Metis Beach - Cultural learning and new friendships formed with Alaqsite'w Giptu School

Cross-cultural understanding and reconciliation was very tangible at Metis Beach School (MBS) CLC this year. After several months of planning and correspondance, including a skype call between students, Helene Sims grade 5-6 and Erin Ross's sec 1-2 travelled to Listuguj First Nation to meet the enrichment class of Alaqsite'w Giptu School (AGS), the name means "the eagle will soar".  

Beginning in April, Helene Sim and I began to dialogue with Anita Basque, AGS's guidance counselor.  The plan was a two day trip in May where 25 MBS students would be paired with 18 students from AGS.

Twenty-five MBS students made the journey May 14-15^th, and were greeted by the AGS school and community drummers and dancers. The students were paired with eighteen AGS enrichment class students.  Together they enjoyed a tour of the community, sharing skills in traditional cultural crafts and a traditional Mi'gmaq meal were prepared. They also were introduced to some of the community elders. On the second day they also travelled to a local Heritge Site and Museum called Metepenagiag. This is the oldest village in New Brunswick, located near the city of Miramichi.

The trip was a huge success. Not only was a good time was had by all, teachers felt that this trip went a long way towards the goal of cultivating an appreciation about the significance of the Mi'gmaq people. Teacher Erin Ross explains, “This project was a first step in our process to eliminate the stereotypes of First Nations people that we still hear our students repeat in the classroom setting. We (the staff) felt that our students needed to visit a First Nations community to see those perceptions shift towards something more positive.”

Indeed, beyond knowledge or awareness, the trip directly resulted in many personal friendships, which one will hope to be the beginning of long lasting relationships. The students only spent two days together but when they left the Listuguj reserve, there were many hugs and tearful goodbyes. “They attached to one another so quickly” Ms. Ross said. As an unexpected learning she went on to observe that several students who were typically disengaged were the most excited about the experience, “What I realized is that the project helped meet social needs that are not necessarily met with our smaller classes.”

Further evidence of success in building reconciliatory relationships emerged during a follow-up activity in their English classes, in which MBS students prepared written responses about their trip. “The comments were overwhelming positive and they have asked every day since when they will see their friends again.” Some students mentioned that it changed their perception of the culture. For example, one student mentioned in their response that [Mi’gmaq] dancing and drumming meant so much more than he realized, i.e. that it told a story.

Through-out the project, the support of principal, Brett Mitchell was essential to the project’s success. Including, his application for CLC grant funds to cover transportation. In the end, all involved agreed that more schools in Quebec should be developing partnerships with First Nations school communities, pointing out that both Aboriginal and non-Aboriignal students and teachers could benefit.

Metis Beach School Healthy Heritage Project

Métis Beach School

Students and community had the opportunity to take part in a workshop geared toward cultural understanding and acceptance of differences through some activities quite non-traditional to the area!

For three days the African percussion teacher, Louise Amyot, came to Metis Beach School to work with students and community members developing new skills and further understanding through documentary film, storytelling, songs and percussion practice.

This turned out to be very successful, and creative. As participants explored different artistic media and aspects of African culture, a positive sense of belonging was generated and positive relationships were bolstered. This is the sort of experience that we find contributing to reducing bullying.

To achieve the goal of acceptance students had the opportunity to learn by engaging themselves in a part of a culture foreign to their own. Students worked with the community members to create different rhythms and provide sounds effects for traditional stories. Aiding to understanding and acceptance of differences.

The community links greatly increased our success. For ten days before and after the activities at the school, Métis-sur-Mer Public Library brought together resources and information about African countries, cultures and the changing political situations in a free exhibition. Students as well as community members, including those who were unable to attend the workshops, were invited to view and discuss.

The success of this intergenerational and community building program was due to the diligent efforts of the partners involved including Louise Amyot who provided the cultural expertise and insight, the seniors who participated and Métis-sur-Mer Public Library. 

Cooking 4 Learning Christmas Baskets

Cooking 4 Learning Christmas baskets and Volunteer Cooks

Metis Beach CLC

Lynn Fournier

Secondary Cycle 2 students in a Personal Orientation Projects class (POP) used the "incubator" tool kit to develop a social entrepreneurship project over the course of a few weeks.

The students chose to get involved with the local food bank. A first visit was organized where the students met the director and the employees. The big day was planned, the students would cook a lunch with the staff and then help distribute Christmas baskets.

Upon returning to the school the participating students wanted to do more so they created a poster to send out to our parents and encouraged everyone to donate food for the baskets. When the big day arrived, the students were very nervous. The morning was spent cooking the lunch and in the afternoon they had lunch with the clients. The afternoon was spent completing the Christmas baskets (boxes) and helping to distribute to the clients picking them up. Over 100 baskets were given in that one afternoon.

The day was emotional because the students were in contact with many people in difficult situations. According to teacher Lynn Fournier, the students were satisfied with their day of service and would like to do it again. The staff and director from the food bank also appreciated our help and asked us to come back next year.

The work of the students met a genuine need for more volunteers at l'Unitè Domremy, the local food bank.  This collaboration helped encourage youth to volunteer in the future.  

You can read more about the project by clicking here.