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November 2023 - ihkopîwipîsim ᐃᐦᑯᐲᐏᐲᓯᒼ |
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Upcoming Events and Important Dates |
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Welcome to Frost Moon, in the Cree 13 moon calendar - ihkopîwipîsim ᐃᐦᑯᐲᐏᐲᓯᒼ
Changes in EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Team EIPS schools are welcoming Matthew Spencer, the newest member of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team. Matthew is a proud Nakoda from Carry the Kettle, Treaty 4 territory. He brings much experience and expertise to the Division. We’re excited for Matthew to meet everyone and become an important part of our EIPS family.
Events Around Town These events are not EIPS directed. We are sharing events that are happening around us this Christmas season in the greater Edmonton area.
December 2 – Skydancer's All Indigenous Christmas Market in Stony Plain December 2 – Make a Turtle Pin in Sherwood Park, at the museum December 9 – Artisan Holiday Market in Sherwood Park December 16 – miyitowin ᒥᔨᑐᐃᐧᐣ Exchange of gifts in Edmonton December 26 – Indigineous Campfire Conversations with host Beaver Hills Biosphere Upcoming Days of Significance There are many important dates of significance in the coming weeks, and EIPS is planning many engaging learning experiences for staff and students across the Division. Please mark your calendars now, so you don’t miss out on these very special events.
Family Gathering | January 10 The EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team is thrilled to invite you all to our Indigenous Education family gathering on Wednesday, January 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be a Métis Kitchen Party! Glen Allan Elementary, located at 106 Georgian Way in Sherwood Park, has generously offered their gym space for our gathering. Please join us for a meal to begin the evening and then spend time together listening to Métis fiddle champions Alex Kusturok and Brianna Lizotte as well as learning some basic Métis dance steps. It will be a wonderful family dance party to lighten up the long winter evenings! To help with our planning and guarantee there'll be enough food for everyone in attendance, a RSVP form will be sent to families in the near future.
Ribbon Workshop | January 30 and 31 The Ribbon Workshop is for secondary students—make your own Ribbon Skirt or Shirt. We’ll continue with our yearly tradition of sharing teachings from Elders and sewing ribbon skirts with interested students. This year, we are adding men’s teachings and sewing ribbon shirts. More information will be released as we get closer to the date.
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Direct Student Support |
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Study Help for Métis students. Rupertsland Institute has secured access to Alberta ExamBank for K-12 Métis students to test their understanding through online practice. Métis students can sign up for the RECC Room to find the login for their MNA Region. Questions? Contact education@rupertsland.org.
Is your child in Grade 12 and looking to move on to post-secondary education? There are a variety of scholarships, bursaries and grants available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to attend trade school, college or university. Talk to your child’s lead teacher for more information or support in filling out applications.
Interested in learning more about how your school is engaging in truth-telling and the reconciliation process? Connect with Jennifer Rice, the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Lead Teacher at the school.
Interested in learning more about EIPS divisionwide work in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education? Reach out to Jennifer Rice, connect with the Division team at victoria.vilaivan@eips.ca and read the Division’s blog.
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Resources of Interest |
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Curious about Indigenous-focused events and programs planned for our area? - Visit Strathcona County’s Indigenous Connections page for information and upcoming events. - The City of Fort Saskatchewan has a Truth and Reconciliation initiatives page and an active Indigenous Society of Fort Saskatchewan. - Visit the Indigenous events page through eventbrite. - The Edmonton Indigenous Relations Community Bulletin shares events and initiatives in the Edmonton area.
Interested in learning more about the Cree 13 Moon calendar? Cree Literacy Network has a printable 2024 calendar around the Cree th- and y-dialects. The website is also full of excellent information and resources on Cree language and culture.
When the Trees Crackle with the Cold by Bernice Johnson-Laxdal and Miriam Korner is an excellent book and activity pack that can be used by families to learn more about the 13 Moons.
The names of the 13 Moons can vary, depending on one’s teachings, dialect, place and culture. For example, Métis scholar Elmer Ghostkeeper outlines the 13 Moons from his teachings. You can read more in his book, Spirit Gifting: The Concept of Spiritual Exchange. |
Traditional Skills School
Dance Schools
Metis on the Move
Storytelling Workshop
Outdoor Classroom
Our Outdoor Classroom is located at the back of Lakeland Ridge School. It is a place for students, staff and community members to gather to enjoy land-based learning. Special thank you to our Councillor Dave Anderson and Strathcona County.
Please check it out!
Treaty 6 Mural
We have installed a new mural in the front entryway of the school. The purpose of the mural is to acknowledge and increase awareness of Treaty 6 territory in our school.
