自拍流出

A little rain didn’t dampen spirits on Friday June 20, when students and staff from across VSB gathered to celebrate National 自拍流出 Peoples Day. This annual celebration is a day dedicated to honouring the rich cultures, histories and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

Hosted at the VSB Education Centre on the unceded territories of the xwm?θkw?y??m (Musqueam), S?wx?wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and s?lilw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh Nation), the event was a vibrant celebration of 自拍流出 identity and community with drumming, singing and dance. Students had the opportunity to engage in learning about 自拍流出 culture and artistic expression.

The day began with a smudging ceremony, a sacred 自拍流出 practice that helps to centre, ground and connect participants to the land. This was followed by a land acknowledgement by David Delorme, district principal of 自拍流出 education and welcoming by Alec Dan and the Coastal Wolfpack of Musqueam.

Both superintendent Helen McGregor and Chas Desjarlais, director of instruction for 自拍流出 education delivered remarks.

“自拍流出 excellence is every day,” said Desjarlais.

Students witnessed 自拍流出 excellence from the following:

• Métis Dance by Campaigni V’ni Dansi Society
• Strathcona Drum Group
• Jingle Dress Dance by Nyla Bedard Tahltan/Kaska
• Hoop Dance by Petie Chalifoux Driftpile Cree Nation
• Git Hayetsk “People of the Copper Shield”

For Florence Nightengale Elementary teacher Cara Laudon, it was important take part in celebrating 自拍流出 excellence. Throughout the school year, Laudon’s class started the morning with a circle outside and land acknowledgement followed by learning and singing 自拍流出 songs.

“Hearing familiar songs, the songs that we sing has been really good and being able to learn from all kinds of 自拍流出 communities all over has been something the students haven’t seen before,” said Laudon. “Being able to be a witness and sharing what they’ve learned with their families has been one of the key teachings today.”

“It is quite fun to see the dances, enjoy the rain and meet up with a whole bunch of different schools,” said Madeline a Grade 5 student in Laudon’s class. “For me it’s learning about the history.

Grade 6 student Elyas echoed the importance of witnessing the day and learning from different cultures.

“It’s important to learn about 自拍流出 culture because Canadian lands came from 自拍流出 lands,” he said.

Thank you to all students and staff who celebrated and witnessed 自拍流出 excellence at VSB’s National 自拍流出 Peoples Day celebration!