We Walk the Path Together:
Indigenous Education Newsletter
June 2021
Student Indigenous Education Advisory Circle
We Walk the Path Together logo
The Student Indigenous Education Advisory Circle has met four times over the 2020-2021 school year. During this time, students have had the opportunity to meet Indigenous youth and community members including Demi Mathias, Beedahbin Peltier and John Rice.

The Indigenous Student Circle had their final meeting of the 2020-2021 school year on June 9, 2021 and we are looking forward to our next meeting on September 22, 2021. 

About the Student Indigenous Education Advisory Circle:
The Student Indigenous Education Advisory Circle is an opportunity for DCDSB Indigenous students to share their voice and culture with students across our board. The Circle meets in February, April, June, September and November where members of the Indigenous Education Advisory Circle invite you to discuss what you would like to see happen or initiative implemented in Indigenous Education within our board. You will meet other Indigenous youth in DCDSB and community members as well as have the opportunity to share your own knowledge and extend your learning. 

This Circle is open to self-identified Indigenous students in Grade 7-12. If your child is interested in joining, please email IndigenousEducation@dcdsb.ca
2020-2021 Grade 11 English: Understanding Contemporary Indigenous Voices
The Contemporary Indigenous Voices (NBE) course was launched by Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) in the 2020-2021 school year. This course provides an opportunity for 1500 Grade 11 DCDSB students to learn from Indigenous community partners and experience a variety of text forms.
 
The learning focus has been around land acknowledgements, treaties, honouring land, language preservation and revitalization and Indigenous worldview. Texts from Indigenous authors and creators such as Waubeshig Rice, Tanya Talaga, Christi Belcourt, Isaac Murdoch, Chelsea Vowel, David A. Robertson and Daniel Heath Justice form the foundation for authentic learning experiences.
 
Despite the ongoing global pandemic and restrictions in place, students have also been able to hear from a residential school survivor and visit the Woodland Cultural Centre virtually.  
 
Many of our community partners have been involved in learning experiences both with our staff and students through the Contemporary Indigenous Voices (NBE) course. Our community partners include:
 
DCDSB looks forward to offering further learning opportunities for staff, students and families as we continue to learn and grow through the Contemporary Indigenous Voices (NBE) course, along with our many other Indigenous Education initiatives.
Student Videos at All Saints Catholic Secondary School for National Indigenous History Month and Residential School Memorial
During June, we celebrate National Indigenous history month because it is important to recognize the contributions of Canada's Indigenous communities who have fought hard to allow Canada to become the country it is today. As a country, it is time for us to acknowledge the strength and resilience of our Indigenous peoples. Learning from the past will help us understand the present. It is important for us to be treaty people and to work towards creating a better future for all Canadians. This can be done through education and that is why we are creating these videos during the month of June with the hopes of always celebrating the strength, diversity, and heritage of our Indigenous communities.  
  • Sophia B. and Thalia S., Grade 11 students at All Saints Catholic Secondary School
National Indigenous History Month Video
Kamloops, BC: Residential School Memorial Video
Community Resources and Supports
In honour of the 215 children who were found at the site of the former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., all DCDSB schools lowered their flags to half-mast in recognition of the children whose lives were taken. Flags were kept at half-mast for 215 hours.

This reminds us of the horrific impact that the Canadian residential school system has, and continues to have on Indigenous students, families and communities. We continue to mourn the legacy of violence and genocide against Indigenous peoples in Canada.

We extend our support to assist those who are experiencing heightened emotions at this time. Students who may be struggling are encouraged to reach out to a caring adult to arrange for additional support through our social workers, child and youth workers and school chaplains, in addition to community resources which can be accessed online or by phone: 

The DCDSB website has several resources to support mental health for students and families.

DCDSB students and families can call our Social Work Access Line and leave a voicemail with their contact information. One of our mental health professionals will call back and provide support. Please note: this is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7. To reach the DCDSB Social Work Access Line please call 905-576-6150 ext. 21021. Alternatively, you can click on the blue button near the top of this web page.

Hope for Wellness Help Line for Students and Families:
The Hope for Wellness Help Line offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to offer counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

Jack.org has many useful online resources for students. If you click on this link and scroll to the bottom of the page, there are additional resources that are specifically geared towards Indigenous Youth.

National Indian Residential School Crisis Line:
A national Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up to provide support for former students and all of those affected by this tragic news. Access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line at 1-866-925-4419.
Giving Back to Water Project at Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic School
The Grade 6 class at Monsignor Philip Coffey Catholic School were involved in a detailed project that developed a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and the importance of water. The project, titled “Giving Back to Water” and the guiding question, “What are we going to do about it?”, were the focus across the curriculum and linked to lessons in Religion, Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts, Mathematics and Language. Students met with an Indigenous community member over several visits, studied Lake Ontario and Lake Scugog, learned some Ojibwe language, wrote letters and sent cards to the Neskantaga First Nation, learned about the Medicine Wheel and applied the teachings to their own health and well-being, and calculated their personal daily water use. Each student will receive a T-shirt that displays a logo about the importance of protecting water. The two logos on the T-shirts were designed by students in the class as a culminating activity to demonstrate their learning.
Examples from Giving Back to Water project
Upcoming Events
June 21, 2021 is Indigenous Peoples Day
Poster for OPG presents Indigenous Peoples Day
The Durham Catholic Indigenous Education department has been sharing and promoting resources, articles, supports and community events each day during the month of June in celebration of Nation Indigenous History Month. Please feel free to follow us on Twitter @DCDSBIndigenousEd.

On June 21, 2021 we invite students, staff and families to join us for Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Presents National Indigenous Peoples Day, in partnership with OPG and Carea Community Health Centre. More information can be found on the Indigenous Initiatives Facebook page.
Durham Indigenous Voices Series
Durham College, Ontario Tech University, DCSI, OTSU, Durham Libraries and the Region of Durham, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Whitby, are launching a collaborative four-part panel discussion series with Indigenous peoples and First Nations from the Durham Region. Reconciliation, Resilience, Resistance, and Resurgence will focus on actions that support and amplify Indigenous Voices in our community as we move forward with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls-to-Action.
 
For further details and to register for each session, please see the links below:
 
Ontario Tech University Turtle Island Summer Camp
Ontario Tech University is offering Turtle Island Summer Camp in a virtual format this summer. 

  • Dates: Monday, August 16 to Friday, August 20, 2021
  • Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm each day
  • Age group: ages 9 - 13
  • Location – Virtual/Online

This camp is designed to uncover and explore the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land. Campers will participate in a week long journey exploring the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples to better understand their responsibility as stewards of the environment. Connections between STEAM and Indigenous knowledge will be explored through hands-on activities. 

This program is offered to Indigenous children and youth free-of-charge. If your child self-identifies as First Nations, Métis or Inuit ancestry please contact Sheila Rhodes at Ontario Tech University to register.

To learn more about Indigenous Education at the Durham Catholic District School Board visit dcdsb.ca/IndigenousEducation.
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