April 15, 2015

This week and in the coming days, students from several Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) schools will interact with Aboriginal leaders in a series of learning activities that will enable both students and teaching staff to benefit by discovering the bounty of Métis and First Nations Cultures. Members of the media are invited to attend.

Kindergarten to grade 8 students at École Saint-Joseph (44 Lawton St. Blind River) will meet the Métis voyageur Christian Pilon until Friday, April 17, in the school, where this former Azilda resident will construct a five-foot birch bark canoe and initiate grade 5 to 8 Saint-Joseph students to the rudiments of canoe-building. On Friday, April 17, at about 1 p.m., students and staff will gather in the school gymnasium to celebrate the launch of the canoe that Mr. Pilon will have built during his visit at École Saint-Joseph.

Marcel Labelle, from the Métis and Anishinaabe nations, has been visiting Sudbury’s École secondaire du Sacré-Coeur (261 Notre-Dame Ave., Sudbury) for several weeks. During these frequent visits, Marcel Labelle shares his knowledge with students registered in the Aboriginal Education Studies and woodshop courses. Through these exchanges that will continue until the month of June, students will become familiar with the importance of the canoe for Métis and Native communities and will build a 13-foot birch-bark canoe.

David Bouchard, a renowned Western Canadian author appreciated for his writings promoting Aboriginal and Métis cultures, will offer a workshop to students at Espanola’s École Saint-Joseph (333 Mead Blvd, Espanola) on Tuesday, April 21, at 1 p.m. Proud of his Métis heritage, Bouchard has written more than 50 books in English and in French. In light of his contributions, Mr. Bouchard has won the Governor General’s Literary Award and received the Order of Canada.

Theresa Binda, member of the Michipicoten First Nation and Social Work professor at Algoma University, is offering this week a drumming workshop at École Notre-Dame-du-Sault (600 North St., Sault Ste. Marie). During the last ten years, Theresa has been a member of the Healing Lodge Singers, a traditional drum-singing group, and offers cultural workshops promoting Aboriginal teachings and traditional songs.

Isabelle Garceau will offer a cultural workshop in Dowling at École St-Étienne (79 Houle Ave., Dowling) on Wednesday, April 15, and at Garson’s École St-Augustin (648 O’Neil Drive West, Garson) on Thursday, April 16. Métis with Atikamekw and Innu heritage, Isabelle Garceau was able to reconnect with her culture through her personal research and experiences as well as her participation in various rituals.

The CSCNO, whose Aboriginal Education program is amongst the most proactive in Ontario, is offering this opportunity to its students to support Aboriginal students (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) and help them reach their full potential. The Board’s program includes initiatives that support awareness, learning and success at school, and seeks to instill pride and belonging towards Aboriginal cultures.

The Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario offers a French Catholic Educational Program that is widely recognized for its excellence. The CSCNO provides a quality academic program that runs from early childhood to adult education, with some 7,000 students in 27 elementary and 10 secondary schools.

Info:
Paul de la Riva
Communications and Community Development Coordinator
Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario
(705) 673-5626, ext. 294
(705) 677-8195 – cell phone