Boys at E’cole Kelly School have fun using wooden block skis to maneuver through snow at the afternoon of activities celebrating all things French, Metis and from the Voyaguer era on Feb. 22. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News
More than 180 students and staff at Ecole O’Kelly School on Canadian Forces Base Shilo celebrated French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
Pupils traversed from more than ten indoor and outdoor activity stations throughout the afternoon winter festivities, participating in the spree to learn about voyageur history.
Sherry Baker, O’Kelly’s principal, said it is the first time the school has taken part in such a cultural spree while she has been there.
“When we are continually striving towards reconciliation, it absolutely makes sense that that students know and understand those connections and relationships from long ago, right now and for our future.”
“The learning goals were to gain a solid understanding of the deep connections and ongoing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples from pre and post-voyageur days until today, and for our shared tomorrows,” she said.
Feedback was extremely positive, she said, of the wonderfully weathered day with the youth loving the various activities, which included bannock making, jigging, taffy making and live music.
One of the day’s mentors was the dancing duo Hunter Oleschak and his sister Hayley Oleschak. The siblings were teaching jigging to the school through their dance, “The Red River Jig”. He said they were happy to help preserve the Metis Culture and be one of the presenters for the special day.
Knowing the history is significant, Baker said.
“I hope the connections were made between what we’ve been learning about in the Voyageur era, French language and Metis culture. Those connections just solidify the kid’s understanding of [ties] to our Indigenous cultures, the Metis and languages.”
PHOTO GALLERY:
Students at E’cole Kelly School had an afternoon of tasty fun making maple taffy and celebrating a Winterfest of learning about the era of the voyageurs, French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
Students at E’cole Kelly School had an afternoon of fun celebrating a winter fest of learning about the era of the voyageurs, French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
Students at E’cole Kelly School had an afternoon of fun celebrating a winter fest of learning about the era of the voyageurs, French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
Students at E’cole Kelly School had an afternoon of fun celebrating a winter fest of learning about the era of the voyageurs, French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
Students at E’cole Kelly School had an afternoon of fun celebrating a winter fest of learning about the era of the voyageurs, French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
Students at E’cole Kelly School had an afternoon of fun celebrating a winter fest of learning about the era of the voyageurs, French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
Students at E’cole Kelly School had an afternoon of fun celebrating a winter fest of learning about the era of the voyageurs, French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
Students at E’cole Kelly School had an afternoon of fun celebrating a winter fest of learning about the era of the voyageurs, French and Metis culture on Feb. 22.
