Gaspe Elementary School CLC
Eastern Shores School Board
Gaspe’s PoH was a very successful example of community-wide engagement. After students completed the normal steps, they were supported by the principal and many teachers to create art projects based on several prominent Aboriginal artists, displayed at an evening art gallery. The event was so popular that CBC was in attendance, resulting in a fabulous interview including some impressively articulate students!
“In class grades 3-6, using the 100 years of loss kits and the novel Fatty Legs we covered the history of residential schools to varying degrees based on the age of the children, but they all finished with an understanding of what happened.
Through the project we strengthened our relationship with an organizer in the Aboriginal community, Andrew Lavigne. Several of the staff involved were invited by Andrew to attend a sunrise ceremony on the morning of gallery night. We were very excited to have been invited and the experience was wonderful.
He helped us to make contact with Elder who came to our Art Gallery Evening and led a gathering ceremony and smudged the tiles in the presence of all those who were there.
Everyone then toured the gallery and listened to their children explain what they had learned. The students were very happy to share that moment with their families. Andrew set up a table with native artifacts and stayed to help those present learn about his culture. We had about 80 people attend.
Overall, this has been a powerful learning experience for students, staff and parents and we are already preparing for next year!”
