Indigenous Education Newsletter
October 2023
❤️ Hello February ❤️
Photo from the Anishinabek Nation.
Photo from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
🗓️ February Dates of Significance 🗓️
February 14th
Started by the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society in 2012, Have a Heart Day on February 14th calls upon Canadians to advocate for the sovereign right of First Nations children, such as the right to safe and culturally reflective healthcare and education.
From the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, "Have a Heart Day is a child and youth-led reconciliation event that brings together caring Canadians to help ensure First Nations children have the opportunity to grow safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and be proud of who they are.
More information can be found here.
February 14th
Women's Memorial Marches
On and around February 14th, communities across Canada hold Women's Memorial Marches, to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, transgender, and gender diverse (WG2STGD+) people, and to support grieving families and communities.
Inspired by marches organized in Vancouver, Women's Memorial Marches have spread across Canada. Please consult your local community to find more information about your local march.
📌 What's Happening in Indigenous Education at the LDSB?📌
Decolonizing Science Visit
The Indigenous Education Team visited some Grade 9 science classes and talked about what it means to decolonize science, and the importance of using multiple knowledge systems to establish deeper relationships of reciprocity with the natural world. Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer's work was discussed throughout the presentation!
An Amazing Visit with Marsha Ireland
In collaboration with S5 WAVES, the LDSB was very grateful to have elementary classes learn from Elder Marsha Ireland. Marsha is a member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames who for years, has been working to preserve the Oneida language through sign-language, to help community members who are deaf learn their language. You can learn more about Marsha here. Marsha is an incredible language warrior, and the LDSB was very grateful for this experience in which elementary students, staff, community members, and teacher candidates were able to learn about the many different ways that Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island are revitalizing and sustaining their languages. We learned the words bear, turtle, wolf, beaver and many others in Oneida Sign Language!
Please see some pictures below, shared on the S5 WAVE'S Facebook page. S5 Waves is a community-focused and grassroots organization for members of the deaf community. Follow their page here.
Marsha signing the word for Oneida.
Students learning how to applause in ASL.
Marsha visiting the ITEP lounge.
More to come!
We are eager to work with everyone across the district this year to support Indigenous students, families, and community members. If you are interested in working with the Indigenous Education Team, please fill out the LDSB Indigenous Education Referral Form. The form is now open!
📸 Feature Your School Community 📸
We want to celebrate the work happening in schools across the Limestone District School Board in Indigenous Education! If you have an Indigenous community member visit your class, go on a field trip, participate in a community event, or more; email the team to be featured in the newsletter so that students, families, and the community can see what's happening!
Email your submissions to VP of Indigenous Education, Liv Rondeau at rondeaul@limestone.on.ca before the 30th of every month to be featured in next months newsletter.
❗Upcoming Opportunities in Indigenous Education ❗
The next Allyship café will take place on Tuesday, February 27th, from 3:45 pm - 5:00pm.
The next session will take place on Thursday, February 22, from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm.
🐢 Community Corner 🐢
This section of the Indigenous Education newsletter will highlight events and opportunities that are happening in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington. If you have something that you'd like to see added, please email it to the VP of Indigenous Education, Liv Rondeau at rondeaul@limestone.on.ca
Please share with self-identified Indigenous students and caregivers in your school community!
This #BlackHistoryMonth, join us in celebrating contemporary Black & Afro-Indigenous joy and excellence! Let's center the talent, creativity, and strength of our relatives today and every day!
Post and photo from IllumiNative on X.
One Time Events
Calendar from the Kingston Native Centre and Languages Nest's Facebook page.
Posting from the Kingston Native Centre and Languages Nest's Facebook page.
Posting from the Anishinabek Nation's X page.
JOIN US! Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services’ Cultural Department's 2nd Annual Youth & Elders Cultural Gatherings: SUDBURY February 17-18, 2024 Holiday Inn Day 1 9AM – 8PM | Day 2 9AM – 4PM LITTLE CURRENT March 23-24, 2024 Manitoulin Hotel Day 1 9AM – 8PM | Day 2 9AM – 4PM
Posting from the Family Health & Child Development Program's Facebook Page.
Family Health and Child Development, CARA and the Journey Together Programs are hosting a winter carnival at the canteen on February 24! Registration is not mandatory but is highly encouraged and appreciated. Registration is open now until 4:30 p.m. February 20.
Scan the QR code in the flyer or visit
https://forms.office.com/r/B0cDWttj0u to register.
Posting from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte's Facebook Page.
The Community Recreation Centre is the place to be between 7 and 8 p.m.! Join Mohawk Family Services and CARA for a Family Skate. You can also join us from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday!
Repeating Events
From the Heart
This posting is directly from the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest.
From the Hearth is an in-person poetry and spoken word workshop series that expands our circles of care to embrace the journeys, stories and connections we share as humans. We guide both new and experienced poets through the art of storytelling and finding an individual voice that celebrates collective memory and belonging. We discuss why our stories are important, do exercises in expression and inspiration and think about community and collaboration. This series is facilitated by Billie the Kid who is a K’ai Taile Dené and Nehiyaw spoken word poet and storyteller in collaboration with Mandy Wilson, Community Connection Coordinator at the Kingston Native Centre & Language Nest (KNCLN)
All are welcome and no experience is required. Participants can register for individual workshops, or join the full series.
Please register with the link below