Celebration aims to instill strong cultural identity in youth
- Andréa Ledding | May 24, 2016
More than 400 elementary school students participated in Indigenous cultural and language activities as part of the fourth annual Indigenous Language Celebration.
“Honouring Our Youth” was the event held at E.D. Feehan High School. A collaboration between Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools(GSCS), and Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS) with support from SaskCulture, the event saw over 400 elementary school students ages 5 to 12 participating in cultural language-based activities.
“Our goal is to help our children grow up with a strong identity, speaking their language, and standing proud as Nehiyawak, Dakota, Michif, or Nakawe,” noted Master of Ceremonies Delvin Kanewiyakiho after the Grand Entry. Elder Melvina Eagle led the opening prayer, and students from Muskoday First Nation sang the national anthem in Cree (Nehiyawak), while the Muskeg Lake Singers sang the Flag and Victory Songs. Dignitaries and school trustees shared comments on the importance of incorporating Indigenous languages and culture into reinforcing a strong identity for students.
“There was a time not too long ago that our language and our culture was something that we were not allowed to do, but here we are, a couple of generations later,” said STC Director of Education Valerie Harper, noting that the partnership between STC, the two Saskatoon school systems, SaskCulture, and reserve schools has been an innovative and Indigenous-based approach. It has brought Elders into classrooms and school spaces where they have shared their historical Indigenous perspectives, provided counselling, and shared access to ceremonies and traditional practices.
“I know that many schools and classrooms start the day off with prayers and smudging, again something that wasn’t allowed a few years ago,” noted Harper. “We are very pleased with the response to the TRC Call to Action. Language and culture is a priority and it is going to be supported by the government. We look forward to that government support of our culture and our language.”
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After the dignitaries were presented with hand-made gifts from the students, the youth began their indoor and outdoor activity rotations: storytelling, lacrosse, buffalo games, dancing, beading, acting, drumming, basket weaving, hand games and moss bag teachings were some of the many opportunities for students to practice culture and language. Teachers, knowledge-keepers, and Elders all participated to present thirty different workshops, taught three times in half hour increments while rotating student groups through. Participants came from both urban school systems, Mistawasis, Muskeg Lake, Kinistin, Yellow Quill, Muskoday, Whitecap, and One Arrow.
“Careful you don’t tie those bags too tight on your babies,” called Elder Albert Scott, while Elder Frances Scott knelt on the grass with students carefully tying life-sized infant dolls into moss bags, as he noted, “They enjoy this hands-on learning, both the boys and the girls do it.”