North Battleford Comprehensive High School students, left to right, Jaydasin Bruno, Victory Sapp and Allyssa Poitras, celebrate Indigenous Histories Month at the school. (Submitted photo/Carla Bernier)

By Angela Brown

Cultural awareness

NBCHS celebrates Indigenous Histories Month with guest speakers, traditional cuisine

Jun 4, 2021 | 5:29 PM

Students at North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS) will have an opportunity to increase their awareness about Indigenous culture and history during the month of June as part of National Indigenous Histories Month.

Included among the activities will be a special traditional meal on National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Since students attend school in-person on different days, based on which cohort group they are assigned to as part of COVID-19 restrictions, Indigenous Peoples Day, usually held on June 21, will be celebrated at the school on both June 21 and June 22.

Madison MacKeracher, NBCHS Native Studies teacher, as well as First Nations and Métis graduation coach, said a traditional meal of soup, bannock and Saskatoon berry dessert will be provided for students to enjoy for lunch.

Guest Young Elder Alvin Baptiste will offer a prayer and smudging before the meal.

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“I want students to learn how strong Indigenous culture is,” MacKeracher said. “But also how we all play a part in supporting one another, and learning about the history of Canada.”

The school will have a variety of virtual events during the month as well, with each week focusing on a different theme, recognizing each of the four quadrants of wellbeing—mental, physical, spiritual and emotional.

“We’re just trying to do some learning together—staff and students alike,” MacKeracher said.

On June 4, Battlefords community supporter Krista Fox was scheduled to visit and speak to students outside at the nearby track about her plans to walk across Canada next year to raise awareness about the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

“We are going to go and walk a few laps,” said MacKeracher. “We’re also going to give her an honorarium so that we can donate to her cause.”

She said the students will walk in solidarity with Fox by joining her around the track.

A number of guest speakers are participating in the month’s events virtually as well.

Among the presenters are Kim Night from the local area who will discuss mental health issues.

Janelle Pewapsconias, also from the area, will speak about the water crisis some First Nation communities are grappling with, and the importance for everyone to be able to have access to clean potable water. She will also discuss what people can do to help take care of the country’s water sources.

Next week, Alvin Baptiste will share some teepee teachings with the students.

Students will also learn about the issue of residential schools, as part of Canada’s difficult history, during the month.

“We have collected tons of resources and lesson plans so teachers can use these in their classrooms,” MacKeracher said. “Our teachers have been asked to incorporate teachings and the different themes each week.”

MacKeracher said the school wanted to keep the events virtual so that they are accessible to students whether they are studying from home or in-person when the speakers are giving their presentation online.

“I think it will be a really great way for students to connect with one another and learn about each other, and also connect to what is the history of Canada, what have we learned about Canada and what still needs to be learned about Canada,” she said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow