Legacy Schools Toolkits are provided to educators to help create awareness, educate and create connection.
What reconciliACTIONS come out of each Legacy Schools is up to the school, club and group that is inspired to take steps to actively move reconciliation forward in meaningful ways.
Here are a few examples of what Legacy Schools have been doing. We hope you are inspired to be the change in your own community. Everyone has a responsibility to make change happen.
Ms. Mazzei, Grade 6/7 Teacher, in North Vancouver, BC and DWF Educator Advisor hosted our first Virtual Sharing Circle for elementary-level teachers and leaders. The presentation and sharing session delved into the journey classrooms have taken as part of the Legacy Schools program. Here are some of the ideas suggested for enhancing learning:
Create a wholistic, interdisciplinary teaching moments that:
It was recommended to find Indigenous guest speakers, books, videos, and other materials that have been created by Indigenous people to include in your lessons.
GC Huston in Southampton, ON created school shirts with input from Indigenous advisors to include the Seven Grandfather Teachings as part of the school’s culture.
They also paint a classroom door each year with students and provide a plaque beside the door describing what the Indigenous teachings are.
Aakdehewin means bravery in Anishinabe and is represented by the bear.
Ms. Hupfield, Anishinaabe, Martin Clan of Wasauksing First Nation hosted our first secondary sharing circle. Ms. Hupfield is a high school teacher in Parry Sound, Ontario, and a DWF Educator Advisor. Her presentation highlighted an inclusive space where students feel supported, valued and can see themselves reflected, which is important in all classrooms and learning spaces. Students painted the front of the school with feathers to honour the victims of residential schools.
Suggestions for teaching about reconciliation in your classroom that came from this virtual sharing circle:
Sharing Circle Virtual Events will be announced in our Legacy Schools Newsletter throughout the school year.
Peatr Thomas speaks about the murals he has created in Winnipeg before doing hands-on painting workshops with youth at Mikisew High School in Cross Lake, MB, Cree Pimicikamak Nation.
Students enjoyed creating their own original artworks inspired by Peatr Thomas, who is originally from Cross Lake, MB. Using stencils and canvas, students were able to create their own original spray paintings.
We love seeing and sharing what Legacy Schools are up to! Send us your reconciliACTIONs for a chance to be featured in our ReconciliACTION guidebook, in next year’s Legacy School materials and other DWF communications!
Inspired by Chanie’s story and Gord’s call to build a better Canada, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund aims to build cultural understanding and create a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to improve the lives of Indigenous people by building awareness, education, and connections between all peoples in Canada.
Phone: 1-844-944-4545
E-mail: staff@downiewenjack.ca
Address:
PO BOX 749
OHSWEKEN, ON
N0A1M0
