WELLINGTON COUNTY – June is Indigenous History Month, and students attending local schools will celebrate with Indigenous-focused events and lessons.
UGDSB
The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) “recognizes this month as an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the rich and vibrant knowledges, contributions, histories, cultures and futures of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples respectively,” officials state.
The Indigenous education department has created a calendar with daily activities, weekly topics and extension activities for staff.
The calendar focuses on the theme of celebration and incorporating Indigenous content into kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms with lesson plans, inquiry activities and live-streamed events.
There will also be in-person and virtual events throughout June.
Teddy Syrette, a two-Spirit, Anishinaabe artist and advocate from Batchewana First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, will be visiting the UGDSB to provide professional development to educators about 2SLGBTQIA+ and inclusion in schools.
They will also present at an evening event for Indigenous families and an event for Indigenous secondary students and allies.
On June 13, the Indigenous education department will host a virtual PD session with author of the Mighty Muskrats series, Michael Hutchinson, to discuss his books and how they can help weave Indigenous content in junior curriculum and classrooms.
From June 17 to 21, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk and the North Sound will be visiting elementary schools across UGDSB to present “Echoes of the Land,” a celebration of Indigenous stories and songs.
Delbaere-Sawchuk, a celebrated Red River Métis fiddler, and Forrest Eaglespeaker, a storyteller and musician from the Blackfoot community, merge their heritages to present a series focused on self-love, empowerment and the deep connections with land and nature.
WCDSB
At the Wellington Catholic District School Board, officials say “Indigenous Peoples Month is an opportunity to bring to the forefront and celebrate the diversity and incredible contributions by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit and make connections back to the learning [students and staff] have been doing throughout the year.”
Educators have been provided with age-specific resources that honour the stories, resistance, resilience and contributions by Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous students were to attend Jiingtamok (Powwow) at Maawnjiding Wiigushkeng Centre for Indigenous Excellence and Land Based Learning in Mississauga on May 31.
Grade 3 students at St. Joseph in Guelph will participate in a bead looming collaboration with Métis partners Leslie, Jennifer and Alicia.
And all students have been provided the opportunity to participate in painting Revolution of the Heart with Ojibwe storyteller Isaac Murdoch.
