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​National Indigenous Peoples' Day:

National Indigenous Peoples' Day is honoured annually on June 21st, marking the beginning of summer solstice. In Indigenous communities, summer solstice signifies a time of renewal and ceremonies which are connected to the seasons, land and spirituality. National Indigenous Peoples Day is for all Canadians to recognize the diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada. It is a day for communities to come together and acknowledge Indigenous peoples contributions, both historical and contemporary. It is important to honour the traditional territory on which we live and the original peoples of this land.

While we acknowledge the significance of this day, teachers will be thoughtful to include rich learning opportunities that live through the disciplines, and connect to ongoing, long-term work to honour and learn from Indigenous knowledge systems, languages and histories.

As part of our ongoing work, several RTA teachers will be also be working with an Indigenous Education Leader at Carburn Park over the next couple of weeks, continuing to grow and to connect our sacred space to rich and meaningful learning.

Community Resources for RTA families:

• Virtual 2022 Aboriginal Awareness Week Opening Ceremonies at Honouring Mother Earth Website: https://honouringmotherearth.com/
• Summer Solstice Festivals: https://summersolsticefestivals.ca/
• Nitsitapiisinni: Stories and Spaces is a comprehensive plant index featuring traditional plants in Treaty 7
• Stories of the Land is a land acknowledgment video created by Calgary Foundation.
• Indigenous Skies of Alberta is a University of Calgary resource that explores sky stories and related constellations.

While this learning is embedded each and every day at RTA, in all subjects and disciplines, teachers, staff and students will be mindful to take some extra time to celebrate and to share stories.

Grade 5 & 6

• Students will visit Carburn Park in these last couple of weeks, revisiting their sacred spot and sharing stories.

Grade 7

• Grade 7 students will visit Carburn Park in the PM
• Students will eat lunch and then identify 5-6 local plants that Indigenous people used and learned about in class.

• Indigenous Summer Solstice Virtual Presentation 
• Science – Grade 8 students will be exploring the Indigenous Perspective on Science (Two-eyed seeing and what is indigenous place). We will also be exploring various Indigenous perspectives on the Northern Lights. 
• Humanities – Grade 8 students will learn the importance of the summer solstice to Indigenous communities and do some writing inspired by summer-themed art and music.

Grade 9

• Prior to National Indigenous Week:
  
• Learn the stories of Carburn Park (June 17 pm)
• Build Knowledge - Review Truth and Reconciliation initiatives (June 13-17)
• What Are the Truth & Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action & How Are We Working Toward Achieving Them Today?
• Read tenets of the TRC the week before (June 13-17)
• Show Reel Injun documentary (June 8ish)
• Student led watercolor lesson (June 7 & 14)
• National Indigenous People's Day
• Indigenous Summer Solstice Virtual Presentation 
• Guest Speaker Alyssa Wiens - Metis history, perspective, crafts, treat
• Revisit your November tree in Carburn Park in the PM
• Write tree poem
• Watercolour your tree
• Stories of the land (teacher PD on June 17)
• Water arc activities from https://indigenoussteam.org/tools-resources/

​Physical Education

• ​All PE classes will be participating in two traditional Indigenous Games.  
• The background and history of the games will be shared prior to playing Lacrosse and Sticks.
• Lacrosse Legend

We are so happy to be able to share this very important work,

Brenda Lewis