Each year, our school makes a commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. This year, part of that commitment is to "Create opportunities for students, staff, and families to build and nurture learning relationships with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers that foster a spirit of reciprocity." This means we want to create strong, respectful relationships where both sides give and receive, and everyone learns together. 

We are practicing this spirit of reciprocity through our Land Acknowledgment and our Indigenous Residency program. 

As part of the Land Acknowledgment, each classroom is working on a reconciliACTION. A reconciliACTION is a meaningful action or commitment students are taking towards reconciliation. For example, students are learning how to share personal stories through beadwork, or they are studying Indigenous photography and creating their own photography books inspired by the teachings of the land throughout the seasons. 

For our Indigenous Residency, we have invited Jessie Fiddler Kiss, an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, to work with our students again this year. Last year, Jessie taught us many important lessons, and this year, our focus is on reciprocity and renewal. Last year, Jessie gave us so much, and this year, we want to give back. We want to balance the relationship by offering just as much, if not more, in return. 

Jessie is coming to our school next week, not just to teach, but to celebrate and support the reconciliACTIONs that our students are doing. She will help highlight and elevate the work that students are already engaged in, to show how each action is part of a bigger picture. 

Our ultimate goal is to walk alongside Jessie in this journey of reconciliation. The lessons she has shared with us have influenced not only how we teach but also how we think about reconciliation. This year, we are not only learning from Jessie, but we are also focused on giving back. We want the work we do in reconciliation to be something we all do together. By embracing reciprocity (giving and receiving) and renewal (creating new ways of working together), we hope to make this learning a shared experience that benefits everyone. We would like to thank School Council for supporting this important work.