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:
Orange Shirt Day
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students gathered at 100 Mile Elementary to take part in Orange Shirt Day activities. They were welcomed to the territory and listened to the history and significance of the day. Booths set up around the field provided opportunities for students to learn and appreciate Indigenous culture.
Learning in the Park
Lac La Hache Elementary
During District Day, staff had the opportunity to learn about different activities and resources to embed Indigenous culture in the experience of learners in our school.
Welcome Drum
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students were welcomed this year with drumming, singing, and stories about the territory from Knowledge Keeper Mike Archie. Students learned why certain songs were picked to be sung for the occasion.
Hat Creek Ranch
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students travelled to Hat Creek Ranch, where they learned about the lifestyle of the Secwépemc people of the region. This included hunting and gathering food, preparing and storing food, and the use of pit houses and teepees for shelter.
Traditional Indigenous Games
Lac La Hache Elementary
In recognition of National Indigenous Peoples Day, our school welcomed Mike James, a Knowledge Keeper of ancient Indigenous games. Students learned how to play several traditional games and explored the purposes behind them—whether spiritual, connected to reinforcing a value system, or used to
Lahal Lessons
Lac La Hache Elementary
A member from WLFN visited our school to teach and play Lahal with the students. Students learned to drum, rattle, and sing The Porcupine song and The Children’s song while playing Lahal.
Kenthen Thomas Storytelling
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students listened to Indigenous Storyteller Kenthen Thomas share a couple Secwépemc stories. After each story, students had a chance to think of the lessons and learnings contained in the story.
Pitch Medicine
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students made pitch medicine. Students engaged by collecting the fir pitch from trees on school property. Knowledge keeper Dancing Water Sandy, led the students through the process of mixing the pitch with other ingredients that she brought and heating it.
Dream Catchers
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students learned about dream catchers and their purpose in Indigenous culture. Students had the opportunity to make their own dream catcher. Sense of belonging was promoted with the older students helping the younger students make their dream catchers.
Tea Making
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students learned about different Indigenous medicines and their purpose. Using the medicines, students made a tea for cough and colds and a tea for helping with sleep.
Thomas-Dueck Pow Wow
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lac La Hache Elementary was proud to attend the Thomas-Dueck Pow Wow. For some students, it was their first pow wow. While listening to the drumming and singing, students had the opportunity to see the different dances and the regalia for each dance.
Drum and Rattle Making
Lac La Hache Elementary
Knowledge keepers came to our school to help grade 6/7 students make a rattle or a drum. Students learned about where materials for rattle and drum making traditionally came from and the process to make a rattle and drum.
Lahal
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students learned about and participated in the game of Lahal. Students quickly picked up on the hand gestures and strategies to collect the sticks from their opponents. Students tried drumming on their laps to distract the guesser.
Bannock Making
Lac La Hache Elementary
Some students learned to make Bannock alongside Knowledge Keepers. The Bannock was shared with the school. Students learned about Bannock including how it was made in the past and its importance.
Regalia and Drumming
Lac La Hache Elementary
Mike Archie and Trish Meraw visited the school to share information about pow wows. Mike led the students in drumming and the school joined him in singing the honor song. The school learned about the different dances and the regalia worn at a pow wow.
Orange Shirt Day
Lac La Hache Elementary
Students learned about residential schools and the origins of Orange Shirt Day. Students folded orange paper into an orange shirt and wrote a commitment to reconciliation.
Lac La Hache Medicine Walk
Lac La Hache Elementary
Mike Archie lead the Lac La Hache staff in a local medicine walk. The teachings included how local plants were used for food, medicine, and teas. In this picture, staff learned how fir tree pitch was used as a salve and gum.
Indigenous Drum Playing
Lac La Hache Elementary
Under the guidance of the Canim lake Elders, Lac La Hache students enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to play their drums that they had constructed earlier this year.
Drum Making at Lac La Hache
Lac La Hache Elementary
Every student now has an indigenous drum to call their own thanks to the guidance given to us by the Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation elders.
Drum and Rattle Making
Lac La Hache Elementary
Canim Lake Knowledge Keepers along with volunteer community members helped Lac La Hache students to either construct native drums or rattles. We were really pleased with how they turned out and we are looking forward to painting them and playing them soon.
Orange Shirt Day Parade
Lac La Hache Elementary
The students of Lac La Hache Elementary School participated in an Orange Shirt Day parade to help bring awareness to the the community of the upcoming Truth and Reconciliation day.
Opening Day
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lac La Hache elementary school greatly appreciated the Canim Lake Knowledge Keepers getting our school year off to a great start through some indigenous cultural practices such as smudging and drumming.
Canim Lake Pow Wow
Lac La Hache Elementary
The Lac La Hache students and staff were very appreciative and honoured to participate and enjoy the Canim Lake Pow Wow focused on educating the different types of indigenous dance