Northland School Division

Source: https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100013248/1100100013249

Canada’s National Aboriginal Day is annually held on June 21 to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding achievements of the nation’s Aboriginal peoples. There are three Aboriginal groups in Canada – the First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

Learn more about events at Northland schools that celebrate and showcase Aboriginal values, customs, language, and culture!

Central Office: Central office staff will be learning about Northland School Division's adaptation of the Kairos Blanket Exercise. The exercise is a teaching tool to share the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Chipewyan Lake School: The school is going to be joining Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik's (Bigstone Cree Nation School) Aboriginal Day celebration. The event will include Pow Wow dancers, Metis jiggers, bannock on a stick, traditional games, crafts and a performance by local singer Mathew Cardinal. 

Elizabeth School: The school is celebrating Metis Day on #AboriginalDay. Some of the organized activities include traditional games, story/musical chairs, traditional food, crafts, Log sawing/nail pounding and Metis display!

Fort McKay School: From 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., the school has planned bannock making, traditional hand games, beading, dancing and drumming performances. 

Grouard Northland School: The school is going fishing at the Grouard Bridge and doing some Aboriginal art project at the school. 

Hillview School: The school will be going on a field trip to the Native Cultural Arts Museum in Grouard. This Northern Lakes College museum provides quality learning experiences to the public by respectfully portraying the history, cultures, and languages of northern Alberta https://www.northernlakescollege.ca/about-us/native-cultural-arts-museum. Students will have the opportunity to experience arts and crafts, story telling, puppet theater, making bannock and other activities. 

Kateri School: The school is hosting the 1st Annual Cree Language Festival! The festival begins at 1:00 p.m. with Cree language presentations by students! A community feast is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. evening competitions will begin at 6:00 p.m. Visit the Kateri School website for more information http://katerischool.ca/. 

Peerless Lake School: The schools has organized a number activities to celebrate Aboriginal Day. Activities include sports, cooking fried bread, story telling and a community feast at 5:00 p.m. 

Career Pathways School and Mistassiniy School: Both schools organized a number of activities for Aboriginal Day. In the morning, Cree Instructor/Elder and students will be singing "Oh Canada" in Cree, Cree Instructor will be educating everyone about the history of Aboriginal Day, the history of Metis people in Wabasca-Desmarais and Bigstone Traditional Drummers will be performing. Other morning activities include art and crafts, traditional hand games, another traditional game called double ball and storytelling. In the afternoon, everyone will be able to watch traditional Pow Wow dancers and Metis dancers. Five tipis will be set-up by the students. 

St. Theresa School: A number of activities have been planned for St. Theresa School students, parents, staff and community members. Opening ceremony begins at 8:45 with "Oh Canada in Cree", Honour Song, Opening Prayer by Elder Mike Beaver and crowning of the St. Theresa Princess. From 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., beading station, traditional games, First Nation, Metis and Inuit move station, storytelling, a Cree sing along, nature walk, drumming and a round dance.  

Susa Creek School: Starting at 12:30 p.m., the school, with support from local Elders and Knowledge Keepers, have organized a storytelling session, traditional teachings workshop and a session to discuss local history. Students, staff, parents and community members will be able to learn how to make craft as well!