New Richmond - Lessons in art and culture enhance school life for First Nations students and peers

At New Richmond High School, teacher Natalie Hardy demonstrated that awareness of Aboriginal cultures can quite successfully be integrated into the classroom. With the help of local Mi'kmaq artist and elder Theresa Caplin, her primary cycle 3 group she completed a gorgeous art mural project. The project was embedded into several subjects, not only Arts Education but also Geography, History and Citizenship Education. The mural was mounted and unveiled in the school entrance at the end of the project.

The mural represents the medicine wheel, the four directions, the four seasons and the traditional activities associated with each. Students worked on four separate canvases that were put together to form the final product. Students used stucco, acrylic paint, paper, and glue for the creation of the project. The artist combined the canvases together by creating a 3D turtle that was placed in the center of the mural. Finally, she created a 3D eagle that was attached to the top right of the mural. This eagle was to represent the school logo and the name of the mural "Gitpu Giwto'qwasit" (Eagle Circling).

Theresa Caplin visited the grade 5-6 class every Wednesday morning for six weeks. She shared traditional spiritual teachings about her culture and worked with students to create this very inspired mural project related to Aboriginal spirituality. It was very positive for students to make a connection and build a relationshop with a member of the community who they knew of, but had never previously had the opportunity to work with and learn from.

CLC Coordinator Sarah Hayes assisted with project funds by applying for a grant from MELS, demonstrating the synergistic help that underlies the successful CLC approach.

Of course there were difficulties along the way as with all projects involveing partners outside the school setting, including arranging the meetings between the class and the artist. As well weather and Ministry exams made it difficult at times to meet.

This project was especially important and appropriate at NRHS, as the majority of the class are First Nation students. Principal Patrick Beer, Ms. Hayes and Ms. Hardy all saw that it was important to reflect the First Nation culture and hertiage of the area and of many of the students. Indeed Ms.Hardy observed that students demonstrated more enthusiasm at school on days involving the project. She also saw improved peer relationships between students involved.