We will achieve equity of outcomes for Indigenous learners in Cariboo-Chilcotin School District. We will continue to examine our environments, structures, and practices to identify and address barriers. We are committed to continuing to strengthen relationships with First Nation communities as rightsholders and collaborate with community partners who support Indigenous children and youth and their families. We will embed learning about Indigenous culture, perspectives, and language in the daily experience of learners in our schools. Some examples of the work of our plan are:
- District-wide staff learning about Truth and Reconciliation, local Indigenous culture, Circle of Courage and trauma-informed practice
- Planned school-wide culture learning aligned with calendar of local cultural seasonal activities
- Visible language and culture across schools (Knowledge keepers in schools, ceremony, welcome signage, elders posters)
- Review of school libraries and resource collections and additional funding for Authentic First Peoples Resources
- Recognizing cultural learning in community with graduation program credits (local Independent Directed Study framework)
- Meaningful engagement of schools and district in Local Education Agreements (LEA)
- Re-engagement with Equity in Action
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER for equity for Indigenous students and learning about local Indigenous culture for all students and staff:
Indigenous Nature Walk
150 Mile Elementary
Local Knowledge Keeper William Lulua took one of our Grade 3/4 classes on a nature walk, explaining the interconnectedness of nature through the view of Indigenous knowledge.
Orange Shirt Day
150 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary had many opportunities for students to learn about the importance and history of Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation. A full school assembly with classroom lessons highlighted by two classes making the journey to the Williams Lake First Nation Arbor to participate in
Drumming in the School Year
150 Mile Elementary
Cecil Sheena visited 150 Mile today to help us start off our school year with traditional drumming and signing. Cecil did four fabulous songs and song stories that very very uplifting and put smiles on many faces. The 'Mighty Mouse' song being probably the crowd favorite. Thank you Cecil!
Traditional Drum Making
150 Mile Elementary
Resident Elder, Dave DeRose, worked with staff on how to build a traditional drum. Dave shared his 30+ years of experience with staff using cedar strips a and genuine buffalo hide to build a drum with the staff.
Indigenous Week Learning
150 Mile Elementary
Students and staff are taking the week to honor Indigenous Week by learning about and celebrating different aspects of Indigenous language and culture. Each class is taking time to build presentations to share with the other classes in the school, our hope is to build knowledge and celebrate.
Rattle Making
150 Mile Elementary
Today, 150 Mile Elementary, had a special guest - James Cook. James was in today to lend his skill and knowledge in helping our students make their traditional rattles. The extra set of strong hands working the leather, thread and needles was much appreciated by the students.
Shuswap Mothers Day
150 Mile Elementary
Mrs. Irene Charley and Ms. Sonya Charley worked on Mother's day cards in Secwepemcstin with many the classes. When they do projects, it definitely works on the children's patience, glad they all managed to finish their Mother's day cards. They all turned out nicely.
Drum Painting
150 Mile Elementary
With the help and guidance of school Elder Dave DeRose and the generous donation of supplies from of Indigenous Education Council our Grade 6's have built and painted their personal drums! Mrs.
Bannock and Stew
150 Mile Elementary
Irene Charley and Sonya Charley worked with the students of 150 Mile Elementary to show them the skills and knowledge needed to make traditional Bannock and stew. Students learned how to cut and peel root vegetables safely and how to make Bannock.
Tea Blending
150 Mile Elementary
Freda Alphonse came to our school today to show our Grade 3 students traditional tea blending practices. Freda took the time to explain the various ingredients and their medicinal properties as well as how, where and when to harvest them.
Grade 6 Drum Making
150 Mile Elementary
School Elder David DeRose was in this week working with our Grade 6 students making their going away drum. Dave's expertise and assistance in this yearly project is much appreciated and looked forward to by the students.
Drum Maintenance Part 2
150 Mile Elementary
School Elder, Mr. Dave DeRose was back in the school completing our drum maintenance lessons with the students. This visit allowed for us to complete the oiling of all our drums, including our newly acquired Pow Wow drum!
Drum Care
150 Mile Elementary
School Elder, Dave DeRose was back in the school working with the students. Mr. DeRose showed the students how to oil the school hand drums while sharing stories of community and trust.
