By Light of Christ Catholic Schools

Celebrating Culture

Indigenous Peoples Day is an Opportunity to Celebrate Achievement

Jun 22, 2020 | 9:27 AM

June 21^st of each year is celebrated across Canada as Indigenous Peoples Day.

It is an opportunity to celebrate the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. In Light of Christ Catholic Schools, it is a timely reminder for us to reflect on the achievements of our students, staff, and programs.

Since 2014, the province of Saskatchewan has been committed to improving graduation rates for Indigenous learners. Alongside this, Light of Christ Catholic Schools became a strength-based organization.

When focused on what each individual does well, everyone becomes more successful. When students and teachers know and understand their top five strengths, they are able to apply them to improve learning and performance in all aspects of their lives. In the John Paul II Collegiate Braided Journeys Program, Graduation Coach Shalen Fox, has noticed many positive changes.

A primary goal of the Braided Journeys Program is to help students develop better mental health and wellness by nurturing a growth mindset.

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Fox says that, “becoming strengths based really helped us to focus on the skills that students need to become more confident, hopeful, and resilient. Through activities such as the grade eight culture days and more land-based education opportunities with BATC at Sweetgrass First Nation, Blue Mountain and Wanuskewin Heritage Park, students are able to see how their culture and traditions equip them to be better advocates for themselves and contribute more to the community.”

Fox says he spends a lot of time in class helping students to use their strengths to become better communicators by encouraging more presentations about a variety of topics. He has noticed that if students talk to their classmates about the culture days, land experiences, and community activities that they are involved in, then they find it easier to talk to larger groups about other learning in school. In addition to developing better speaking skills, they also develop better listening skills that translate to better attention skills in other classes.

Fox says he is most proud of how comfortable students are in the Braided Journey room. He goes on to say that, it is critical for students to feel comfortable, safe, respected, and included if we want them to come to school. “We do a really good job of this at JPII”, he states. “When students know, understand, and practice their strengths, they see that others believe in them and respect them, and they are able to use this to their advantage for the future.”

The Braided Journey Program has also focused on more career exploration and planning opportunities for Indigenous learners. “It really helps the kids to see how what they’re already good at, for example drawing, painting, pow wow and round dancing, hunting, cooking, and sports, can lead to a career or greater contribution in the community as mentors and guides.”

A day like Indigenous Peoples Day is a chance to remember that tipi teachings, cooking, drying meat, making bannock, hiking, storytelling, hunting, fishing, and building shelter through land based learning develops strength and can help all Canadians to become more educated about Indigenous culture in order to end negative stereotypes and racism.

Light of Christ Catholic schools is proud of our First Nations and Métis students, their accomplishments, and their strengths. Congratulations to them and all the graduates of John Paul II Collegiate.