Edmund Partridge Community School
Indigenous Learning and Teaching
Pow Wow Club
This year at Edmund Partridge we are offering pow wow club which takes place after school once a week. The students first become familiar with the different dance styles then choose one that they wish to learn. The students learn the purpose and meaning behind pow wows including the stories behind each dance style, they also get to learn about the drum. After understanding the background of pow wows the students begin creating their own regalia, as they will perform at the year-end school assembly and at the divisional pow wow. We are looking forward to these events and very excited to witness our students dance!
A Message From The Students:
"I learned the beat of the drum is the same as the heartbeat" - Aaliyah
"The reason I come to pow wow club is to learn about the Aboriginal culture so I can tell other people about it, in a kind way" - El Deeb
"I joined pow wow club because I wanted to be closer to my culture because my family doesn’t know a lot about our own culture. Also to bring a word to our problem with land and human rights including the racial “slangs” they call us” - Tayliee
"I joined pow wow club to learn men's traditional dance" - Draydren
"I come to pow wow club because it's fun and I get to learn more about my culture" - Emily
"Pow wow club allows me to know who I am and also not to be ashamed of being an Indigenous person. Another reason is because it's educating to me and to other people. I love my culture! I love dancing pow wow, I love hearing the stories behind our sacred teachings and it’s just fun! I actually feel like I know myself better than before” – Sunshine
 |  |
Room 203 – Ms. Fernie
This term in Social Studies we studied Louis Riel and the Metis Rebellion. There were four leaders we had to study and make a poster about. They were Gabriel Dumont, Big Bear, Wilfrid Laurier, and Crowfoot. We gathered in groups of 4-6 and were given some information, as well as we went on the computers to find more. The main goal was to try to find out about each person, what your person thought of the Rebellion, if they wanted to fight, if they wanted peace, and what happened to them in the end.
In our groups we had to look through the information gathered and pick what should go on the poster. We presented our posters in front of the class and were asked questions about our leader. There were 4 presentations all together, and in the end we had to write a reflection about whose thoughts/views on the Metis Rebellion we agreed with, if we thought it was smart to fight, if we thought it was better to try to get peace, etc. It was a very fun project and I think everyone learned a lot!
-Brooke
Fur Trade Artifact Activity
The activity we did this morning was to explore different artifacts from the Metis in the fur trade. We learned what they were used for and how to use them! We had all of the artifacts laid out on each table. On a piece of paper there were different categories. The categories were what the name of the artifact was, draw the main shape, guess what it was used for, and then find out the actual use of each artifact.
There were about 15 artifacts like a powder horn, beaver pelt, Bay blanket, and a gorget laid out on each table, and we had to guess what all of them were used for by the Voyageurs. My favourite artifact was the Snow Snake because none of us had any idea what you would do with the long snake-like stick. It was actually used for a game that is like curling that is played on ice.
After making all our guesses, we discussed what all the items were as a class, and how to use some of the artifacts. It was really fun learning about each of the artifacts and being able to touch them and make predictions. I learned a lot!
-Margaret
Room 206 – Ms. Badhan
We started off by exploring personal identity and what makes us, us! Such as our name, culture, language, appearance, religion, etc. We then took our knowledge of identity and looked at Residential Schools. We did a KWL to see what our prior knowledge was on Residential Schools. Some students knew very little while others had extensive knowledge. But they all had questions.
We dove into our novel study of "Fatty Legs" a true story written by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and Christy Jordan-Fenton. Together they describe Margaret's experiences as an eight year old girl in a residential school in Aklavik in Canada's North. She wants to go to school to learn to read despite the fears of her parents. However, at school she finds a harsh environment. Her identity changes in terms of her hair is cut off, she is given a new Christian name Margaret, she is forced to wear uncomfortable clothes, eat foods that make the students feel sick, do chores, kneel and ask for forgiveness, and learn English. She also encounters a nun named The Raven who immediately disapproves of Margret's strong will. Margaret's courage helps her to face the challenge of The Raven and the residential school. While reading the novel, as an activity, students put themselves in Margaret's shoes and wrote a letter home to her parents explaining the conditions, learning's, and feelings while being at school. This was a great lesson in empathy and putting ourselves in someone else's shoes.