School Elder
150 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary School Elder, Dave DeRose and special guest David Archie worked with 2 classes on the school Pow Wow drum. Mr. DeRose taught the students of the history and symbolism of the drum, while Mr.
Orange Shirt Day
150 Mile Elementary
At 150 Mile Elementary we held our annual assembly to acknowledge, remember and learn about the significance of Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Welcome Drumming and Songs
150 Mile Elementary
Val West and Cecil Sheena from the WLFN Cultural Team shared their time with us to help bring in the new school year with traditional drumming and two songs! Val offered a smudge to all students who wanted to participate.
Medicine Walk
150 Mile Elementary
Today, on our Implementation Day, we were honored to have David Archie join us for lunch and the afternoon to share his knowledge and Indigenous learnings with the staff.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
150 Mile Elementary
Over the past week, our students and teachers have taken the time to learn about Indigenous people, their language and culture. Types of learning included the history of talking sticks, bannock making, famous persons, traditional territories and history.
Pow Wow Drum
150 Mile Elementary
School Elder Dave DeRose was in today showing the students the process for building a Pow Wow drum. Dave shared many Indigenous stories and legends related to the making of Pow Wow drums.
Traditional Dance
150 Mile Elementary
Students in Mrs. Coulombe's K/1 class, with the help of our two language and culture teachers, Mrs. Irene Charley and Mrs. Sonya Charley, learned a traditional dance.
Kukpi7 Sellars Visit
150 Mile Elementary
Kukpi7 Sellars visited our school to do a book reading of, "Hockey with Dad," and "Dipnetting with Dad." Kukpi7 Sellars entralled the students with his great story telling skills and shared many indigenous learnings with the students.
Elder in School
150 Mile Elementary
150 Mile had Mr. Dave Derose in today working with several students making drums. Dave has recently adopted the role of 150 Mile Elementary School Elder, we welcome Dave to our school and look forward to him sharing his life learnings in Indigenous language and culture with our students.
Learning a Traditional Song
150 Mile Elementary
Williams Lake First Nation culture team visited yesterday to share some of their time with us. Dannika, William and Valerie shared an honor song, written by Mitchell Dyck, with students and then taught us the basics of the drumming and the singing of the song.
WLFN Office Visit
150 Mile Elementary
The Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) hosted Mrs. Coulombe's class at their beautiful Band Office. The tour was designed to help the students learn about the various departments that work in the office.
Drum Making
150 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary has started the Grade 6's making their 'going away' drums. With the help of Irene Charley, Sonya Charley and Gerald Charley students learned the traditional methods for making drums. Once the drums dry, students will be taking great care to paint their drums.
Indigenous Literacy
150 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary has just received our first of 3 large book orders that are focused on highlighting Indigenous authors and also many Indigenous topics. These books will vastly improve our selections of great literature from Indigenous authors in our library.
Learning Lahal
150 Mile Elementary
Building on the popularity of Lahal last year, Mrs. Charley begins the slow but rewarding process of teaching a whole new group of students the intricacies of the traditional First Nations game of Lahal. Always amazed at how fast the students learn the game and participate fully!
Story Telling
150 Mile Elementary
150 Mile was privileged and honored to host Secwepemc storyteller and performer Kenthen Thomas to our school for the afternoon. Kenthen shared two incredible stories with our students: one about how Bear and Coyote brought forth day and night, and the other about how Coyote lost his name.
Farwell Canyon and Flats
150 Mile Elementary
Grade 5 students at 150 Mile went on a planned trip to Farwall Canyon and Flats learn about geography, indigenous history as well as traditional plants used in harvesting and the methods used to harvest and store.
Orange Shirt Day
150 Mile Elementary
100 students from Nesika Elementary School had the immense privilege to visit the WLFN Pow wow arbor for a gathering of well over 500 students and colleagues from SD27. They took two buses and were there for half the day.
Start of Year Smudge
150 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary was excited to have Val West attend our school to provide a start of school year smudge. Val took the time to explain what the significance of a smudge was and what all the parts of the tools represented.