CANORA- With the National Indigenous Peoples Day just ahead on June 21, students and staff from Canora Composite and Canora Junior Elementary schools gathered outside CCS for a special event on June 18. Members of the local Canora community were also invited to attend.
CCS Principal Derek Serdachny welcomed all those in attendance
“Today is all about celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day.”
Kici Anishinabek Ikwe Chris Stevens shared the opening prayer.
Also in attendance were:
- Robert Severight, Good Spirit School Division Cultural Advocate;
- Yullinda Ponicappo, Indigenous Cultural Worker based in Canora;
- GSSD Superintendent Shaune Beatty; and
- CJES Principal Shawna Stangel
CCS student Meekah Unick and CJES student River Crane read the land acknowledgement.
Yullinda Ponicappo led the introduction of a pair of games with Indigenous origins, which both Canora schools are hoping will become a regular feature of their recreational activities.
The first game, originating with the Blackfoot, is called “Make the stick jump.” Players attempt to knock a stick the furthest by throwing bean bags.
The second game, from the Cree, is known as “Double ball.” It’s similar to lacrosse, but the teams play with two balls tied together by a string. This game is helpful for improving hand/eye co-ordination, important for developing prolific young hunters.
During the past school year, Robert Severight worked with both Canora schools and established three drumming groups, two at CJES and one at CCS. Each drumming group gave a performance. Songs included the Indigenous flag song and a song for military veterans.
“We learned how to drum, the importance of the drum, and the significance of each part of the drum,” said Severight. Addressing the members of the drumming groups directly, he added, “You guys are brothers now.”
In keeping with Indigenous tradition, Shawna Stangel offered tobacco to Severight and asked him for his help with awareness at Canora schools.
The CCS drumming group and singers accompanied the Indigenous dancers, dressed in their colourful traditional costumes.
As a young dancer opened their performance, Severight said, “Indigenous children start dancing as soon as they can walk.”
Ariyah Cree, a student at CCS, performed the jingle dress dance. Echo, another CCS student, performed an old-style fancy dance.
Chase, a fancy dancer, showed the audience his energetic war dance.
Kici Anishinabek Ikwe Chris Stevens, representing Indigenous mothers and grandmothers, performed a women’s traditional dance.
A trio of grass dancers shared a traditional powwow dance to a grass dance song.
All the students from both schools were informed that, once it arrives at their schools, they would have the opportunity to sample bannock, a staple food for the Indigenous culture.
The celebration closed when Robert Severight lead a friendship round dance, with everyone in attendance joining hands in a circle, which covered almost the complete CCS football field.
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