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Aboriginal Nations Education Division G.V.S.D.

The 2012 Aboriginal Nations Grad

Recognition Ceremony & Banquet… took place on May 31, 2012 at the SJ Willis

Education Centre, where 71 graduates were

recognized for their achievements. Five District

scholarships were awarded to the following:

Dr. Rose Lenser, First Nations into Science

Scholarship was awarded to Bae Dawson from Vic

High.

Hemasaka Aboriginal Nations Scholarships were

awarded to Jessica Horrocks, Oak Bay and Marina

King, Vic High.

Violet’s Pride Scholarship was awarded to Gordon

Lesage, Vic High.

Judy Bourne Memorial Scholarships were awarded

to Woolode Gorup-Edwards, Spectrum and Shadow

Alfred, Vic High.

Voices of Our Ancestors, Dr. Taiaiake Alfred

Scholarship was awarded to Breandan McGhee,

Reynolds.

Three Grade 8 Achievement Awards were awarded

to Connor Stevens, Central; Kelsey Lyall, Lansdowne;

and Cheyenne Perry, Colquitz.

Grade 10 Thrifty Foods Achievement Awards

went to Sam Mitchell-Joy, Vic High and Chelsea

Blackmore, Esquimalt.

Congratulations to all the winners!

The 2013 Grad Ceremony is scheduled for

Thursday, June 6th at the S.J. Willis Ed. Centre

Métis sashes were provided by the

Métis Nation of Greater Victoria

Aboriginal Nations Education Division

News l e t t e r

Winter 2012/3

We wish to recognize and acknowledge the Esquimalt & Songhees Nations on whose traditional territories we

live, we learn, and we do our work.

Greater Victoria School District

556 Boleskine Road

Victoria, BC V8Z 1E8

Tel: [250] 475-4124 Fax: [250] 475-4109

The Greater Victoria School

District’s Aboriginal Student

Dogwood Completion Rate has

moved from 33% to 53% in five

years!!!

Happy New Year, we have now

transitioned into 2013 with a shift

in energy and focus. We have had

an exciting start to the school year. We started

with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations hosting a

workshop at the Lekwammen Big House for 375

educators. It was an amazing presentation by Butch

Dick, Brad Dick and Tom Sampson. It provided

insight into the language, culture and teachings of

the traditional territory and provided us with a

great foundation to start the school year.

We ended the month of September with a large

increase of requests by teachers to participate in

the district Aboriginal Curriculum and Cultural

Integration Program. Many district staff and

community members have gone into classrooms and

the schools to support the integration of Aboriginal

content into the curriculum as outlined by the

Ministry of Education’s Prescribed Learning

Outcomes. It has also provided opportunities for


students to be active in their learning, both in the

classroom and on the land.

Aboriginal Education is for all learners, and the

feedback we have received from staff and students

has demonstrated the significance and importance

of having the Aboriginal perspectives woven into the

curriculum for all students and providing

opportunities to experience learning in a variety of

contexts. It is also an exciting time to be an

educator as the number of quality Aboriginal

resources being developed is amazing. ANED

recently published a number of our elementary

resources into French as we also have a high number

of our students in French Immersion schools. We

have also updated our district website to support

teachers, staff and community to access relevant

resources. http://www.sd61.bc.ca/aned.aspx

ANED continues to host the University of Victoria ‘s

pre-service teachers with presentations on

Aboriginal Education and we provide opportunities

for students to look through the large collection of

ANED library resources. It provides students and

teachers with ideas and options on lesson plans that

support the Aboriginal Learning Outcomes in their

practicums. New teachers with new perspectives,

with new experiences, equals new learning for all

students.

As stated by a Vic High student, “It’s all good to read the information from a book, but it doesn’t really help you all the time. To really understand how it was and affected people to this day, having someone in front of you, that lived through what we are studying, is better than any book.” Or another

student makes a choice through experience, “I came to class thinking I would try the Ooligan grease and be the brave one, but after I smelt it, there’s no way!”

As we move into 21st Century Learning we know that

the experiential nature of traditional Aboriginal

learning benefits all students and provides them

with a foundation that will enhance their education

journey and expand their vision of the world.

Nella Nelson, Coordinator

Aboriginal Nations Education Division (ANED)

Introducing the New

BAA Cultural Connections 12 Course

http://www.sd61.bc.ca/aned.aspx


A NED ST A FF A ND T HE S CHOO LS

T HE Y SE R VE

Central Middle:

Ray Forsberg, Academic Support Teacher

Joanne Mitchell, ANED District Counselor

Cloverdale Traditional Elementary:

Jennifer Adam (Bowick), Education Assistant

Craigflower Elementary:

Andrea Jardim, Kindergarten Teacher

Trena Sutton, Skill Development Teacher

Krystal Cook, Kindergarten Educational Asst.

Fabian Quocksister, Educational Assistant

Carrie Craghtten, Educational Assistant

Paul Thomas, ANED District Counselor

Colquitz Middle:


Esquimalt High:

Sarah Rhude, Academic /Support Teacher

Michele Tomasino, Support Teacher

Gail Higginbottom, ANED/School Based Counselor

Diane Sam, Education Assistant

John Harris, Education Assistant

Elena Luna, Education Assistant

George Jay Elementary:

Bianca Lepitre, Full Day Kindergarten Teacher

Willo Bennett, Skill Development Teacher

Pam Russ, ANED District Counselor

Samantha Shaughnessy, Education Assistant

James Bay Elementary:

Sylvia Fee, Educational Assistant

Lansdowne Middle:

Mark Albany, ANED District Counselor

Mitchell du Plessis, YFC

Macaulay Elementary:

Brenda Andrews, Education Assistant

Mt. Douglas Secondary:


Tammy Reid, YFC

Oaklands:

Sylvia Fee, Educational Assistant

Quadra Elementary:

Pam Bourque, Education Assistant

Reynolds Secondary:

Gary Crocker, Academic/Support Teacher


Rockheights Middle:

Willo Bennett, Skill Development Teacher

Shoreline Middle:

Mark Albany, ANED District Counselor

Brenda Pohl, Academic/Literacy Support Tchr.

