PWPSD ready to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21

Students and staff at Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) are gearing up to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on Tuesday. National Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated annually on June 21, is a day for Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contribution of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

This year, students throughout PWPSD will participate in a number of activities including Indigenous games and art projects, and have the chance to enjoy some delicious food.

 

School

Activities Planned

Beaverlodge Elementary School

Students will participate in Indigenous games during their gym classes and will be served stew and bannock for lunch.

Bezanson School

Students will play Indigenous games, and then enjoy a lunch of stew and bannock.

Bonanza School

Bonanza began their Indigenous celebrations with a Culture Camp on June 14. On Tuesday, students will perform a Land Acknowledgement and complete individual class activities throughout the day.

Clairmont Community School

The day will begin with an assembly and then each grade will complete their own activity throughout blocks 3-4 and 5-6. During block 7 students will enjoy ‘books and bannock’, and block 8 will see the whole school come together for a round dance.

Harry Balfour School

Students will experience a full day of Indigenous fun with the theme: 7 Sacred Teachings. Students will begin the day with an opening assembly and participate in Indigenous games, dancing and a plant walk outside. The day will wrap up with ‘books and bannock’ and a special jerky treat for each student and staff member to enjoy.

Helen E. Taylor School

HET will celebrate with a morning packed full of Indigenous activities, beginning with an assembly and a presentation from Monique, a Cultural Educator. Students will also enjoy a dance and drum presentation featuring some of their classmates. Cree Bingo, crafts and games will wrap up the morning before a special bannock and bison taco lunch is served.

La Glace School

Students will participate in the school’s very first Indigenous-themed Play Day, which will incorporate traditional games alongside modern games. To finish off the day, bannock will be roasted over the fire.

Peace Wapiti Enterprise Centre

Students will have a chance to enjoy Indigenous culture when they visit the Grande Prairie Art Gallery to take in George Littlechild’s exhibit titled Here I am – can you see me?

Robert W. Zahara School

Students at RWZ will enjoy a Culture Camp on Monday, June 20.

Rycroft School

Students will complete Dot Art projects.

Whispering Ridge Community School

WRCS has planned a fun day of learning about traditional plants and medicines. Each student will have the opportunity to plant and bring home their very own sage plant. The celebration will continue as students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 will learn traditional Indigenous dance steps!

Throughout the month of June, PWPSD’s Indigenous Education Services team has been hosting Culture Camps for schools throughout the Division. The Culture Camps teach students about drumming, plants as medicine, and traditional active games.

 

-30-

Published