Melissa Fletcher
Fort Frances High School spent last week celebrating aboriginal heritage and culture while appreciating the diversity in our community.
Aboriginal Celebration Week is an annual event that’s not just wild rice soup and bannock burgers in the cafeteria.
Students also had the chance to visit a job fair in the auditorium, which featured different career ideas and information, as well as contests and other interactive activities.
A performance was held later in the week that featured local student talents, including Erika Jourdain and Larissa Desrosiers.
Desrosiers, who performed three songs, including her own entitled “Pull Through,” also participated in the pow-wow on Friday as a traditional shawl dancer.
“I am proud of my culture,” she remarked. “I am loving this week.
“I think it’s important to celebrate diversity.”
Friday’s pow-wow featured experienced dancers and offered the opportunity for students and faculty to join in the celebration.
“Aboriginal Week is a good time for all students,” said FFHS student council president Jessica Allan.
“It shows a proud native heritage and give everyone a little insight into the aboriginal ways,” she reasoned.
Shari Perrault, a Grade 12 student who does not attend Fort High but joined Friday’s celebration, finds it important to appreciate diversity.
“We don’t have Aboriginal Celebration Week at my school,” noted Perrault, who has been a shawl dancer since she can remember.
“So I’m glad we still celebrate it here.”
“Many people are starting to forget the culture,” added Grade 10 student Natasha Petawanaqueb. “This is how we are now, and this is how we were many years ago.
“It’s important to remember the culture,” she stressed.
Fort High students showed pride and respect throughout the week while enjoying the cultural celebration.