Elizabeth Camping, Education Assistant

S.J. Willis, Alternative Ed.

Louise Milburn, Dist. Academic/Cultural Support Tchr.

Spectrum Community:

Nicole Williams, Academic Support Teacher


Tillicum Elementary:


Gloria Cardinal, Educational Assistant

Vic West:

Donna Sinclair, Educational Assistant

View Royal Elementary:

Gloria Cardinal, Educational Assistant

Victoria High:

Jennifer Beaupre, Academic/Support Teacher

Joanne Mitchell, ANED District Counselor

Jo-Ann Rooke, Education Assistant

District Aboriginal Nations Art Teacher: Alex Clark

Community Support Services

Butch Dick Songhees Education Liaison

Kristely Kelly Songhees Student Facilitator

[Shoreline/Craigflower]

Charlotte Charlie Songhees Student Facilitator [Esquimalt] Jill Jewer Esquimalt Student Facilitator (Elem. & Middle)

Terry Copenace Esquimalt Education Liaison (Secondary)

Desirée Holmes SD#61/VNFC Liaison

Bonnie Quaite Youth & Family Counsellor, VNFC


ANED Staff in Action

2012 Educational Leadership Conference

Nov. 15-16, 2012

Mark Albany and Jim Young presented at the 2012

Educational Leadership Conference in Vancouver.

Their workshop was titled, “Oral Traditions in Action”. It mobilized people into action and

demonstrated how you can connect children to their

environment in an urban setting, and talked about

the 1100 staff and student who have gone through

our district programs.

2012 FNESC Conference - Nov. 22-24, 2012

Brenda Pohl, Sarah Rhude, Gail Higginbottom and

Diane Sam presented a transition workshop titled,

“Na-sta-maht – One Heart, One Mind”. It

planted the seeds for many school districts including

our own. We know that the transition process is the

key to ensuring success for our students.

Na-sta-maht student participants: Brittany Sampson,

Brittany Wilce, Emma Dewit, Rosie Long, Theresa George,

Benard Sam, Joseph Charlie, Jason Paul.

Missing: Julia Joseph

The Na-sta-maht – “One Heart, One Mind” Program

builds core skills needed for the developmental

transition from middle school to high school. The

intention of this program is to address transition

through a culturally appropriate and safe avenue. A

focus of the course is creating goals for the

present, the near future, and post‐secondary;

students visit a local college, university, and

friendship centre. As well, students are encouraged

to create a personal vision for their educational

future that includes seeing themselves in

post‐secondary settings and highlights practical

tools to help them create a path to higher education.

This is accomplished through cultural hikes,

drumming, circle, technology‐photo story, Elders,

canoeing, gifting, scavenger hunts, and sacred

teachings. In addition, students receive four

credits toward their Dogwood Diploma for

completing the course.

To view the “Na-sta-maht One Heart, One Mind” presentation go to the ANED website, click on the

yellow box “About ANED” and then under “ANED

Today”

http://www.sd61.bc.ca/anedAbout.aspx

Congratulations to Lansdowne Middle School YFC,

Mitchel du Plessis, who was awarded the Service

Provider Award from the office of the BC

Representative for Children and Youth. This is a

very prestigious award for her significant

advocacy work on behalf of vulnerable youth.

Enhancement Agreement in Action: Goal #3 – To increase awareness and understanding of Aboriginal history, traditions and culture.

School News/Activities:

Cloverdale Traditional School

On October 26,

2012, Grade 4

and 5 Aboriginal

students from

Cloverdale

Traditional

School attended

the pole-raising

event at the

Victoria Native

Friendship

Centre (VNFC).

This was a very

special event for

the community as

youth through

the E.A.G.L.E.

Project program

at the VNFC had been working very hard with staff

and Master Carver Carrie Newman on carving the

http://www.sd61.bc.ca/anedAbout.aspx


pole over the past year. This pole is said to be the

second part of a 3-set grouping of poles that will

stand outside of the VNFC in time to come. The pole

that was already standing was raised on June 21,

2011, and is a tribute to the Coast Salish territory.

This new pole is a tribute to the Kwakwaka'wakw

territory, and in time to come a third pole will be

carved as a tribute to the Nuu Chah Nulth territory.

These are the three traditional territories of

Vancouver Island.

The students who attended the event were honoured

with a special role of helping to pull in the lines

which raised the pole. The students then joined the

VNFC community in a feast which was full of

drumming, delicious food, and wonderful community

relations.

We are very grateful to the VNFC staff for hosting

this beautiful event and for allowing some of our

Cloverdale students to participate in a special way.

All my relations,

Miss Alicia BigCanoe, Aboriginal Education

Assistant

Cloverdale Student Comments:

My name is Erika Beaton and I come from the Ojibway people from Sarnia, Ontario. First and foremost I would like to acknowledge that we are learning on Coast Salish Territory, and to thank the Coast Salish people for having us here today. Standing beside me are some of my peers in the Aboriginal program at our school.

On October 26, 2012, we attended the pole-raising event at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. What made this experience extra special for us was that we were invited to help to pull in the lines which raised the pole.

In total it took over 100 people to raise it together. It was very exciting when the pole was

finally standing tall and proud. There was cheering, clapping, and even tears of joy. Our students then joined the community for a feast which was full of drumming, singing, and delicious food.

This was a very special event for the community as youth through the Eagle Project program at the friendship centre had been working very hard with staff and Master Carver Carrie Newman on carving the pole over the past year.

This pole is said to be the second part of a 3-set grouping of poles that will stand outside of the friendship centre in time to come. The pole that was already standing was raised on June 21, 2011, and is a tribute to the Coast Salish territory. This new pole is a tribute to the Kwakwaka'wakw territory, and in time to come a third pole will be carved as a tribute to the Nuu Chah Nulth territory. These three territories are the three traditional territories of Vancouver Island.

We are very grateful to the VNFC staff for hosting this beautiful event and for allowing some of our Cloverdale students to participate in a special way. All my relations.