After reading the novel we read the picture book "Not My Girl" which documents Margaret's return home and the feeling of non belonging. We also read excerpts from Stephen Harper's Statement of Apology.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prime-minister-stephen-harper-s-statement-of-apology-1.734250
We watched and listened to testimonials from Residential School survivors through "Stolen Children - Residential School Survivors Speak out" that was aired on The National. We also watched videos of survivors sharing their stories across Canada after the Truth and Reconciliation committee announced its findings. After the videos, we discussed the importance of survivors sharing their stories as part of the healing process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdR9HcmiXLA
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/residential-school-survivors-share-their-stories-1.2403561
We also watched a video based on the picture book entitled "Shi-shi etko." A book and video about a young girl named Shi-shi-etko who spends her last days at home treasuring the beauty of her world such as the dancing sunlight, the tall grass, the tadpoles in the creek, her grandfather's paddle song. Her mother, father and grandmother, each in turn, share valuable teachings that they want her to remember. Shi-shi-etko carefully gathers her memories for safekeeping. This moving and poetic account of a child who finds solace all around her, even though she is on the verge of great loss -- a loss that First Nation people have endured for generations because of the residential schools system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKErhCGjSDE
Exposing my students to the history of residential schools through the lessons, novel, and videos gave them a sense of understanding of how this impacted these children, their families, communities, and the inter-generational effects it has led to in Canada and in our community. My students were stunned by the treatment of students and what they had to endure. I was proud of the openness and understanding my students showcased on this difficult subject matter. We hope to teach and educate others.
Hallway Murals
Study of Aboriginal Art – Mark Anthony Jacobson, Norval Morrisseau and Ted Harrison - Woodlands Style
Created by students in Ms. Fernie’s Exploratory classes since 2006.
Room 102 - Circle Garden – Ms. Hall
Last spring our school began construction of a circle garden. The garden will create an outdoor educational learning space to explore the first people of Canada, the history of Manitoba, the indigenous plants, and Aboriginal perspectives on interrelationships and interconnectedness to nature. We hope our students will become more conscious of our relationship with everything around us so that we can have a sustainable future!
The location for the site is in an open space of asphalt near the bike compound. The first step was in measuring a 40 foot diameter circle and marking it to be dug up by the Seven Oaks maintenance department. Students were involved in geometry math activities and marked the 4 quadrants of the medicine wheel- North, South, East and West. We used this as an opportunity to teach about the medicine wheel and its significance to Aboriginal culture.
In Ms.Hall’s Gr.7/8 multi-age class students are learning about Manitoba history, focusing on the history behind our neighborhood in Seven Oaks. The purpose of integrating Aboriginal education is to develop the whole child. In teaching children to live more mindfully, the future of our world will be in a better state. We need to recognize the Aboriginal roots we are all connected to and create a sense of belonging for all in the classroom, school and community.
Students were very engaged in the beginning creation of the circle. In signing up for the green team many students have shown an interest in future building plans and planting the garden this spring. Our school staff is very excited to have an outdoor space to use for sharing circles, 7 Sacred Teachings and sustainable development activities.
Room 205 – Mr. Denchuk
Louis Riel’s early life
In 1856 Louis Riel went to college de Montreal. His goal was to become a priest but then after a while he lost interest. In 1881 he married Marguerite Monet. They had 2 beautiful children their names are Marie Angelique Riel and Jean Louis Riel. He is the son of Sr. Louis Riel and Julie Lagimodiere. His father was a grain miller and was a Metis leader. His mother was part Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. I learned that Louis Riel was a French Canadian politician and was a political leader of the Metis people of the Canadian prairies. I also learned that Louis Riel was the founder of the province of Manitoba. In 1884 he was called upon by Metis leaders in Saskatchewan to talk about their problems to the Canadian government. On March 21 in the Red River Rebellion Riel’s emissaries demanded that Crozier surrender Fort Carlton, but was refused. The situation was becoming critical and on March 23 Dewdney sent a telegraph to Macdonald indicating that military intervention might be necessary. He was found guilty in a trial so his punishment was to be hanged to his death. He died on November 16th 1885 at the age of 41 in Regina. After his death he was buried at St Boniface cathedral cemetery. On February 15th 2008 Canada announced the first Louis Riel Day and from now on it will be a traditional Holiday for the whole province of Manitoba. Otherwise I think Louis Riel is a true hero to Canada because all he wanted to do was help our country and province to be a better place.
