Legacy Schools: June is Indigenous History Month!
June is Indigenous History Month and we’ve got a ton of exciting events happening online and in-person all month long! Our DWF art workshops have been awarded and will be taking place virtually; meanwhile, in Toronto, there will be an in-person event for Legacy Schools at Scotiabank Arena! Finally, with the end of the school year fast approaching, we would love it if you could let us know how we are doing through our year-end survey. Your feedback helps inform our work and we greatly appreciate your opinion!
Legacy Schools Celebration
You’re Invited! DWF’s National Indigenous Peoples Day at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
Pearl, Daisy, and Evelyn, Chanie’s sisters, at Secret Path Live in 2016 – we’re getting ready for a similar celebration honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21st at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
As a member of DWF’s Legacy Schools program, we’d like to invite you to a special event on June 21st for National Indigenous Peoples Day!
In partnership with Scotiabank and MLSE, we are inviting up to 1000 students from our Legacy Schools to join us for a half-day of education and celebration. The morning will kick off with a series of musical performances from local Indigenous artists and other special guests, followed by a Walk for Wenjack where youth can visit different learning stations and participate in meaningful discussions about Indigenous knowledge, language, and culture.
Date: June 21st, 2022
Time: 10:00am – 1:45pm EST
Location: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2X2
We are happy to offer an honorarium of $500 to support transportation to and from the arena. Lunch will also be provided. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this form.
If you are unable to join us in person, not to worry! This is a hybrid event. We are happy to provide you with a virtual link so that your class may enjoy the concert. We will also send you a special virtual toolkit so you can spend the afternoon learning alongside us. Keep your eyes open for more information!
Virtual Events for Indigenous History Month
Indigenous History Month is fast approaching, and to celebrate we’re hosting four virtual events throughout the month of June!
The themes for this year’s program are reflection, honour, and commitment, and will feature Indigenous teachings, artist performances, and cultural presentations from the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. Finally, the month will conclude with a special Canada-wide episode.
Click here to view the full artist lineup and the dates that each episode will air.
PROUD COMMUNITY EVENT PARTNERS
Art Workshops for Indigenous History Month
Mimi O’Bonsawin kicks off the first art workshop at Whitney Public School, Whitney, ON.
Patrick Hunter does a virtual art workshop with Youth Ambassador’s school.
Congratulations to the 20 Legacy Schools groups who will be participating in Indigenous History Month Art Workshops! We were incredibly impressed by the submissions from schools and youth groups!
Schools that were selected are:
Lindsay Lickers – Beading and Treaties Workshops
- J. Alcock – RD Parker Collegiate, Thompson, MB
- S. Downing – Algonquin Public School, Woodstock, ON
Patrick Hunter – Painting and Grandfather Teachings
- D. LeBlanc – Red Lake District High School, Red Lake, ON
- J. Sheppard – Colonel Gray Senior High School, Charlottetown, PEI
- J. Keefer – Cedar Elementary School, Campbell River, BC
- J. Townsend – Range Lake North School, Yellowknife, NWT
- C. Helin – Admiral Seymour Elementary, Vancouver, BC
Zoey Roy – Music – How to Rap Video Series
- A. Whittle – Jonas Samson Middle School, Meadow Lake, SK
- M. DeCoste – St. Matthew School, Calgary, AB
- J. Henderson – Timmins High, Timmins, ON
- J. Chabot – Ecole Dr Knox, Kelowna, BC
Mimi O’Bonsawin – Music Song Writing Workshops (FRENCH)
- M. Gabrielle Samson – École acadienne de pomquet, Antigonish, NS
- S. Sissons – Mamquam Elementary School, Squamish, BC
- A. Schutt – Whitney Public School, Whitney, ON
- A. Contrada – All Saints High School, Calgary, AB
- S. Page – Nelson Rural School, Miramichi, NB
Destiny Hoostie – Beading and Cree Language Workshops
- G. Cloutier – St. Michael’s High School, Low, QC
- A. Whalen – Catalina Pathfinder Unit, Catalina, NL
Frances Nicholas & Rebecca Salmonson – Seal Skin Bracelets Workshops
- J. Avery – Kullik Ilihakvik Elementary, Cambridge Bay, NU
- G. Bourque – Yarmouth Elementary, Yarmouth, NS
Artist Ambassador Visits Starting Again
Josh Finlayson (Skydiggers/Secret Path Band) visited Ladysmith Secondary School’s amazing Land and Language classroom and spoke to several classes about working with Gord on Secret Path and how we can all do something to make change.
We’re happy to announce that in-person Artist Ambassador visits have started again. There will be more next year, so stay tuned!
Sandra Sutter visited with James Short Memorial’s Kindergarten and Grade 1 students to talk about Secret Path and the great work they have been doing walking for Wenjack. Sandra also performed for their first whole school assembly!
Tell Us How We’re Doing!
Has the Legacy Schools program inspired change in your students and the youth you work with? We would love to hear more about it! At the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund (DWF), we encourage self-reflection, and we like to explore the impact of Legacy Schools each year. To help facilitate this, we have designed an engaging tool for you to allow your students (either individually or as an entire class) to reflect on the most significant change they have experienced.
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Please take a moment and let us know how we are doing by completing this quick Legacy Schools year-end survey! Your feedback could win you a gift card!
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Update Your Mailing Address to get your Legacy School Booster Kit this Fall
We’re getting ready to send you updated materials and new DWF swag this September! The Legacy Schools program turns 5 years old and we will have exciting new resources for your classroom. Please remember to let us know if you have changed schools or are leaving and someone else is taking over for you.
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Send us your ReconciliACTIONs
We love seeing and sharing what Legacy Schools are doing! Send us your reconciliACTIONs for a chance to be featured in our ReconciliACTION Guidebook, as well as next year’s Legacy School materials and other DWF communications!
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Share your ReconciliACTIONs on social media
We love seeing the change you’re making – and so does the DWF community! Share your photos and tag us on social media @downiewenjack and we’ll try our best to share with our networks.