Frank Hobbs Elementary School

Students at Frank Hobbs come from many

different cultures and countries, and in October,

we celebrated the rich culture of Aboriginal

People with the assistance of Louise Milburn –

Anishinaabe Traditional Teacher.

All of our students had the wonderful opportunity to

hear Louise Milburn talk about the drum, and see our

Grade 5 Aboriginal students make rattles first-hand.

Louise worked with the Grade 5 students and they,

in turn, shared their work with the entire school

body. All of the Grade 5 students were taught a

song, and Mrs. Coughlin (Mohawk) sang and drummed

along with Louise. The beautiful rattles and the

drums that were gifted to our school are proudly

displayed in the foyer of the school.

Cammy Coughlin, Principal


Macaulay Elementary School

École Margaret Jenkins School

Monique Gray Smith, a parent at Margaret Jenkins,

has once again organized an Aboriginal Awareness

afterschool program. The first session took place on

Wednesday, December 5th from 3:00 – 4:00 pm.

Guests from the community will be invited to attend

and Elder Butch Dick, from the Songhees Nation,

has been asked to attend at a future date. Butch

will do some storytelling, drumming and have a

project for the students to take home. All students

and parents of ÉMJS are welcome to attend this

group.

Northridge Elementary School

District teacher, Louise Milburn, visited Northridge

Elementary in the Fall to teach our grade 5 leaders

how to make traditional drums and shakers. The

students were involved in each step of the process

and Louise then shared the history and lore of this

traditional practice with all of the students at

Northridge. The drums and shakers were also shown

to Mrs. Leslie Hall, our music teacher, who

collaborated with Louise during music class time! The

class learned how to treat the instruments with

respect and to wrap them up and put them in basket

so they retain

their shape and

playability,

ensuring many

years of use

ahead for

Northridge

students!

Students Austin

McKenna, Grayson

Nunn & Neil

Crowfoot

learning to

make drums

and shakers.

Art work by Lucy and Greta Landrie

Métis students, Grade 1

Art work by Douglas Champion,

Cowichan Nation, Grade 1


Craigflower Elementary School

“Taking Care of Mother Earth”

At Craigflower School we take good care of

ourselves and of 'Mother Earth'. We have had

fun with Ms. Sutton this year learning about

the environment and how to: reduce, reuse and

recycle. We discovered that many things that

are healthy for the environment are also

healthy for our bodies too. Things like,

drinking water from the fountain, walking

instead of driving, grow food to eat and

turning off the computer to playing board

games. Another connection we have made is

that many of our First Nations' traditional

ways are healthy for the earth. Some of these

activities are: paddling in our canoes, making

our own clothes, picking and catching our own

food and using all parts of what we have.

We enjoyed making a board that shows how we

can help take care of 'Mother Earth'. We look

at it every day as a reminder of what actions

we can take. We feel grateful for all that we

have and want to try our best to take care of

the gifts we have been given.


École Quadra Elementary School

Awards to Two Special Students:

Each year we have the honour of presenting the

Raven Lacerte Award. Raven is a former Quadra

student. She is very proud of her Aboriginal

heritage and when she left Quadra she decided to

give out a $100 award each year to a deserving

Aboriginal student. The award is given to a student

who demonstrates a high level of respect towards

others; attends school regularly; participates in

sports, music, and community service; and puts in

good effort towards their academic studies.

Each year we have the challenge of deciding which

one of our students deserves this award and this

year was an extremely hard decision. We had two

outstanding students. Both of these students are

true leaders in our school. They are kind, caring,

friendly, and outgoing people. They’re athletes as

well as very hardworking, dedicated students. What

is amazing is that without any hesitation they help

their peers and the adults around them. One

volunteers at every school activity whether it be a

PAC or school sponsored event; and the other also a

wonderful volunteer is an amazing peer counselor.

Since it was so challenging to decide between these

two very deserving students, the Aboriginal

Education Department of School District #61,

decided to match the Raven Lacerte Award.

We were very proud to present the Raven Lacerte

Award to Ariel Schellenberger, of the N’amgis

Nation and the Aboriginal Education Award to

Starrla Webster, from the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation

for their outstanding citizenship.

Thank you to Raven Lacerte and to the Aboriginal

Education Department for helping us to recognize

these students.

Sharon English, Vice-Principal

Rogers Elementary School

For the last six years at Rogers, the students with

Aboriginal ancestry go on an annual hike. The

students are led by Mark Albany who shares a

wealth of stories about secrets of the land and the

wise uses of these secrets. After petting banana

slugs, discovering the

magical orange scent

of a coniferous needle,

and peeking inside the

crevice of a tree to

count the rings, the

students come away

from these hikes

better connected to

the natural

environment right

outside their back

doors. This year, the

Aboriginal students at Rogers have the opportunity

for a fall hike and a spring hike. Because the

Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is Rogers

Elementary School's backyard, the student picked

the warmest and sunniest Friday afternoon before

Thanksgiving to spend two hours in the great

outdoors.


South Park Family School

Making dream catchers

Gordon Head Middle School

Gordon Head Middle School and Hillcrest

Elementary collaborated to arrange a drumming

session in which Augie Thomas and his family visited

Hillcrest School for an afternoon drumming session

with our students.

Eight Gordon Head middle school students (grades

7/8) visited 12 Hillcrest (grades K-5) students in

the Hillcrest gym and played both individual drums

and the "big drum." Afterwards we shared a snack

with Augie and his family.

This was our first collaborative/mentorship effort

between our two schools but we plan to organize

another in the spring and are looking ahead to the

2013-14 school year too.

Gordon Head Middle School student quote: "This is awesome. Are we doing it again?" Nadine Naughton, Vice-Principal

École Lansdowne Middle School

Celebrating Connectedness and Social

Responsibility

Here at Lansdowne, we are weaving the Circle of

Connectedness into our school culture. This

connectedness program was developed by a

community of people at Aboriginal Nations Education

Division and addresses the overall goals in the

province-wide Enhancement Agreement. These goals

include:

1) To increase Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, and

Inuit) student’s sense of place, of caring and of

belonging in the public school system.

2) To honour and improve relationships

between the Greater Victoria School District

and the Aboriginal community and parents.

3) To increase awareness and understanding of

Aboriginal history, traditions and culture.

4) To increase success of all Aboriginal students.

The Search Institute states that a “caring school

climate” created by “relationships with teachers

and peers” provides a caring, encouraging

environment and helps young people grow up healthy,

caring, and responsible (40 Developmental Assets).

www.search-institute.org

http://www.search-institute.org/


Our Full Circle Back Pack Club goes out into nature

with Mark Albany and Mitchel du Plessis. We also

encourage other folks to join us. Goals of this club

include connecting youth to nature and indigenous

culture, increasing social and life skills and instilling

a sense of pride and social responsibility.

Some of our learning outcomes include an increase in

social skills, an awareness and deepening of

understanding of local First Nation’s people and an

increase in connectedness to nature.

On these trips we have adventured to Craigflower

Creek, Francis King Park, Dallas Road, Mt. Douglas,

Songhees, Chinatown, Royal Roads, Mystic Vale and

Goldstream Park.

We have had many discussions about the following:

the traditions of the Coast and Interior Salish

people, land stewardship -the importance of

protecting our environment, teamwork, school and its

teachings- world and family history, the importance

of learning from others, taking our learning into the

world, learning about our own families and our own

stories as well as gaining insight and acquiring tools

for our back pack. We have learned innovative

problem solving- how to take our situation and deal

with it, what we draw on for strength, courage,

knowledge, self-care skills, spirituality, as well as

healthy eating, exercise, and how to emotionally take

care of ourselves. We have explored cultural

differences and similarities, compassion for others

and self, and acceptance of others and self.

During our trips we are constantly integrating our

knowledge, our skills and ourselves…

Together, students at Lansdowne continue to grow

connections to themselves, the environment and to

others around them. These are some of the

comments students have made:

I can walk down the hall now and see other people I met in backpack club and they are my friends.

I love nature. I learned that I can believe in myself even when I

am scared. You can use kelp to make music. We all have things in common and different things

too. I like trying new things like the First Nations did. I learned about my history and past. I know how to help someone out when they are

afraid. I think that we need to go out all year and invite

other students to come.

It is an honour to

walk around the

land of the Coast

Salish. I continue

to learn every time

I head out into

nature. Thank you

to our parents and

guardians, to Mark

Albany and Jim Young , Nella Nelson and Ken

Andrews and teachers for continuing to support our

Full Circle Back Pack Club!

With deep gratitude,

Mitchell – Youth & Family Counsellor


Esquimalt High School

Students making drums with Nuu-chah-nulth

Artist James Swan:

Esquimalt High School now has an official

Aboriginal Department!

The team will continue to meet every 2nd week and

that includes all teachers teaching Aboriginal

courses; EA’s: John Harris, and Diane Sam;

Songhees Student Facilitator, Charlotte Charlie;

school administrators; and representative from

Songhees Nation, Butch Dick; the Esquimalt Nation,

Terry Copenance; and the Victoria Native

Friendship Centre, Desiree Holmes; and Nella! The

team is huge and awesome!

Courses offered First Semester:

First Peoples English 12, taught by Gail

Higginbottom, Secwepemc Nation

First Peoples English 10, taught by Barbara

Mitchell-Pollack

First Peoples Science 10, taught by Dave Ashurst

First Nations Studies 12, taught by Michel

Tomasino, Mohawk Nation

Junior Aboriginal Leadership, taught by Sarah

Rhude, Mi’kmaq Nation

First Nations Art 9/11, taught by Omdrea Walker

Wrestling Team highlights:

From coach, Mike Thompson: all the boys have

trained very hard so far and have had great results.

In the first tournament of the year - Johnny Sam,

from the Songhees Nation got a bronze, Caleb Obey

got a bronze, Devon Lepine, from the Songhees

Nation took gold, and Carlton Cochran took gold.

They have another tournament in Cowichan this

Saturday so we'll have to wait to see how they do

there but they are off to a really promising start.

Left: Carlton Cochrane Right: Caleb Obey


Youth Empowerment Workshop:

Intertribal Health came to Esquimalt High with a

team of helpers to deliver a youth empowerment

workshop. The team consisted of Nora Antoine,

Violet Elliott and Kim Erickson. The workshop

included students both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal

youth, and at least 40 attended! This was an

informative and healthy workshop addressing the

impact of colonization, residential schools, healing,

and youth-centered leadership. It followed

traditional protocol and bridged education between

the school and the community!

Grade 12 student, Katie Raven George-Jim, from the

T’Souke Nation is a grade 12 leadership student

extraordinaire! She does everything around the

school and is also a Challenge Program graduate this

year! Some of the highlights of her leadership: Cops

For Cancer fundraising, mentoring with younger

students in leadership, organizing Christmas parties

for less fortunate in the community and is very

involved with all school dances, including meeting

DJ’s and organizing in-dance activities/games!

Mike Smith, from Pacheedaht Nation and Leighton

Lepine, from the Songhees Nation delivered Anne

Tenning’s Aboriginal veteran’s speech to the whole

school at the Remembrance Day assembly. The two

boys practiced and rehearsed and delivered the

speech with strength, compassion and pride!

Jessica Freele, from Cowichan Tribes participated in

the Digital video workshop in Tofino and shared her

video with her peers in FP English 12 with a strong

voice and pride in her work. It was an awesome

achievement and inspired the class to try this as a

project in the course for this semester!

Cameron Ritchie, from the Metis nation, has enrolled

in the LYNC program, a dual credit program with

Camosun College!

Mat Tom, from the Songhees Nation is playing on

the Junior Boys Basketball team, 2nd year in a row!

Also, Charlie Joseph, from the Songhees Nation is

on the team, coming every day and working very hard

as well! Coach Adams had all kinds of positive

feedback about their dedication!

Che Spetter from the Metis Nation is an emerging

self-directed artist; His abundance of pencil

sketches are incredible! Che hopes to pursue a

career in game design and he is artistically well on

his way!

