SJSH Mkwa Doodem Celebrates Indigenous Culture with Community
Posted on 06/20/2023
Tomorrow is Wednesday, June 21, which also marks National Indigenous People's Day. Over the course of this school year, the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board (NPSC) has continued to foster and honour Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, as part of our commitment to our Truth and Reconciliation journey.
On Thursday, May 11, St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic Secondary School (SJSH) invited students, staff and community members to a Pow Wow, led by the student-advisory group, Mkwa Doodem, and students in the Indigenous Studies classes.
Invited guests had the opportunity to celebrate, educate, and come together in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation through song, dance and culture. The Pow Wow was pleased to welcome NPSC Trustee Mike Sawyer, Nipissing First Nation Elder and Residential School Survivor June Commanda, Elder Peter Beaucage, Veteran Patrick Stevens Junior, NPSC Chair Shawn Fitzsimmons, Bishop Thomas Dowd, Vice-Chair Barb McCool, Trustees Shelly Warren and Jacques Begin, Senior Administration as well as, many Nipissing First Nation community members.
This year's theme was Truth & Reconciliation, and our students and staff, led by Tory Fisher, Indigenous Languages/Studies Teacher at SJSH, enjoyed a day of learning and celebration, focusing on healing and looking ahead to the future. Guests in attendance were welcome to a feast catered by Carla’s Kitchen, featuring chili and scone dogs.
As members of a greater, collective community, let's walk this journey of Truth and Reconciliation alongside our students, staff, family and friends.
To experience the rich day of learning at the SJSH Pow Wow, please enjoy the video below, filmed, edited and directed by SJSH Gr. 11 student, McCrea Cazabon. McCrea's professional portfolio can be found here! Thank you, McCrea for your amazing coverage of the event.
SJSH Pow Wow 2023 Video (by McCrea Production)
McCrea Production:
Instagram
YouTube
Please find below various photos taken from NPSC staff and SJSH students/staff for your viewing pleasure of the Pow Wow.
Miigwech
