Sharing ideas, building relationships

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This article was published 26/02/2019 (2594 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There may be more than 450 kilometres between the Louis Riel School Division board office and St. Theresa Point First Nation, but members of both educational communities stood shoulder to shoulder recently.

A three-day educational conference, called Anisinineew Weentamaakewin, was held at the division’s board office on St. Mary’s Road from Feb. 19 to 21.

The goals of the unique event included building relationships and sharing ideas, and there were numerous collaborative presentations, sessions, workshops, and activities throughout the three days.

Some events focused on subjects such as drumming, supporting two-spiritedness, treaty education, land-based education, traditional medicine, and storytelling. Keynote speakers were Chief David P. McDougall and Dr. Niigaan Sinclair.

LRSD’s co-ordinator of Indigenous education, Corey Kapilik, said sharing was a key element of the conference.

“It’s about building relationships between a First Nations community school and a public school division, and sharing of the some of the work around Indigenous education, literacy, numeracy, and student well-being,” Kapilik said. “It’s a very reciprocal relationship.”

Kapilik said the idea took root last year when three students from J. H. Bruns Collegiate — Nika Martinussen, Kelsey McLeod, Lianne Adair — prompted the fostering of a connection between the two communities. Through educator Strini Reddy, the students reached out to St. Theresa Point community, and the relationship between the communities has continued to grow and evolve.

“The three young ladies attended a workshop about breaking barriers that aimed to connect urban and inner-city youth, and one thing led to another, and they reached out through Strini Reddy, and the rest is history,” he said, noting he hopes the conference will not be a one-off thing.

“I do feel very privileged that the community of St. Theresa Point is willing to partner with us, and I also appreciate that we have something to give to this relationship, too. Part of the richness of this is that there is so much diversity in Indigenous culture, and yet a lot of Canadians don’t have relationships with First Nations people.

“Part of the benefit of events like this is that people from different backgrounds and cultures are able to meet and share ideas. It’s two communities coming together, and it’s a beautiful thing. It’s important to reiterate this is the beginning of a very exciting relationship, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the road takes us.”

Christian Michalik, Louis Riel School Division’s superintendent, said the partnership is a significant one.

“Here we are, making a very important and authentic connection to a First Nations community in northern Manitoba,” Michalik said.

“There are teachers and educational assistants learning from each other — we have gifts to share, and they have gifts to share. It’s wonderful to see two communities learning from each other in a mutually respectful way, and a great relationship is starting to take place.”

“What I’m hearing from my colleagues is that this collaboration is really helping them see in ways you can’t see unless you’re in such a relationship,” he added.

Noting that Martinussen, McLeod, Adair, and Reddy have been an inspiration in the collaborative process, Michalik said he hopes this will be the first of many such opportunities.

Visit www.lrsd.net for more information.