Brendan Oliver, from the Metis Nation is playing

Field Lacrosse and Box Lacrosse. He has played in

about 15 games this year to date, and they are

currently in 2nd place in the Tier 1, Victoria Titans

Division!

Colonist Cup Winners

Devon Lepine,

Team Captain


William George, Songhees Nation: William has

become our go-to student to create posters of

upcoming events! He is taking the Business

Education course; he is keen, dedicated, and

talented!

The following Esquimalt students were a part of

the Super G Club (all had excellent comments on

their report cards):

Meara Ayotte

Cavan Bates-Meyer

Catherine Begin

Madeline Begin

Che Brown

Emma Dewit

Shlan Flett

Terrence George

Acacia Hooker

Random Leblanc

Bailey Legare

Collete Martin

Katie McPherson

Loghin Mikkelsen

“I feel more connected to my grandmother, she taught me and my mom a lot about our heritage. I am proud to be Coast Salish. When can we come back again and learn more. This is exactly where I want to be.”

Student Comment

Keep up the good work everyone!

Life is Like a Box of Crayons By Kelly McLeod

Metaphors can be used to describe my life to a

box of crayons. All the beautiful colors represents

my feelings. The protective paper surrounding the

crayon representing my families’ protection over

me. The drawings the crayons make becomes the

representation of how I view myself and how others

view me. Crayons describe my life so well. My life is

a box of crayons.

A box of crayons have all the colors in the

rainbow and all the colors in-between. The bright

colors made me happy. When I was a young kid they

were the only colors I used. As I grew older I

realized life wasn’t filled with rainbows and

sunshine. This reflected in my drawings became full

of darker colors. Although I thought I had grown

out of crayons I still use them with the kids I

babysit. Now the colors on paper have become the

perfect balance of bright and dark. Asides from

the colors, crayons also have a protective paper

covering their precious colors, like parents

protecting their kids. As the crayons paper

becomes worn and used, the paper just gets in the

way. It is torn off. Not all crayons need to have

the covering anymore. Sometimes right after

ripping off the paper, making it look abused, I wish

I had just left it the way it was. Even though the

crayon will never look new again it is still able to

draw all the same.

The thing about crayons is they are made of a

lumpy bumpy wax. My only wish was to make a

perfect drawing, but the wax would never let me. I

think of myself as a drawing, were I may never be

the master piece, but people would be proud to hang

me up on the fridge. As I grew up I realized that

people were expecting greatness from me only my

best. I came to love that waxy material that gave

the drawing character.

My life can be described so well in crayons.

Each coloring had given an insight in to my emotions.

The protections become unneeded each time the

crayon was used; just like the protection my family

gives me. The character that the wax can give to an

imperfect but very much loved piece of art. Crayons

allowed me to find my way through life, sometimes

without even realizing it. Throughout life I have

found balance, always wanted but not always need

security and have come to terms with the fact that

I’m not perfect, but loving me anyway.


Collaborative Song Bryton Smith (Ahousat Nation) and

Jason Paul (Songhees Nation)

Going out to get this education, life can be a celebration, but we don’t gotta drink, we gotta stop & think

about it. Drinking aint the way, we can get through another day without drinking. All im tryna say is lets

prove to everyone that we can break the chain. Lets show them our true native pride, lets show them our

creative side. Lets take back our native culture, after we do that we can get a better name for us natives,

this isn’t gonna be easy, it isn’t a game. Residential schools hit all us natives hard I know, but its all in the

past, we can come together & make everything better. We can make it through the stormy weather; all we

gotta do is one. Lets get those teachings from the old ways; always respect women, family comes first, take

care of the ones you love. Time To Rise Above

What the Residential School Did To Us Was Unfair. They Abused Our Elders Without Any Care. But Us

Aboriginals Got Something You Don’t Native Pride! We Stand Strong We Stand Together Stand Side By

Side. Some Of Our Got Traumatized Cause Of Residential. The Devastation Was To Much To Be Handled.

Our Language Is Dying, Culture Is Going Keep It Alive, If We All Stand Together Our Pride Will Stay Alive.

Native Pride Is All We Got Don’t Let It Die Keep The Culture Going Language Alive It All Can Be Revived. We

Don’t Want To Be a Dying Race, An Empty Space, Don’t Wanna Be A Tribe Without A Name. Bad Enough We

Got Racial Slurs Against Our Name, We Got Some Racist People Tryna Put Us To Shame. Time To Stand Up

Fight Back Well Em We Had Enough, If We All Stand Together Than We Can Rise Above

Lambrick Park Secondary

During the first two months at Lambrick Park

Secondary, we have focused on relationship building

between our Aboriginal students and our Aboriginal

post-secondary partners. We have invited

representatives from the University of Victoria and

Camosun College to share information regarding

Aboriginal student support systems at the post-

secondary level.

We wish to thank the Office of Indigenous Affairs,

University of Victoria and Aboriginal Education and

Community Connections, Camosun College.

Thomas Thompson, Vice-Principal

Mt. Doug Secondary

Mount Doug Secondary hosted its second annual

Open House for Aboriginal Students and their

families on November 29, 2012. It was a great

evening for those in attendance. We would like to

thank the following people: Nella Nelson for coming

to speak at this event. Her stories, knowledge and

program information were well received by our

students and parents; Tsawout Nation Elder John

Elliott for drumming, singing, storytelling and for

sharing his words of wisdom; Paola Bell for her help

and guidance with this event, support with door

prizes, program updates and her presence during

this evening; Joslyn’s mother Rodrina for making

bannock to accompany our dinner during this event;

Mount Doug Principal Shawn Boulding; all the

families, students, and staff who were in attendance

contributing to a wonderful Open House experience.

Our hope is to continue with this new tradition of

bringing together students, parents and staff in the

Mount Doug community regarding Aboriginal student

success, achievement and graduation. Should you

have any enquiries, feedback or suggestions please

do not hesitate to contact Tammy Reid at

[email protected], 250 477-6977 or C. Paul Thomas,

Aboriginal Counsellor at [email protected].

