Catholic board backs aboriginal culture

The students and staff of the Northwest Catholic District School Board are pleased to support an initiative of our First Nations’ communities.
At a time when there have been some tensions in the community around understanding aboriginal culture, Education Director Mary-Catherine Kelly encouraged teachers and students to participate in the Naicatchewenin First Nation cultural conference on March 27.
Through funding for the Ministry of Education, the board was able to support students and staff in attending this event.
Brian Smith and Corine Bannon, Native as a Second Language teachers within the Northwest Catholic District School Board, along with other staff and 100 students from St. Michael’s and Our Lady of the Way Schools, jumped at the opportunity to experience firsthand the teachings of our First Nations’ communities.
The theme of the conference was “Recapturing Our Anishinaabe Spirit.”
It focused on traditional teachings such as language and sacred items, clan systems, medicine wheel teachings, the seven grandfather teachings, traditional roles, traditional games, songs, dances, and the drum.
As part of building community spirit and positive relationships, the Northwest Catholic District School Board is pleased to see our First Nations’ communities are creating opportunities to share their culture with our students and staff.
This is just one of the ways we support aboriginal education awareness for the students.
Partnerships with our First Nations’ communities are of great importance, and we thank them for offering these types of educational, hands-on experiences for our students.