By: Ryan
My Thoughts about Louis Riel
In Louis Riel’s early life a priest sent him along with other intelligent Metis boys to Canada east, which is now called Quebec, to study at college de Montreal. The priests had hoped that the religious Riel would also become a priest. After he heard the news that his father died, he lost interest in becoming a priest so he left College de Montréal. Riel remained in Montreal living at his aunt’s house. After Riel’s father died he lost a lot of money so he worked as a law clerk at Rudolphe Laflamme. During this time he had a girlfriend named Marie Julie Guernon. This progressed to the point of Riel wanting to marry her but his fiancée's family didn’t like her to be with a Métis, and the engagement was soon broken. After his disappointment, Riel found legal work unpleasant, and by early 1866 he left Montreal. [The Metis had chosen Riel to be their leader to guide them. I learned that Louis Riel is not a betrayer to Canada because he was only protecting his people, their land and their rights. But I think he should have let the Canadian government enter the land and establish Manitoba. I also think Louis Riel deserves to be the father of Manitoba. I think that the government shouldn’t have hanged Louis Riel because he was doing his job as a leader but I also think he shouldn’t have killed Thomas Scott. Overall I think Louis Riel is a true hero, a true leader and a good father of Manitoba. Louis Riel is buried on St. Boniface Cathedral cemetery.
By: GIO
Louis Riel A Canadian hero…
I’m sure mostly everyone knows of Louis Riel. We even have a day where we pay our debts to Louis Riel and all he did for us. He’s the father of Manitoba for crying out loud! This day was created in 2008 by Manitoba schools all over the country! This Holiday did not start long ago. It started only 8 years ago.
At first many people thought Louis Riel was a traitor. But as time when on people started to realize that he was only doing things to help our province and country be a better place where Metis can live free. He was doing what was best for our country. Also, he fought for his rights and for all Metis rights.
Louis Riel was a Canadian politician, and he was a political leader of the Metis people of the Canadian Prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian Government. Louis Riel fought for the rights of the Metis people of Canada. Louis Riel has received more scholarly attention than practically any other being in Canadian history.
His first resistance was the Red River Rebellion in 1869. It lasted a whole year till 1870. The Red River Rebellion was the sequence of events related to the 1869 establishment of the provincial government by the Metis leader Louis Riel and his followers in the Red River Colony, in what is now the province of Manitoba.
Louis Riel was a hero. Sadly the government found him guilty of treason, and sentenced him to death. His punishment was to be hung; he died proudly knowing he made a change in Metis rights. Louis Riel was a true Canadian Hero! He was an amazing man. On another base, he is a hero in another way too, HE GETS US A DAY OFF OF SCHOOL! Hope everyone liked my report on Louis Riel.
By: SophiaJ
My thoughts about
Louis Riel was a loving Metis father that had 2 children named Jean Louis and Marie Angélique and his wife was Marguerite Monet.
He was a hero who protected the Metis people’s land and rights against the Canadian government. Since he was Bilingual he was able to negotiate with the government and asked the surveyors to leave the Red River area.
Louis Riel had a reason for fighting John A. McDonald’s army and did not deserve to be hanged. Riel may have murdered a few people but that still doesn’t mean that you should hang him instead of putting him in jail. The only reason why Riel tried to block John A. was because he didn’t have special permission. John A. could have just waited until he was the Prime Minister of Canada.
Louis Riel is now famous for being the father of Manitoba and of course for defending the Metis.
By: Mark
Chili Day 2015
Chili Day is a celebration First Nations and Metis culture with a wide variety exciting activities. Elder Mary opened the day with a blessing; Donna Moose shared a welcome song while our Key Note Speaker was Niigaan Sinclair. Each student selected activities from the following workshops: Soap Stone Carving, Jigging, Storytelling, Button Medicine Wheel, Bannock Baking, Talking Stick, Hoop Dancing, Fiddling, Sledding and Cross Country Skiing, Famous Aboriginal Artists, Grandfather Stones, Drumming, Jewelry Beading, Traditional Games, Mobile Planetarium, Pictographs, and Singing. Students spent the day with a multi-grade group of students and return to their classroom for lunch. We enjoyed lunch together as a whole school where we had a small bowl of chili, bannock and a piece of fudge.