Happy New Year

Submitted and written by: Tammy Reid & C. Paul

Thomas

mailto:[email protected]



Spectrum Community School

Congratulations to

Lauren G., who won

the outstanding

achievement award

for "Acting" for her

work in the film 'The

Tribe' at the 2012

Eyelens film festival

in Victoria on the

21st of April, 2012.

S.J. Willis Education Centre

Continuing Education: Traditional Teachings

Project

This project started

with my multi-

generational and multi-

ethnic Grade 12 class

expressing enthusiasm

for my proposal that

we explore Aboriginal

traditional teachings

with Anishinaabe elder

and traditional

teacher, Louise

Milburn. On the first day, the entire class

drummed and sang with Alternative Education

staff, students and Louise. Following that, they

sat in a circle in the All Nations Room and

listened to Louise as she opened with a drum and

prayer song, and shared traditional teachings and

stories in the oral tradition. The teachings of

the Medicine Wheel were about looking inward at

one’s life with honesty. Through this inner

reflection students were encouraged to look at

both healthy and unhealthy cycles in their own

lives and within their communities, so that they

could be instruments of change in this time of

healing. The students interacted orally with

Louise and each other as they explored new

experiences, ideas and information. They also

incorporated new perspectives and

understanding into their own thinking.

The English 12 students experienced an ancient

traditional form of healing while they lay on

yoga mats and Louise sang and drummed over

them with songs that were

over ten thousand years

old. Some of the students

were brought to tears by

this experience. Louise

shared that she was taught

by her late elder, Calvin

Sault, that there are three

ways of healing: crying,

shaking, and yelling.

Sometimes these healing songs will bring forward

a release. Several students later visited Louise

individually seeking further knowledge and

understanding in the “healing room”.

The following week, the students interacted and

collaborated in pairs and groups as they made

traditional Ojibway shakers. This hands on

activity required that they initiate and share

responsibilities, listen actively and contribute

ideas and support the ideas of each other. One

of the adult African students spontaneously

broke into song, while trying out her shaker, and

the entire class eagerly joined in. The Aboriginal

spirit and joy was very much alive in the room!

On the final day, the students

drummed, sang, spoke and

shared a multi-national pot

luck celebration. This took

place in the All Nations Room

where the students returned

to the circle to share their

personal learning and

reflections and to express

gratitude for this experience.

Judith Reid spoke to the

group about the recent Elders Project at SJ

Willis and offered each student a copy of the

published book. Students were eager to receive

this and appreciated her

contribution to the circle. Janice McEwen, Teacher,

Continuing & Alternative

Education

“As a student with a Coast Salish background, the opportunity to experience First Nations culture and traditions with my classmates was very special. This sharing of cultures brought us closer together and we formed a community.”


S.J. Willis Education Centre

Alternative Education

This year in the S.J. Willis Alternative Education

program we have seen a wonderful increase in our

Aboriginal population and are now blessed to have 61

Aboriginal students from various Nations. Our focus

continues to be healing: through culture, through

music, through the arts and storytelling, through

traditional forms of healing from around the world,

(i.e. Pranic Healing) and through academic successes.

We’ve been very busy drumming and singing songs in

the hallways each morning, and at weekly community

meetings. Students are acknowledged at our

community meetings for their academic work,

cultural participation, the arts (art, music, visual and

performing arts), and participation in various school

trips and activities.

We have several musically talented Aboriginal

students this year who entertain us with their guitar

playing. We’d like to acknowledge both Nate

Walters (shown on left),

and Stephen Livingstone

(shown top right) for

their excellence in

playing guitar and song

writing. We would also

like to acknowledge

several of the students

(and staff) who join in

our drumming circles.

We are in the process

of setting up a

leadership experience

for our musicians to

teach their peers and

are looking for guitars to be donated to our school.

We would appreciate any assistance in this area. We

are also beginning Powwow drumming in 2013.

Several of our students

are participating in a

hip-hop group every

week with a former

student, Jonathan

Burnett, who wanted to

give back to his

community and provide

an alternate avenue of

self-expression for our

students. Thank you

Jonathan!

Our “healing room” or

self-care room

continues to be used extensively by both students

and staff. It is a place where students can smudge,

share, learn Aboriginal traditional teachings, lay on

an Amethyst biomat, use the “Chi” machine, and

experience Anishinaabe traditional drum healing with

songs said to be over ten thousand years old.

As in the past, we prepare traditional foods for

smoking (Salmon) and go crabbing. We also make

shakers and medicine pouches and our graduating

students will be making drums. Traditional teachings

are shared with everything that is made.

This year nine of our students attended the “Me to

We” gathering in Vancouver and really enjoyed the

day. They were inspired to make a difference in

their community by fundraising for the United Way

and by collecting pennies to help provide clean water

in an underdeveloped country. In the new year we

are looking forward to participating in a program

called “Sacred Circle” which is a dynamic youth

leadership workshop that aims to educate and

empower Aboriginal youth to make change and

become leaders in their communities. This program

is a three-day workshop.

On November 6th eight students from S.J. Willis

attended the Marine Careers Expo at Naden

Esquimalt Base with Wendy Wimbush, Career

Education & Work Experience teacher. Participants

were able to learn about more than 70 different

career paths that await them in the exciting Marine

Sector including trades, professions and services.

Students interacted with shipwrights, pipefitters,

welders, mechanical & chemical engineers, and Coast

Guard and Navy officers.


One of our Aboriginal

students in our

Alternative program,

Alexander Taylor

McCallum (shown on

the left), has had an

amazing year. He

started off by

returning to the Gulf

Islands Film and

Television school

(GIFTS) on Galiano

Island for the third

time, spending twelve

days participating in the Aboriginal Media Intensive

Program. To date, he has acted in seven different

short films. He is also the creator of two films, The

Savage Diaries, which won GIFTS’ award for

Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal Storytelling

at the 17th Annual Eye Lens Film Festival last year.

