November is Aboriginal Education Month at the TDSB. This year’s theme is “Aboriginal Presence in the War of 1812.” Throughout the month of November, the Aboriginal Education team will be hosting and presenting various events throughout the system. In addition, schools will be conducting their own school and classroom activities. “The history of Canada begins with Aboriginal peoples,” says Catherine Pawis, Central Coordinating Principal – Aboriginal Education. “By commemorating Aboriginal Education Month, we respect the enduring place that First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples hold in contemporary Canadian society.”
To visit the Aboriginal Education Centre (Click Here)
Aboriginal Education Month events
As November is Aboriginal Education Month in the TDSB, First Nations School would like to invite any school to join us for our Big Circle which takes place every Friday afternoon. Big Circle is our way of building community whereby all students, staff and community come together to end the week in a traditional way. The Circle is opened with a smudge of traditional medicines and a song from our boys' Big Drum group. In the Circle, our Tradition and Culture teacher will lead us in a Traditional Teaching, and our girls' hand-drummers willl sing in harmony in beautiful song! If you would like to bring your class to experience contemporary Aboriginal culture, please contact the school Principal, Lisa Zwicker at 416-393-0555.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Remembrance Day Sunrise Ceremony
Time: 7 a.m.
Location: Bala Avenue Community School
Contact: Tanya Senk @ the Aboriginal Education Centre 416-393-9600, Tanya.Senk@tdsb.on.ca
Social Celebrations - Remembrance Day
Students learn about the contributions of Aboriginal people to Canada's military since 1812 here.
Aboriginal Veterans Day
Each year from November 5th to 11th Canadians take the time to acknowledge the achievements of our Veterans and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice - more info (APTN)
Commemorating Aboriginal Veterans - Remembrance Day, November 2012
Click here for information.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Louis Riel Day Student Symposium (Grades 7 – 12)
Time: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Aboriginal Education Centre
90 Croatia Street (S.W. corner of Dufferin St. & Bloor St.)
Contact: Please contact the Aboriginal Education Centre at (416) 393-9600 for more information or see www.tdsb.on.ca/aboriginaleducation
Saturday, November 17, 2012
6th Annual Parents Make a Difference Conference
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Earl Haig Secondary School
Contact: Parents/guardians may register at www.tdsb.on.ca/parentconference or call 416 394-2070.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Louis Riel Day
Proclamation, Louis Riel Day
http://www.toronto.ca/proclamations/2012index.htm
“Louis Riel Day” is commemorated each year in the City of Toronto with remembrance ceremonies and events at various locations, including Toronto City Hall, and is held annually across the Métis Nation Homeland. This day serves to remind us that Louis Riel was executed on November 16, 1885, for being a persistent advocate for the rights of the Métis people in Canada. “Today we gain strength by remembering past struggles and we use that strength to find ways to move forward,” stated Gary Lipinski, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO). For more information on the Métis Nation of Ontario, please see the following website, http://www.metisnation.org. See more…
Learn more about Louis Riel and engage in learning activities to honour this date in your classrooms. Please see the Aboriginal Education Centre website for teaching ideas and resources or check the TDSB Days of Significance calendar for more information. http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=15&menuid=1593&pageid=1198
TDSB First Nation, Métis and Inuit Staff Network
The TDSB First Nation, Métis and Inuit Staff Network is a group of Aboriginal staff members who meet regularly for many different purposes…to share our personal stories and experiences, to support each other in our career journeys, for professional development as well as social and cultural activities. Please contact Catherine Pawis (Central Coordinating Principal, Aboriginal Education) at catherine.pawis@tdsb.on.ca if you are interested in participating in future gatherings.
In addition, many members of the network are working together as part of a planning team with other TDSB staff members to organize Aboriginal Education Month activities and have expressed interest in continuing to be involved in the development of other ongoing programming initiatives in Aboriginal Education. If you would like to learn more about this, please contact Tanya Senk at tanya.senk@tdsb.on.ca.