Northland School Division

Mike Mercredi, Experiential Learning Initiative Coordinator, Kerri Ceretzke, Principal, Kiesha Saddleback, Cecilia Adam, Calvin Waquin and Lisa Murphy, Teacher

Representatives from Athabasca Delta Community School (ADCS), Father R. Perin School, Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI), Lake Athabasca Youth Council (LAYC) and Sekweha shared and gathered knowledge while attending the Indspire National Gathering for Indigenous Education in Calgary. They participated in workshops related to preparing Indigenous youth for leadership roles and reviewing resources to make learning more relevant for Aboriginal students November 13^th and 14th. Click here to view Workshop Descriptions. 

In addition, ADCS, Father R. Perin, SCI, LAYC and Sekweha were involved in presenting two workshops! ADCS Teacher Lisa Murphy and Experiential Learning Initiative Coordinator Mike Mercredi, shared the land-based learning journey in Fort Chipewyan. See workshop description below.

Our School's Land-Based Learning Journey Category:

Physical – Doing Audience:

All Land-based learning passes on knowledge, skills, and values, and allows people to understand place, utilize their language, and regain trust. From an Elder donating the use of his trap line to the creation of seasonal learning wheels, Athabasca Delta Community School strives for bi-cultural teaching and learning by removing barriers, securing resources, and creating common understandings for the well-being of our youth. Participants will learn how experiential land-based learning can change relationships and community engagement, and how to increase school, academic, and land awareness and understanding between community members and educators through working and living together on the land. This workshop will be recorded and available online.

Mike Mercredi, Experiential Learning Coordinator, Lake Athabasca Youth Council and Sustainable Communities Initiative, Fort Chipewyan, AB

Lisa Murphy, Teacher, Athabasca Delta Community School, Fort Chipewyan, AB

Mike Mercredi, Pam Nokohoo from Sekweha and Rosalind Best from Father R. Perin School in Janvier presented the second workshop The Seasonal Learning Wheel: A Holistic Planning Tool. They described how community partners collaborate to provide opportunities for youth to develop confidence to Walk in Two Worlds. Guests learned about the Seasonal Learning Wheel and how it can be applied to experiential learning. See full description below.

The Seasonal Learning Wheel: A Holistic Planning Tool Category: 

Spiritual – Being Audience: 

All an interactive, youth-led story describing how community partners collaborate to provide opportunities for youth to develop confidence to Walk in Two Worlds. Learn about the Seasonal Learning Wheel, a tool based on the Medicine Wheel, co-created to organize Experiential Learning activities that meet learning needs around ways of Doing. Participants will learn what tools are used to achieve Walking in Two Worlds; how a youth led initiative collaborates with community and industry partners; and how land-based learning contributes to the holistic education experience for youth in Northern Alberta communities. 

Calvin J. Waquan, who helps to mentor youth in Fort Chipewyan, shared his thoughts following the gathering. 

"People may pass us by like smoke from a sweet grass braid,” said Waquan. “But every so often there's a pebble tossed into our motionless lake of life. So simplistic in nature but so vital for change. With every person another ripple, together we can create waves felt by every inch of this ever changing society."