This fall, Alex created, with the help of Rejean

Child, the sequel to the first film, Savagery. He is

going to start a Blog where he can showcase his

visual art, as well as his music and film.

Equally as exciting is a retreat that Alex attended in

early November in Tofino. The focus of the retreat

was Digital Story Telling. Alex was sponsored by the

Victoria Native Friendship Centre, and spent the

weekend in Tofino with approximately thirty

Aboriginal youth from the island. The youth spent

the weekend with elders who shared stories about

their lives. They were also taught by an elder and

medicine person about traditional medicines. Alex

was gifted with medicine that is often given to

singers, which he continues to use today. In his

words, he felt like he started “using his voice in ways

that he never has before.” All of these experiences

led up to the major project of the camp: a photo

project that youth will create about themselves and

their experiences as aboriginal youth. We will be

waiting with excitement to see what Alex does with

his project.

Written in collaboration with several S.J. Staff

We Day Participants

Pranic Healing Participants


Students in Action:

UVIC Mini Summer Camp 2012 Participants:

Brittany Wilce, Grade 8, Shoreline

Jason Paul, Grade 8, Shoreline

Terrence George, Grade 9, Esquimalt

Avery Nelson, Grade 10, Reynolds

Brandon Alfred, Grade 10, Mount Douglas

Katie McPherson, Grade 10, Esquimalt

William George, Grade 10, Esquimalt

Tribal Journey 2012 Participants:

Jessica Edgar, Vic High Naomi Evers, Oak Bay

Kodie Thomas, Esquimalt Patrick Jones, Vic High

Raven Lacerte, Reynolds Ben O’Cheek, Vic High

Connor Stevens, Vic High

Employment Equity Trades Program Participants:

Brody Scheer, Liam Kelly and John Orr all from

Esquimalt High School.

Brandon Shellenberger is a student from Oak Bay

Secondary School. He is a member of the N’amgis

Nation of Alert Bay and also has Norwegian and

German ancestry. Brandon is a team member of the

Vancouver Island Crimson Tide Rugby Team, he was

selected to play on the BC Rep Rugby Team and won

the gold medal in the Inter -Provincial

Championships in Ontario 2012, in addition to winning

the Victoria International 7’s U 14 and winning a

silver medal in the BC Summer Games. In October he

was selected as MVP for the U14 silver rugby league.

Brandon also plays soccer for Gorge during league

season, and was a silver medalist and MVP for the

U14 in the 2011-12 season. He plays First Nations

Soccer with the T -Bird Soccer Club, and he was a

recipient of the Most Valuable and All Star trophies.

He also received his Shoalin Kung Fu Black Belt at

the age of 12.

Brandon Schellenberger

N’amgis Nation

Oak Bay High School


Upcoming Events:

2013 Vancouver Island Parent Conference

February 23, 2013 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Spectrum Community School

Early Bird Registration by Feb. 1, 2012

For more information visit: www.vipc.ca or email

[email protected]

March 4th UViC Career Fair

The Victoria Native Friendship Centre

Gathering Our Voices 2013 – Aboriginal Youth

Conference

March 19-22, 2013, Penticton, BC

Penticton Trade & Convention Centre

For more information see our website under

Spotlight or email Della Preston at

[email protected]

Indigenous Teacher Education Symposium

March 15, 2013, 8:30 – 3:30 pm

UBC First Nations Longhouse, Vancouver, B.C.

For More information: [email protected]

2013 Indigenous Women in Leadership

May 24, 25 & 26, 2013, Victoria, BC

For more information: contact Marcia Dawson at

[email protected]

Community Connections:

Back to School Picnic The Aboriginal Back to School Picnic was another

outstanding success. Over 700 backpacks, hoodies,

and water bottles were distributed to families from

our community. In addition post secondary students

also received some amazing gift cards. Thank you to

Surrounded by Cedar for hosting and organizing such

an amazing event

ProD Event On the September 17, 2012 ProD day, the Songhees

and Esquimalt Nations hosted a workshop titled,

“Looking In, Looking Out, A Communities Perspective

on First Nations Education”. The workshop was held

in the Big House on Songhees Nation and was hosted

by Butch Dick, Brad Dick and Tom Sampson.

Approximately 375 teachers and school district staff

attended the full day event.

Desirée Holmes

Aboriginal Nations Education Liaison (VNFC)

Hello, my name is Desiree Holmes, I am Okanagan

and Carrier. I grew up in the Lower Mainland. I

graduated from Douglas College in 2011 with a Youth

Justice Worker Diploma and currently just finished

the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program with the

Provincial Government which placed me within the

Ministry of

Advanced Education

in the past year.

With that placement

I have learned a lot

about statistics and

common trends

within the education

system regarding

Aboriginal Students.

Being an Aboriginal

student myself in

the B.C. education

system, I look past the statistics and know the

common issues that Aboriginal students face every

day. I relate, communicate and work well with all

ages of students and their families and I will use my

experience and knowledge to the best of my ability

as the Aboriginal Education Liaison:

acting as an advocate and liaison between the

Greater Victoria School District and Aboriginal

students, parents/guardians, teachers,

administrators and community agencies.

assisting and advising families on educational,

social and school issues.

facilitating the relationship between the home and

the school environment.

directing and assisting students and families to

access those schools, community and government

resources that support the pursuit of education

and career goals.

Desiree can be reached at the Victoria Native

Friendship Centre (250) 384-3211 or at

[email protected]

http://www.vipc.ca/







Bonnie Quaite

Youth and Family Counsellor (VNFC)

With values and interests in youth empowerment,

support and education, I am excited and honoured to

start as the new Youth & Family Counsellor at the

Victoria Native Friendship Centre.

I am Lkwungen (also known as Songhees) with family

also from Cowichan on my mother’s side and mixed

descent on my father’s side. I grew up here on

reserve and attended several local schools.

Following my passions I completed a Bachelor of Fine

Arts at Concordia University in Montreal and the

First Nations Community Studies Diploma Program at

Camosun.

Keeping connected I came home during the summer

of 2009 and 2010 to work on the Land and Sea

Mural at Ogden Point with a team of youth. From

there I began working closely and extensively with

youth programming on the Lkwungen reserve.

