged in a dialogue with Elders, community members, and other Columbia Basin youth about 'Balancing the Journey – Aboriginal Success in Education’ facilitated by Elizabeth Ferguson, Native Student Advisor at the University of Lethbridge. Youth then lent their voice and experience in Aboriginal Education to ‘Envision the Journey Together’, a discussion about moving forward in Aboriginal Education using available resources, projects, and plans. Thanks to Selkirk College for providing our youth with this opportunity to share their experiences!
Metis history workshop attempts to make connections
Mr. Wyllie’s Social Studies 10 class was visited by local Metis Elder Bob Adams to learn about the history of Metis people in Canada. He recalled family stories and some local history. Did you know Christina Lake is named after a Metis Woman, Christina McDonald? The youth had the opportunity to learn about the importance of the Metis Sash in Canadian history and what it means to Metis people historically and today. They then connected with history by making mini Metis sashes. A BIG thank you to Bob for his time and for sharing his stories!
Our Mother Drum Awakens
The Aboriginal Education program continues is tradition of Wednesday meets around the big drum. The group meets Wednesdays at lunch in Room 106. All are welcome to sit and enjoy or, even better, take a seat at our 'mother drum'. It's a very empowering and powerful experience you won't soon forget!
LVR Gets Its Own TeepeeThe LVR Aboriginal Education Program recently purchased its very own teepee. This week it arrived and the school community was invited to participate in learning about this 10 000 year old piece of technology. Over four days, twelve classes spent 40-60 minutes learning about Anishinaabe culture including the significant role that the world's first recreational vehicle--the teepee--played in many First Nations' way of life. First though, a group of twenty-five Ab-Ed students spent an entire day with teepee builder, Tony Solomon, learning proper protocol, the history, using the teepee, and how to efficiently raise and lower the teepee. The group was able to effectively erect the twenty-two foot teepee in just under fifteen minutes! Many thanks to Tony (Mukwa Teepees) and co-facilitator Delphine for sharing their stories, wisdom, and knowledge. Next spring, the teepee will be made available to any interested LVR groups for use as an outdoor teaching environment. For more information about the teepee feel free to contact Jesse Halton or Jeff Yasinchuk at 250.354.5538 x5465.
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Credits Available: Independent Directed Studies
All students in the Aboriginal Education program are permitted to enroll in an Independent Directed Studies course in order to study an area of First Nations heritage of great personal interested. Details are being finalized, but students will be able to earn either four credits (100 hours of course work) or two credits (50 hours of course work) over the course of two years. A brochure will be available at the beginning of August of suggested options and ideas for students to pursue including working with a local elder, learning a native language, learning specific First Nations art or carving, creating moccasins or indigenous jewellery, etc. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or call 250.354.5538 ext. 5465.
AMAZING FEATURES OF OUR PROGRAM INCLUDE...
A DROP-IN ROOM (Room 108) with tea, coffee, a computer, and microwave for Ab-Ed student use. All students are welcome to drop in for a visit and say "Hi", during breaks, lunch, and before and after classes. There is also a small supply of beading and art materials, too. Room 108 also offers our senior students a quiet area to work during 'spares'.
We offer academic SUPPORT for students wishing assistance with all subjects. See Ms. MacGregor or Jesse for details.
Whole lot of RESOURCES. We have a growing collections of various books, DVDs, brochures, magazines, and other Aboriginal and cultural resources including post-secondary opportunities and scholarship application forms. Opportunities for Ab-Ed students to enter art, writing, and poetry contests throughout the year. All of these resources are available for student use. Just let us know if you are signing something out from Room 108 so we can keep track!
The spirit of our program is supplied by energetic and engaging young adults, like YOU! We want you to take advantage of the flexibility and variety that the Aboriginal Program provides! For example, our drumming program takes place the first Wednesday of every month in Room 108. All Ab-Ed students are welcome to join us and sit at the drum!
We offer academic SUPPORT for students wishing assistance with all subjects. See Ms. MacGregor or Jesse for details.
Whole lot of RESOURCES. We have a growing collections of various books, DVDs, brochures, magazines, and other Aboriginal and cultural resources including post-secondary opportunities and scholarship application forms. Opportunities for Ab-Ed students to enter art, writing, and poetry contests throughout the year. All of these resources are available for student use. Just let us know if you are signing something out from Room 108 so we can keep track!
The spirit of our program is supplied by energetic and engaging young adults, like YOU! We want you to take advantage of the flexibility and variety that the Aboriginal Program provides! For example, our drumming program takes place the first Wednesday of every month in Room 108. All Ab-Ed students are welcome to join us and sit at the drum!
What Opportunities Does the Program Offer?
The Ab-Ed program at L.V. Rogers offers all students of First Nations ancestry the opportunity to:
ACCESS to academic, social and emotional support;
PURSUE an Independent Language Study for credit in Grade 10 (i.e. Cree, Michif, etc.);
PARTICIPATE in several culturally-based trips and community events, including our First Nations Studies 9/10 course
FULFILL the Grad Transitions program for graduation by volunteering hours within the First Nations community;
OBTAIN information on scholarships and post-secondary funding specifically for students with First Nations ancestry;
APPLY for Metis citizenship and explore possible 'status' eligibility under the Indian Act.
ACCESS to academic, social and emotional support;
PURSUE an Independent Language Study for credit in Grade 10 (i.e. Cree, Michif, etc.);
PARTICIPATE in several culturally-based trips and community events, including our First Nations Studies 9/10 course
FULFILL the Grad Transitions program for graduation by volunteering hours within the First Nations community;
OBTAIN information on scholarships and post-secondary funding specifically for students with First Nations ancestry;
APPLY for Metis citizenship and explore possible 'status' eligibility under the Indian Act.
Recommended Aboriginal Education Resources
SD8 Aboriginal Education website is a great resource and a way to see what else is going on in other Aboriginal Education programs around the school district! As well you can find a link to the Enhancement Agreement, a document that guides all Ab-Ed programs in the district. It has been designed and supported by SD8, the British Columbia Ministry of Education, and all First Nations groups represented in the district.
First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) is another first-rate resource for Aboriginal Education.
Jesse has access to hundreds of articles, books, magazines, and other resources to help students apply for Indian status, Metis status, research post-secondary funding opportunities, and a wealth of rich literature by First Nations authors.
First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) is another first-rate resource for Aboriginal Education.
Jesse has access to hundreds of articles, books, magazines, and other resources to help students apply for Indian status, Metis status, research post-secondary funding opportunities, and a wealth of rich literature by First Nations authors.
Contact our Staff
Toni Appleby is our Aboriginal Youth Worker and Family Liaison and can be found either in her office in the library or in Room 108 Mondays (all day), Tuesdays & Thursdays & Fridays (a.m.), and Wednesdays (p.m.). You can email her anytime at tappleby@sd8.bc.ca or call 250.352.5538 (ext. 5465) to leave her a message.
Ms. MacGregor is the Aboriginal Education Program Coordinator (she is also the chemistry teacher). You can reach her at [email protected] or at 250.352.5538.
Ms. MacGregor is the Aboriginal Education Program Coordinator (she is also the chemistry teacher). You can reach her at [email protected] or at 250.352.5538.