Friday 19 May 2017

Water Walk 2017 & Picking Up Our Bundles


We were very fortunate to have a visit from Norma Peltier and Edward George today. Norma is a part of For the Earth and Water Walk 2017 and Edward is a part of Picking Up the Bundles Canoe Journey.

For the Earth and Water Walk is an initiative of respected Anishinaabe Elder, Josephine Mandamin.  Josephine has walked countless kilometers along shorelines and endured all kinds of weather praying for water.  Her current Water Walk began on Spirit Mountain, Deluth, Minnesota and will continue along the Great Lakes to Mantane, Quebec, on the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

Picking Up the Bundles Canoe Journey is a cermonial canoe journey that moves in support and solidarity with For the Earth and Water Walk 2017.  


Norma and Edward explained the significance of the Water Walk and Canoe Journey, shared the route, and explained some of the protocols.  It was explained that when they are walking for water they are in Ceremony until they reach their destination.  Women are responsible for making the offerings and wear long skirts to show respect for Mother Earth.  Men do not carry the water, but help by carrying the Eagle Feather Staff and providing protection on the busy road ways.  The water, filled in Deluth, is carried in the copper pot. 




Norma and Edward offered tobacco to the students.  The students held the tobacco in their hands while thinking good thoughts for healthy water.  Norma and Edward collected the tobacco and wrapped it in a red cloth to take with them to offer to the water.




Friday 12 May 2017

Indigenous Games with KTEI



Steven Pruchnicki and Dana Stevens of KenjegewinTeg Educational Institute instructed the students on the history of and how to play Indigenous Games.  The games included lacrosse, double ballk, pole push, stick pull, archery, and two-foot high kick.  The students had a lot of fun playing the games and are looking forward participating in the inaugural Manitoulin Indigenous Games.    




Wednesday 10 May 2017

Leading a Discussion About Collaborative Inquiry With Our Colleagues


Primary teachers explore collaborative inquiry in the classroom.  They discuss successes, problems, and questions.  Working in small groups is examined.  The primary teachers also discuss strategies of how to work in small groups without interruptions and the value getting kids back together after the small group work time.  It is agreed that having students take their learning public and teach others is important. 

Junior and Intermediate teachers focus on literature circle inquiries.  The discussion begins with teachers sharing their own experience with book clubs or literature circles.  They identify successes, problems, and questions.  Teachers observe a literature circle in action and share what they notice about the students' interaction, social skills they see the kids using, and how students draw extensively from notes and their books.  Teachers discover that it is important to have students identify and research lingering questions rather than traditional after-the-book projects.