We will achieve equity of outcomes for Indigenous learners in Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. We will continue to examine our environments, structures, and practices to identify and address barriers. We are committed to continuing to strengthen relationships with First Nation communities as rightsholders and collaborate with community partners who support Indigenous children and youth and their families. We will embed learning about Indigenous culture, perspectives, and language in the daily experience of learners in our schools. Some examples of the work of our plan are:
- District-wide staff learning about Truth and Reconciliation, local Indigenous culture, Circle of Courage and trauma-informed practice
- Planned school-wide culture learning aligned with calendar of local cultural seasonal activities
- Visible language and culture across schools (Knowledge keepers in schools, ceremony, welcome signage, elders posters)
- Review of school libraries and resource collections and additional funding for Authentic First Peoples Resources
- Recognizing cultural learning in community with graduation program credits (local Independent Directed Study framework)
- Meaningful engagement of schools and district in Local Education Agreements (LEA)
- Re-engagement with Equity in Action
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER for equity for Indigenous students and learning about local Indigenous culture for all students and staff:
The Story Behind Medicine Bags
Nesika Elementary
With a commitment to move from practice to pedagogy, staff took part in hands on learning about Indigenous Learning and Culture this CI Day. Here we learned from Indigenous Support Worker Mrs. Romaniuk about medicine bags.
The Power of Circle
Nesika Elementary
Today our staff stood in a circle 120 people strong. We joined with staff from across Williams Lake to learn, to engage, and to ultimately grow as educators and stewards of our land. Huge gratitude to our knowledge keepers who spent the day sharing their gifts with us.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Nesika Elementary
Today we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day. Students got to spend the day in the sun learning about and celebrating Indigenous Culture. We were able to take in all the events along the parade route and at Boitanio Park.
The Gift of the Drum
Nesika Elementary
Thank you to Bruce Baptiste and Val McTavish from Denisiqi, who along with our Indigenous Support Workers, gifted their knowledge of drum making to our grade 6 students.
Lahal Preparations
Nesika Elementary
Tsilqot’in Language and Culture teacher Mrs. Jack is currently working with our students on Lahal teachings. Students are learning how the game is played, its cultural significance, and how to make their own Lahal sticks.
Tŝilhqot’in in Nature
Nesika Elementary
We’re so fortunate to have Mrs. Jack as our Tŝilhqot’in Language and Culture teacher here at Nesika. This month, Mrs. Jack is taking language learning outdoors - what a great way to learn and soak in the sun.
Looming for Learning
Nesika Elementary
We are so incredibly fortunate to have two Language and Culture teachers working here at Nesika. Both Danikka Murphy, Secwepemctsin Language and Culture teacher, and Linda Jack, Tsilhqot'in Language and Culture teacher, strive to enrich our learning in many ways.
Pow Wow Regalia Inspired Art
Nesika Elementary
Mrs. Routtu’s K/1 class recently completed a collaborative art project inspired by their learning about pow wow culture. Following their experience with the Thomas Dueck Pow Wow, students worked together to create woven pieces representing pow wow regalia.
Growing Medicines
Nesika Elementary
With support from our Indigenous Department, librarian Mrs. Stevens, has begun a project where she is growing medicines right inside our library. These medicines will be entirely grown and processed by students here at Nesika.
Making Jam
Nesika Elementary
Together with Language and Culture teacher Danikka Murphy, and ICSW Denise Swampy, students took part in learning about food preservation; an important lesson for getting through the winter months. Students were treated to local Saskatoon berries that were harvested by Danikka herself.
The Power of Pow Wow
Nesika Elementary
We were gifted with the presence of Chelsei Gray - renowned pow wow and hoop dancer from Sq’ewlets and Quw’utsun. We learned, we danced, we left better as better versions of ourselves.
A Pledge Towards Reconciliation
Nesika Elementary
Today all our intermediate students spent the day at Boitanio Park participating in Orange Shirt Day Activities while our primary students took part in discussions about Truth and Reconciliation. We spent time learning, reflecting, and making a pledge towards our own reconciliation.
Where We Live
100 Mile Elementary
Nesika Elementary
On District Planning Day staff at École 100 Mile Elementary engaged in a meaningful Secwepemc language lesson led by Irene Gilbert from Tq’ésqen First Nation.
Indigenizing Our Practice
Nesika Elementary
This year, staff at Nesika started the year in circle grounding ourselves in the place we live and learn. We continued our day learning about the return of the salmon to the Secwepemc Territory and the impact this has had on the families in our community.
Celebration of Culture and Language
Nesika Elementary
Thank you Mrs. Jack, with helpers Dancing Water, Freda, William and Danikka for hosting a Cultural Learning Celebration Friday afternoon for our Secwepemc and Chilcotin language students. They really enjoyed the hands-on learning.
Orange Shirt Day
Nesika Elementary
100 students from Nesika Elementary School had the immense privilege to visit the WLFN Pow wow arbor for a gathering of well over 500 students and colleagues from SD27. They took two buses and were there for half the day.
Language & Culture - Project Time
Nesika Elementary
This term has been focused on projects. During the winter months we cannot be outside as much as we'd like to, so we focus on learning hand projects inside. The grade 6s have completed their drums, the grade 5s have completed their rattles, and now Miss Danikka and Mrs.
Grade 6 Drum Projects
Nesika Elementary
Students in Grade 6 have begun construction on their drum projects. Every year students in grade 6 build their own drum with help from Ms. Danikka and Mrs. Swampy. Students learn about the importance of drumming in indigenous cultures, learn songs, and apply their own personal art work.
Chilcotin Language Oral Story-telling
Nesika Elementary
For Day 5 of Literacy Week, we celebrated outside with s’mores! Mrs. Jack taught Chilcotin culture and language class outside and she highlighted the importance of oral traditions in storytelling. Mrs. Peach, Mrs. Guichon and Mrs. Swampy helped us too (including prepping 300 s'mores!)
Learning Secwepemctsín
Nesika Elementary
In Ms. Murphy's language and culture class, students are engaged in playful language acquisition. Did you know you can play Scrabble in Secwepemctsín? Purchased locally!
The Art of Storytelling
Nesika Elementary
Yesterday we were fortunate to have a presentation from Mr. Kenthen Thomas. As a First Nations performer, Kenthen captivates audiences with his fascinating retellings of legends of the Secwepemc, his family land for more than 10,000 years.
Sqleten (salmon) and Trout at Nesika
Nesika Elementary
Ms. Danikka Murphy shared some beautiful salmon and trout with our students last week. Having spent the weekend cleaning and preparing fish for her community, she spoke with the students about the gratitude she feels for the fish who give their lives to nourish ours.