While Aboriginal studies have been a part of Jasper Elementary School鈥檚 curriculum for years, the school decided to go the extra mile this year in celebration of National Aboriginal Day, June 21.
Throughout the week, Carmen Houle, a First Nations M茅tis consultant, was on hand teaching the students about all sorts of things from Aboriginal songs and dances to crafting teepees and medicine wheels.
鈥淭he teachings are important, but it鈥檚 making the connection that is the real goal. I use the medicine wheel and the teepee along with crafts and other things to get the kids engaged, but the underlying meaning of what I鈥檓 trying to do is make those cultural connections and bring awareness,鈥� Houle said. 鈥淚 want people to gain an appreciation for my culture.鈥�
While Houle was giving presentations specifically for National Aboriginal Day, she said she does plenty of work throughout the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division, as a part of the 94 recommendations made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The report, which was published in 2015, called on the federal government to draft new Aboriginal education legislation with the full participation and informed consent of Aboriginal peoples, which included developing culturally appropriate curricula along with protecting and teaching Aboriginal languages.
鈥淚 want to see these teachings directly related to the curriculum and then start adapting that curriculum to the age category,鈥� Houle said.
JES Grade 4 teacher John Auger said his social studies course currently focuses on Alberta鈥檚 history, which includes the province鈥檚 First Nations people.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a part of our heritage so it鈥檚 important to learn,鈥� Auger said. 鈥淭his week we are doing more because of National Aboriginal Day, but we do have continuous studies throughout the year.鈥�
During Houle鈥檚 classroom presentations, she said students are usually receptive and eager to learn.
鈥淭he kids are always so honest. A lot of the time I鈥檒l hear them say Indian or not very politically correct terms,鈥� Houle said. 鈥淪o I鈥檒l focus on those kind of things and the right terms and our history and where those stereotypes come from and why we have them.
鈥淭hese teachings are really the frontline work in introducing these subjects into the curriculum.鈥�
At Jasper鈥檚 National Aboriginal Day celebration, June 18, West Yellowhead MLA Eric Rosendahl said the Alberta government was committed to ensuring students learn the history of Canada鈥檚 Indigenous people and the legacy of the country鈥檚 residential schools.
鈥淲e know that learning about the past is only one aspect of a renewed relationship, but it is an important one鈥� Rosendahl said at the ceremony.
He reaffirmed the government is also committed to working with Indigenous leaders to implement the principles and objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
