Non-Instructional Day
Traditional Plants & Medicines
Presenter: Melaina Patenaude (Land Apothecary)
Melaina Patenaude is of Georgian Bay Métis and Mixed European ancestry. She now resides on Vancouver Island. Melaina connects deeply to the importance of fostering collective stewardship for the natural world and values cultivating meaningful relationships with people, animals and Mother Earth. Melaina created Land Apothecary in 2015 as a platform to connect people and plants. She creates handcrafted herbal teas, soaps, skincare products, and herbal medicines to share. Malaina will share knowledge about herbal tea making including harvesting, protocols, and different ways to make herbal tea for health and wellness.
Métis Perspectives on Cultural Wellness
Presenter: Lisa Lightening, Métis Nation of BC
The Michif word Kaa-wiichihitoyaahk (ka-wee-chi-hi-toy-yahk) means “we take care of each other.” This word was chosen as the title for the guide because caring for our family and community is an important value of Métis people. We express ka-wiichihitoyaakh and cultural wellness towards one another by practicing our culture and treating one another with respect and kindness. The content looks at Métis history, Metis strength and resilience, Métis culture and Métis nation today. The resource includes chapter overviews, building prior knowledge, questions for reflection and test your knowledge.
Presenter: Dewayne Roberts, ISPARC
Dewayne is a a highly experienced health and wellness coach. He is a Master Facilitator for the ISPARC Fit Nation program. He will demonstrate various Indigenous games.
Presenter: Archie Chantyman
Archie will provide an introduction and talk about his verbal history. He will touch on his family tree and then talk about his walk and residential schools. A video March with Arch will be viewed about Archie’s walk.
Understanding the Circle
Video - Dr. Martin Brokenleg
A Dr. Martin Brokenleg video, from Reclaiming Youth at Risk organization will provide an introduction to the Circle of Courage. Educators who use Circle of Courage in schools will share best practices and classroom strategies on how to implement the Circle of Courage model in the school.
Knowledge keeper/Sun Dancer
Presenter: Terrance Paul - Nazko First Nation
This Session will be on how to decolonize and to bring First Nations ways about the culture, values and beliefs of and the connection to the land. This workshop also allows one to examine oneself and see the healing process through values of sun dance and the relationship to the land. Some of the teachings are around the drum.
Presenter: Doreen L’Hirondelle - Principal, Aboriginal Ed (AM ONLY)
The practices included in this presentation can be considered when teaching Indigenous students in the classroom. It is important to be aware of and value the culture of Indigenous students. Indigenous people who share a common cultural background also share certain patterns of thinking, views and interests. When educators become more aware of these cultural elements they can be more effective in teaching Indigenous students. Therefore, when we consider the learning styles, communication styles and best teaching approaches for them, we become sensitive to: background differences, value systems and ways of viewing the world.
Education Resource
Grades 1-6 - 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grades 7-12 - 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Presenter: Brandy Martin, Learning Bird
This session will introduce learners to the resource Nuxalk Dakelh Grease Trail. The kit supports and develops community connections by encouraging learners to build relationships with community members, Knowledge Keepers and Elders. This resource supports language arts, social studies and cultural studies courses for grades 1-3 kit. (This kit introduces content) 4-6 (plants and animals) 7-9 (story of the Grease Trail) and 10-12 (mapping).
The sweat lodge ceremony will consist of one round, during which the temperature will increase due to the heated rocks. While traditional sweat lodges typically include four rounds and reach higher temperatures, this session will be more moderate.
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable attire. Suggested clothing includes a T-shirt and skirt/shorts. Each participant should bring a towel and bottled water.
Please note that women should refrain from participating during their moon time. Elder Jim Edgar will lead the ceremony and will be accompanied by a singer.