Turtle Talk
By: Candida Shepherd
Tawāw! We stand here in Sherwood Park, AB on Treaty 6 Territory. I am grateful for this opportunity acknowledging that we are on traditional and ancestral territories of the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries. Home to the Métis Settlements and the Métis Nation of Alberta
We are all Treaty People
April/ May 2023
Miyoskamin - Springtime. 🌱 🤱🏻
“Things are starting to spill, the little creeks, the rivers, the muskegs are starting to move”. – Greg Spence
Miyoskamin literally means… it is good ground. March 21st, we moved into the yellow part of the Medicine Wheel.
We start the wheel with yellow the same way we start the seasons with spring when life is renewed; it is a time of planting and birth.
Our First, Very Own Round Dance!
From 7 to 9 pm at F.R. Haythorne Jr High School, we danced. It was a great evening of storytelling, laughter and learning together. We had soup and bannock and lots of give-aways.
It was good to see Elder Wilson.
I look forward to this becoming an annual event! See you out there next year.
Family Engagement Night Continues...
Family Gatherings | April and June
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team will be hosting family gatherings again, but we’ll be in person this year. Gatherings are a time in the evening when we can meet together to share, learn and connect. All family members are welcome and dinner will be provided at all gatherings. More details and registration will be shared with families closer to each event, but for planning purposes, the dates are as follows:
Thursday, April 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Art with Métis knowledge holder Connie Kuhlhavy (hosted at Glen Allan Elementary School, Sherwood Park)
Food make by the Salisbury Culinary Program.
Please response by April 11th - Click HERE
- Land-based Learning (hosted at EIPS Central Services land-based learning space, Sherwood Park)
We are Going to Indspire!!! Edmonton Convention Centre
Bev Facey, Sal Comp and Ardrossan High have joined forces.
All Students who identify with First Nations, Inuit and Metis come join us on May 10th 2023.
This year’s theme is SOARING…What are they about?...
Indigenous Education is Canada’s Future
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada.
Vision, Mission, North Star and Core Values
Vision: Enriching Canada through Indigenous education and by inspiring achievement.
Mission: In partnership with Indigenous, private and public sector stakeholders, Indspire educates, connects and invests in Indigenous people so they will achieve their highest potential.
North Star: Within a generation, every Indigenous student will graduate.
There will be tons of opportunities and resources to consider for your future.
Tons of scholarships to apply for!
Come see Mrs. Shepherd or check out the following website for more information.
We have 25 participant tickets... Come see Shepherd if you are sure you want to join us!
Did you know... Mary Stinchcombe (GRAD '20) preformed at the 2020 Indspire awards... check her out.
Call to Action # 47 of the Truth and Reconciliation
On Thursday March 30th, The Vatican responded to Indigenous demands and formally repudiated the "Doctrine of Discovery".
We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts.
"The Doctrine of Discovery is an act of theft with no basis in law. It is fiction constructed out of the imaginations of Church and State". - Sylvia McAdam
- For Sylvia's full article Click HERE
All Teachers.... this PD is for you!!
Offering another four-part seasonal land-based learning workshop series foreachers of science and mathematics in partnership with the Miquelon Lake Research Station!
- When: Seasonally: May 26 (Spring), Sept 22 (Summer), Oct 20 (Fall), Jan 25 and 26 (Winter)
- Where: Miquelon Lake Research Station (about 50 minutes southeast of Edmonton - car pools can be arranged)
- Cost: $800* payable in full upon acceptance and registration
- (Meals included - lunches and snacks for all days, and dinner and breakfast for the last session as well! Accommodation at Miquelon Lake also included for January 25 evening)
Planned Activities:
Hide tanning, meat drying, making bannock, animal tracking, calling, and snaring, canoeing, snowshoeing, trail hiking
Introduction to Cree
Evening session with the new Hesje Observatory Telescope and star stories
Each session will be a full-day of outdoor experience with an overnight stay included at no extra charge in January (the evening will possibly include campfire, telescope viewing, star stories, and jigging!). Participants are asked to commit to attending all four workshops when registering.
Apply here: LINK
Thinking about your future... feeding an Interest...
Study Help for Métis students
Rupertsland Institute has secured access to Alberta Exam Bank for K-12 Métis students to test their understanding through online practice. Métis students can sign up for the RECC Room to find the login for their MNA Region. Questions? Contact education@rupertsland.org.
Earth Day - April 21, 2023
Check it out here: LINK
Still I Rise - May 4th, 2023
Still I Rise is for all grade 6-12 youth in Canada.
This event serves as an excellent opportunity to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike in walking together towards reconciliation.
High school students may be eligible to earn credits for participating in Still I Rise. Check out the Curriculum Connections section for more information.
Check it out here: LINK
Medicines
Get your Scholarship HERE!!
Métis Nation of Alberta
And lastly...
Hiy Hiy - Thank you for your Time.
- Justice Murray Sinclair
Email: candida.shepherd@eips.ca
Website: instagram.com/cmsheph
Location: Bev Facey Community High, Colwill Boulevard, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 7804670044
Twitter: @candidasheph