Past News
November 2021
Indigenous Veterans Day | Monday, November 8
See the Resources of Interest below for a list of possible resources.
Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Engagement Sessions - Sherwood Park/Fort Saskatchewan | November 9, 5-9 p.m.
Make your voice heard at the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Constitution gathering for Métis citizens in the Fort Saskatchewan and Sherwood Park area on November 9. No previous knowledge or expertise needed! All area MNA citizens aged 16 and older are welcome and encouraged to join in, listen, learn and give feedback. “Our ancestors fought and died for the freedom to live as Otipemisiwak, to own ourselves. Now’s our time to realize their dream and choose the right path for our people.” Register
Rock Your Mocs | November 14-20
Rock Your Mocs Day is November 15. Wear your moccasins with pride on this day and every day!
Métis Week | November 14-21
Métis Nation of Alberta and Rupertsland Institute have been creating resources for Métis Week 2021. Resources for schools and families are available through Rupertsland Institute’s RECC Room. Create a free account and gain access to the webinar and a vast collection of Métis resources you can access with your family at home—including archived recordings of Métis artist Leah Dorion sharing stories and art projects and the new art series with Angie Hall.
Direct Student Support
Is your child in Grade 12 and looking to move on to post-secondary education? There are a variety of scholarships, bursaries and grants available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to attend trade school, college or university. Talk to your child’s lead teacher for more information or support in filling out applications.
MNA Resources From skills courses to wellness kits, discover all the MNA Youth Services has to offer free to all Métis ages 12-29. The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has a variety of other family support services, including health, housing and entrepreneurship.
Study Help for Métis students Rupertsland Institute has secured access to Alberta ExamBank for K-12 Métis students to test their understanding through online practice. Métis students can sign up for the RECC Room to find the login for their MNA Region. Questions? Contact education@rupertsland.org.
Jordan’s Principle Learn more about Jordan’s Principle and the funding supports available for First Nations children—visit the Assembly of First Nations and Government of Canada resources.
Questions? Have questions about your child’s learning? Please reach out to the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education lead teacher at your child’s school. We’re here to engage with you and offer supports to students. Harlee McArthur, EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Family School Liaison Worker, is also available for conversation and to offer supports to children and families.
Resources of Interest
Indigenous Veterans Day
Here are some possible resources to learn more about First Nations, Métis and Inuit veterans.
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Watch the short documentary film, Cree Code Talkers and learn more about this local Edmonton film team
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Watch the video from the Métis National Council: Aboriginal Heroes: A Spiritual Journey
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Watch the video No Longer Forgotten: Commemorating Métis Veterans
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Watch the NFB’s documentary Forgotten Warriors that shares the stories of Indigenous veterans
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Witness the names of many Indigenous veterans collected in this database
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Watch the Heritage Minute on Tommy Prince
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Read the stories of some Indigenous war heroes from Muskrat Magazine
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Learn about The Ballendine Brothers
Global TV Story
In September, Global National was at Glen Allan Elementary filming for a story for their current affairs TV show, “The New Reality.” Various people were involved in the filming including Glen Allan students and teachers along with Elder Wilson Bearhead and Superintendent Mark Liguori. Thank you to Glen Allan for hosting and making everyone feel welcome. The segment aired on Global’s “The New Reality” program on October 30. If you missed it, you can watch the video or read the online piece.
The U of A Faculty of Native Studies is offering online courses that can be taken by university students or community members. Two winter semester courses that may be of interest are “Indigenous Peoples & Technoscience” and “Countering Stereotypes of Indigenous Peoples.”
Interested in learning about Indigenous sports role models with your family in a COVID-safe, online format? An invitation to you from our friends at Roots of Resilience.
We’re so excited to be back at it for a second year of speakers series kicking off with the fall series “Indspired Through Sports,” providing an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous resilience and success. You may wish to register for the remaining online sessions.
This speakers series will feature six incredible Indigenous athletes with different sports and backgrounds. From Bullriding to Dance we’ll hear of their motivations, their setbacks and what pushes them to continue to strive for greatness. This series is going to be a great opportunity for students to get a look into what these professional athletes have gone through to get to where they are today and give a new outlook at the many possibilities sports can open up to youth! The series will also help teachers and adults see first-hand the importance of sports as an avenue to responsibility and success.
Upcoming speakers and dates:
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November 4: Mathew Rathbone (Hockey)
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November 12: Sonya Dodginghorse (Barrel Racing)
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November 18: Angie Lightning (the importance of sports for youth)
Tickets are available online (one price for the whole family).