I am proud to be back at the VNFC as I also used to

participate in youth programming and I am

committed to providing outreach services to

students in School District 61 and will also be

working closely with school staff. I truly look

forward to meeting and re-connecting with youth,

families, and community.

Referrals can be made by teachers, principals, school

counselors, parents or youth themselves.

Please contact me for more information or to make a

referral by calling (250) 384-3211 or by email at

[email protected]

Journeys of the Heart

Hulitan Family & Community Services

The Journeys of the Heart Program is now accepting

new participants for the 2012/2013 school year.

As Aboriginal families, we believe that it takes a

whole community to raise a child.

The Journeys of the Heart program helps families

to build and strengthen their child's foundation.

The staff of the Journeys of the Heart program

work with the child and their families (at least one

adult) to determine their child's individual learning

styles to help make learning fun.

We believe that a child's identity is very important

to their self esteem. We believe that children who

have a firm sense of identity do better in school.

Cultural identity is a key part of the Journeys of the

Heart curriculum.

Let's work together and celebrate our Indigenous

heritage while building our children's self esteem

and knowledge base so that they may enjoy their

lifelong learning experiences.

The program is free. We run Tuesdays and

Thursdays for a morning program 9:00 to 11:30am

and an afternoon program from 1:00 to 3:30pm and

siblings are welcome. We are ready, we just need

you.

To find out more about our program or to register

please contact:

Julia Clifton (Early Childhood Educator)

#250 384 9466 Ext: 250

[email protected]

Unity Drummers and

Singers

Sing to Live to Sing

For special announcements people can go onto

Facebook under Unity Drummers.




Did You Know?

Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils

(VCPAC) has a link for parents/ guardians who need

help advocating for their child/student. Please visit

their website at: www.vcpac.ca/parents61 and click

on Advocacy.

Aboriginal Student School

Completion Rates

% Dogwood Completion

2007/2008 33

2008/2009 37

2009/2010 41

2010/2011 49

2011/2012 53

Aboriginal Student Numbers Sept. 2012:

Total Ab. Students: 1573

Métis: 247 (16%)

Non-status: 399 (26%)

Status Off-reserve: 676 (43%)

Status On-reserve: 220 (14%)

Inuit: 18 (1%)

The 2013 Aboriginal Nations Grad

Recognition Ceremony & Banquet… is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 6, 2013

at the SJ Willis Education Centre.

2013 Student Role Model Calendar

The 2013 Aboriginal student role model calendar has

been completed. So far, ANED has received a total

of $5,500 in sponsorships including Van City’s

contribution of $3,000. Last year a total of $4,200

was raised. Thanks to Pi’yu h’uts stun C. Paul Thomas,

and Paola Bell for all their hard work on the

fundraising campaign and creating another awesome

calendar!

Aboriginal Full Day Kindergarten

Registration for the Aboriginal

Full Day Kindergarten will be

accepted between January 28 –

February 1, 2013 on a first come

first serve basis.

The Aboriginal Kindergarten

Teacher and Aboriginal Teacher Assistant provide a

positive, nurturing environment for Aboriginal

students. Elders, parents and community members

are involved in the program to encourage learning

based on the culture, heritage and history of

Aboriginal people. This is a full-day kindergarten

program that also provides opportunities for non-

Aboriginal students to be involved in the

multicultural activities.

If your child’s fifth birthday is before December

31, 2013, he or she will begin in September 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: Transportation assistance is not

provided. If you have any questions, please feel

free to contact the schools at:

Craigflower at (250) 384-8157

George Jay Elementary at (250) 385-3381

http://www.vcpac.ca/parents61


Curriculum & Cultural Integration

Program Comments 2012: “I noticed a sense of pride and belonging amongst the students – it is difficult to clearly distinguish this through words, it is more a feeling, a sense of energy between the students. This dynamic was also noted by several other adults who came to witness the creating of the shakers. I heard that although the students didn’t all know each other, there was a commonality there. All of them wanted to be part of this cultural teaching.” Teacher Comment – Lansdowne Middle School “I want to share with you that I’m Aboriginal and I’ve been telling my Grandfather about what we’re doing and he cries. I’m really grateful to learn the culture that he could not share”. Student Comment – Continuing Education

“I feel more connected to my grandmother, she taught me and my mom a lot about our heritage. I am proud to be Coast Salish. When can we come back again and learn more? This is exatly where I want to be.” Student Comment – Lansdowne Middle School

“As a student with a Coast Salish background, the opportunity to experience First Nations culture and traditions with my classmates was very special. This sharing of cultures brought us closer together and we formed a community”. Student Comment – Continuing Education

“Oral/outdoor learning works very well for many students who came back to the school with a real sense of accomplishment. Much greater appreciation of Aboriginal resource usage in the local area as well as many clues of Aboriginal use of environment that they can look for in the future. Mark Albany is a master educator.” Teacher Comment – Central Middle School

“I loved the beauty of the forest, the gorgeous trees dripping with moss, the huge cedar tree at the end of our walk and the waterfall. That was a marvelous day for the teacher too! And, what a treat it was to see an eagle eating salmon and two deer walking in the woods! Maybe next time we could see a bear from a safe distance! I look forward to more field trips with you in the future. Thanks so very much.” Teacher Comment – Tillicum Elementary School


Aboriginal Nations Education has a Resource

Library located at 556 Boleskine Road We are told that we have the best selection of Aboriginal resources in Victoria,

and we are constantly adding books and videos, as well as specialized materials

for teachers. We are very proud of our collection.

We warmly welcome parents and students, as well as teachers and other

community members to come in and check us out. We have a volunteer Librarian.

Please come round to the back of the building, where ANED has a separate

entrance with lots of parking available.

Our hours are 9:00-am to 4:00-pm,

Monday to Friday .

We look forward to meeting some of our children’s parents & caregivers. Please spread the word

Laura Anderson, Volunteer Librarian [250] 475-4131

Paola Bell, Admin. Assistant [250] 475-4124

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