Âcimowin, kitachimowinaw,

Interested in learning more about how your school is engaging in truth-telling and the reconciliation process? Connect with Clay Haman @ clay.haman@eips.ca, the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Lead Teacher at the school.

Changes in EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Team

EIPS schools are welcoming Matthew Spencer, the newest member of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team. Matthew is a proud Nakoda from Carry the Kettle, Treaty 4 territory. He brings much experience and expertise to the Division. We’re excited for Matthew to meet everyone and become an important part of our EIPS family.

These events are not EIPS directed. We are sharing events that are happening around us this Christmas season in the greater Edmonton area.

December 2 – Skydancer's All Indigenous Christmas Market in Stony Plain

December 2 – Make a Turtle Pin in Sherwood Park, at the museum

December 9 – Artisan Holiday Market in Sherwood Park

December 16 – miyitowin ᒥᔨᑐᐃᐧᐣ Exchange of gifts in Edmonton

December 26 – Indigineous Campfire Conversations with host Beaver Hills Biosphere

There are many important dates of significance in the coming weeks, and EIPS is planning many engaging learning experiences for staff and students across the Division. Please mark your calendars now, so you don’t miss out on these very special events.

The EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team is thrilled to invite you all to our Indigenous Education family gathering on Wednesday, January 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will be a Métis Kitchen Party! Glen Allan Elementary, located at 106 Georgian Way in Sherwood Park, has generously offered their gym space for our gathering. Please join us for a meal to begin the evening and then spend time together listening to Métis fiddle champions Alex Kusturok and Brianna Lizotte as well as learning some basic Métis dance steps. It will be a wonderful family dance party to lighten up the long winter evenings! To help with our planning and guarantee there'll be enough food for everyone in attendance, a RSVP form will be sent to families in the near future.

You may have seen our two special guests on the news when they were part of the Indigenous delegation to travel to Rome to meet with the Pope. Alex and Brianne brought the beauty, strength and resilience of their Métis culture by playing their fiddles in the Vatican.

Watch the video

You can learn more about Alex Kusturok and Brianna Lizotte from their webpages.

The Ribbon Workshop is for secondary students—make your own Ribbon Skirt or Shirt. We’ll continue with our yearly tradition of sharing teachings from Elders and sewing ribbon skirts with interested students. This year, we are adding men’s teachings and sewing ribbon shirts. More information will be released as we get closer to the date.

January 4 is National Ribbon Skirt Day, but EIPS is on winter break at that time. Therefore,

we’ve planned our own EIPS divsionwide Ribbon Skirt/Ribbon Shirt Day on February 7.

Study Help for Métis students. Rupertsland Institute has secured access to Alberta ExamBank for K-12 Métis students to test their understanding through online practice. Métis students can sign up for the RECC Room to find the login for their MNA Region. Questions?

Contact education@rupertsland.org.

Is your child in Grade 12 and looking to move on to post-secondary education? There are a variety of scholarships, bursaries and grants available to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students to attend trade school, college or university. Talk to your child’s lead teacher for more information or support in filling out applications.

Students at Clover Bar learned about the contributions, and sacrifice, of Alex Decoteau, a First Nations soldier from Red Pheasant Reserve in Saskatchewan. Our Remembrance Day ceremony recognized Indigenous veterans by sharing Alex’s incredible accomplishments leading up to his heroic loss of life on the World War I battlefields of Passchendaele. During Métis Week, student teacher, Ms. Grundy delivered a Social Studies lesson that asked students to think about what makes a ‘Nation’, before going on to discuss the Métis Nation and what it means if someone identifies as Métis. The conversation was capped off with heading outside to play games designed to represent the skills needed as a successful Métis Voyageur.

Leaha Atcheynum continues with her monthly visits to Clover Bar on our early out days. The focus of the visits, as identified by students, will include Medicines, Rock Painting, Bracelet making (Wolf Willow & Finger Weaving), and Tufting. Dec 6th, Jan. 10th, Feb. 7th, Mar.6th, Apr. 3rd and May 1st. 10:30-11:30AM.

Interested in learning more about EIPS divisionwide work in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education? Reach out to your school’s lead teacher, connect with the Division team at victoria.vilaivan@eips.ca and read the Division’s blog.

Curious about Indigenous-focused events and programs planned for our area?

- Visit Strathcona County’s Indigenous Connections page for information and upcoming events.

- The City of Fort Saskatchewan has a Truth and Reconciliation initiatives page and an active Indigenous Society of Fort Saskatchewan.

- Visit the Indigenous events page through eventbrite.

- The Edmonton Indigenous Relations Community Bulletin shares events and initiatives in the Edmonton area.

Interested in learning more about the Cree 13 Moon calendar?

Cree Literacy Network has a printable 2024 calendar around the Cree th- and y-dialects. The website is also full of excellent information and resources on Cree language and culture.

When the Trees Crackle with the Cold by Bernice Johnson-Laxdal and Miriam Korner is an excellent book and activity pack that can be used by families to learn more about the 13 Moons.

The names of the 13 Moons can vary, depending on one’s teachings, dialect, place and culture. For example, Métis scholar Elmer Ghostkeeper outlines the 13 Moons from his teachings. You can read more in his book, Spirit Gifting: The Concept of Spiritual Exchange.