In June, we celebrate National Indigenous History Month to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. Leading up to June and throughout the month, Wellington Catholic has organized several virtual guest speakers for our students so that they have the opportunity to learn about different facets of Indigenous culture.
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 will have the opportunity to hear from speakers on a variety of topics:
Kindergarten
|
Date |
Time |
Presenter |
Description |
|
Tues., June 7 |
9:15-9:45am |
Jan Sherman Indigenous Knowledge Keeper
|
Mother Earth And I Are Friends In Anishnaabe teachings, one of the greatest gifts we can offer our children is to support them in developing relationships with the natural world. This virtual Circle will take children on a Kinship Walk using story and song.
|
Primary Grades 1-3
|
Date |
Time |
Presenter |
Description |
|
Tues., June 14 |
9:30-10:00am |
Jan Sherman Indigenous Knowledge Keeper |
Our Elders are Important to Us – Jan Sherman Jan will use storytelling to share traditional teachings about the importance of Elders in her Anishnaabe culture. The Anishnaabemowin language will be introduced through one story told in the oral tradition.
|
|
Mon., June 20th |
9:30-10:00am |
Jennifer Parkinson Grand River Métis Council |
Métis Jigging & Fiddling: Learn more about the culture and history of Métis Fiddling & Jigging in a fun and engaging presentation with music and dancing. Students and teachers can try some of the basic steps in their classrooms. |
Junior Grade 4-6
|
Date |
Time |
Presenter |
Description |
|
Mon., June 6 |
11:15-12:15pm |
Aalpi Inuk Helper |
Inuit Elders & Youth Aalpi will share stories about his family and the importance of Elders and Youth in Inuit Culture. Also includes a video about The Man & The Giant/the legend of the fog. |
|
Mon., June 20, |
11:15-12:15pm |
Grand River Métis Council: Jennifer Parkinson |
Métis 101 Interactive virtual circle on the ethnogenesis (self-identity) of the Métis. Learn who the Métis are and how their Nation came to be. This engaging presentation is interactive and will include showing items used including furs, flags, sashes, birch bark canoe (mini), finger weaving, and Métis beadwork. |
|
Tues. June 22 |
1:45-2:45pm |
Jan Sherman: Indigenous Knowledge Keeper |
We Are Stories Jan will engage students in reflection about life stories that we share every day by offering some of her personal experiences. She will relate her stories to Anishnaabe beliefs in kinomaage which loosely means “The world will show you the way”.
|
|
KEYNOTE Friday June 10 |
9:15-10:15 |
Riley Yesno Link to more information on Riley
|
KEYNOTE: Riley Yesno Join influencer and change maker Riley Yesno where she will share some of her thoughts on the importance of celebrating excellence, achievements, resilience, and contributions by Indigenous Peoples.
|
Grade 7/8
|
Date |
Time |
Presenter |
Description |
|
Mon., June 6 |
1:45-2:45pm |
Aalpi Inuk Helper
|
Inuit History This presentation covers the government displacement of different Inuit groups and the impact of this diaspora, high arctic relocation, the dog slaughter, and E-numbers |
|
Mon., June 20 |
1:45-2:45pm |
Grand River Métis Council: Jennifer Parkinson
|
Advent of the Métis Learn more about Métis history from 1713 - 1850, including women in the fur trade, The Hudson Bay Company, the sale of Rupert's Land, the West entering Canada, the Red River Rebellion, Riel's Exile, the Northwest Rebellion, and why the Métis still celebrate Riel Day today. |
|
KEYNOTE Friday June 10 |
9:15-10:15pm |
Riley Yesno
|
KEYNOTE: Riley Yesno Join influencer and change maker Riley Yesno where she will share some of her thoughts on the importance of celebrating excellence, achievements, resilience, and contributions by Indigenous Peoples.
|
Secondary
|
Date |
Time |
Presenter |
Description |
|
Thurs., May 26 |
12:30-1:30pm |
Jesse Thistle Métis Cree Author and Assistant Professor |
Kindness: The Stars that Light Our Way - What actions can young people take to affect change? Most would think that shelter, freedom, or food are the most pressing issues for survival for someone cycling through the Canadian justice system and homeless institutions, but not for Jesse Thistle. Join Jesse as he shares how it was the kindness of others that ultimately saved his life. Jesse will incorporate examples of Truth and Reconciliation through the actions and kindness of others and what he would like to see more of. |
|
Mon., June 6 |
1:45-2:45pm |
Aalpi Inuk Helper |
Inuit History This presentation covers the government displacement of different Inuit groups and the impact of this diaspora, high arctic relocation, the dog slaughter, and E-numbers |
|
KEYNOTE Friday June 10 |
1:45-2:45pm |
Riley Yesno
|
KEYNOTE: Riley Yesno Join influencer and change maker Riley Yesno where she will share some of her thoughts on the importance of celebrating excellence, achievements, resilience, and contributions by Indigenous Peoples.
|
Our Program Staff with responsibilities in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education have collated a number of exceptional reads and made available in our school’s libraries for students of all ages:
|
Book Title |
Author |
Nation |
|
It’s a Mitig
https://goodminds.com/products/9781771622738
|
Bridget George |
Ojibwe |
|
Nibi is Water
https://goodminds.com/products/9781772601329
|
Joanne Robertson, Isadore Toulouse, Shirley Williams |
Ojibwe |
|
When We Are Kind
https://goodminds.com/products/9781459825222
|
Monique Gray Smith |
Cree, Lakota, Navajo |
|
Swift Fox All Along
https://goodminds.com/products/9781773214481
|
Rebecca Thomas |
Mi’kmaw; Ojibwe |
|
On the Trapline
https://goodminds.com/products/on-the-trapline
|
David A. Robertson |
Cree, Métis |
|
The Giving Tree: A Retelling of a Traditional Métis Story
https://goodminds.com/products/9780920915905
|
Leah Marie Dorion, Norman Fleury |
Métis |
|
Poems to Honour Mother Earth
https://goodminds.com/products/strong-stories-metis-poems-to-honour-mother-earth
|
Leah Marie Dorion |
Métis |
|
The Girls and the Wolf
https://goodminds.com/products/9781926886541
|
Katherena Vermette |
Métis |
|
Emma’s Gift
https://goodminds.com/products/9780986874093
|
Deborah L. Delaronde-Falk |
Métis |
|
The Rebel Gabriel Dumont
https://goodminds.com/products/9781553794769
|
David A. Robertson |
Métis |
|
The Bee
https://goodminds.com/products/the-bee-english-edition
|
Becky Han |
Inuit |
|
Grandfather Bowhead, Tell Me A Story
https://www.orcabook.com/Grandfather-Bowhead-Tell-Me-A-Story
|
Aviaq Johnston |
Inuit |
|
Kits Cubs Calves
https://goodminds.com/products/9781772272741
|
Suzie Napayok-Short |
Arctic, Inuit |
|
The Dancing Trees
https://goodminds.com/products/the-dancing-trees-english-edition
|
Masiana Kelly |
Northwest Territories, Inuit |
|
A Summer Day in the Community
https://goodminds.com/products/9780228704935
|
Masiana Kelly |
Inuit |