S.S. Day 5; Storytelling and wrap-up

We started our day with storytelling. We heard two Indigenous stories; Turtle Island creation story and the Anishinabee story How Squirrel got its stripes.

First we listened...

And as we listened we acted it out....Greek Theatre style.

We then retold the story through various different story writing styles; Writing Diamond, Comic Strip, or Photo Frames. 

We then shared our retellings ....

We started some 6 room poetry that we will complete back at school next week...

As we wrapped up our week, creating timelines, listening to stories, and retelling stories was a big focus. Students worked hard and did great.

As we continue our journey back at school I look forward to seeing how our stories continue to unfold and come together to tell the story if who we are.

Thankyou to all our volunteers for all your help, we couldn't have done this without you!!!

S.S. Day 4; Trolley ride, stories, and perspectives.

"If we want our stories to be remembered, we must remember stories from before us" - author unknown

Today we ventured around on a Trolley Tour of some significant, historical monuments.

First we visited The Heritage Tree, a.k.a. The Century Tree. Over 100 years old, this American Elm tree holds stories of Calgary's history dating back to when the settlers first arrived. Planted for the next generation, there we were today!! We touched, smelt, listened and felt all the tree had to offer. We sadly learned that this tree will need to be removed to make way for the new arena.

What can we do to commemorate this tree?

We then visited Rundle Ruins. Once Calgary's General hospital, then seniors residence now ruins. This building was strong and safe, made completely from sandstone. Sadly, Jimmy Smith, a Chinese-Christian business man was not acknowledged for his seed money that was used to start this general hospital. In 2001 his tombstone was restored to acknowledge Jimmy and his story.

Union Cemetery was next on our list. It was cold and cloudy so if visiting a cemetery was eerie enough the weather sure set the scene. 

We acknowledged important people that contributed to Calgary's story.

Things have really changed since the 1960's when there wasn't much in downtown Calgary at all. The Elbow river has always been an important crossing for the first people and the first settlers and still today.

Muffy and the horses!

Today was horse day. 

We got to visit with Muffy Knox, a horse and people trainer. She taught us all about animal care, horse body language and animal safety.

Students all had a chance to interact with the horses. Students groomed the horses, cleaned the horses, fed the horses and even cleaned up after the horses!!

We wrapped up our day practicing Indigenous Ways of Knowing through one of my favorite sketching techniques; I see, I think, I wonder.

Muffy Knox, Scooby-Doo and Creampuff (little, mini horse is not a baby!!! She is fully grown!!). How old do you think she is??

Scooby-Doo has different coloured eyes, can you tell what colour they are? Ask you child why one eye looks smaller than the other....(hint: it is an illusion and had something to do with skin colour).

Scooby-Doo loves cuddles!! And scratches!!! And rubs!! What is her favorite spot to get scratched?

Today we learned horses can sleep standing up! We also witnessed the shortest nap of life; 20ish seconds!!

Students got to practice their sketching and Indigenous Ways of Knowing! Ask your child to finish these sentence starters for you, make sure they connect it to something they learned today!!

I see...

I think...

I wonder...

S.S. Day 2- Falon Manywounds and Council Practice

Today was another great day down at Stampede School!

First off, thank you to all our volunteers! We hope you enjoyed yourselves. 

Today we visited with Falon Manywounds, the 2020 Indigenous Princess. She is a 25yr old nutritionist and personal trainer. She is spending the year public speaking, educating people on her culture and way of life. Students had a great visit with her, she answered many questions the kids had and she demonstrated her Jingle Dance, wearing the Jingle Dress she made herself!

There are over 100 Jingles on Falon's dress. There is one other type of Jingle dress that has 365 jingles on it. We wondered how heavy that other type of Jingle dress might be....atleast 3 times heavier than Falon's!!

We practiced our dancing learned yesterday from Elder Shirley, and reminded ourselves of the community efforts children were always a part of; animal care, paddling canoes and cleaning tepees.

In the afternoon we visited with Austin, the Calgary Stampede Environmentalist. He shared with us about Council Practice. Students were tasked to sit with nature, still and quiet for 15mins. They were to visit with one thing in nature and then share their conversation! They were invited to share at Council, in 1st person, anything their visitor shared with them. This was a fun, creative and playful way to interact with the environment and think about how it might feel, based on the actions of everyone thing and everyone around it. Building empathy and acknowledgment for the land.

Students sat and talked to trees, snow, bushes, birds, branches, berries etc.

Students then shared at Council, in 1st person, if they choose to.

Even some brave adults did!!!

All in all, a great 2nd day.

Tomorrow is horse day! Dress in your least best clothes and wear proper outdoor boots!

S.S. Day 1- Elder Shirley Hill and bison biofacts

Students, volunteers and teachers had a GREAT 1st day at S.S.

We were privileged to learn about Blackfoot culture and traditions from Elder Shirley Hill. Students were respectful and engaged. We learned Blackfoot language, Jingle and Hoop dance, stories of where Indigenous people have been and how far they have come, the importance of acknowledging land a.k.a Mother Earth and the Creator, and all about life on the land.

See below for a glimpse of what a great day we had...

Students got to experience first hand some of the Regalia Shirley Hill shared with us.

Not only did the people work and have tools but their animals did too!

Our Stampede School classroom.

Dancing sticks and jingles.

Rocky and Lemon the Bear!- apparently he has a Facebook page if you would like to follow him!!!

Bison biofact/artifact learning; sketching 

" I see.....I think it was and was used for..."

All in all a fabulous day. BIG THANKS to all the volunteers!

Have a good nights rest everyone and see you tomorrow!

YAHOOOOOOO!!

PS: Outside for the afternoon tomorrow. Please dress in appropriate winter gear.