Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division

<h3 class="editor-heading-h3"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learning About Culture Through Experience</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students are developing a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures through opportunities to learn about traditions, ceremonies, stories, and community gatherings.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember146" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Carly explains:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Pow Wow is a celebration where Indigenous people gather together to enjoy and share food, dancing and traditions."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember148" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For Jade, a powwow represents both cultural expression and identity:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"A powwow is where communities express culture and identity. People dance in powwows to bring back their culture, and express themselves."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember150" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">An anonymous student summarized it simply:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"A powwow is something we celebrate in life."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember152" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These reflections demonstrate that students are moving beyond textbook knowledge and developing an appreciation for living cultures and traditions.</span></p><h3 id="ember153" class="editor-heading-h3" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Building Relationships and Belonging</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember154" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the key messages our students shared is that powwows create connection.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember155" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sallie reflected:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"When people go to powwows people connect from other reserves and even maybe other provinces, and people also share stories and teachings!!"</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember157" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lucas added:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Powwows are important because it brings people together by music and dancing."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember159" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Many students recognized the deeper sense of belonging that powwows foster.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember160" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">William wrote:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"The powwow is a place where everyone is connected and great to be around when you're in a rough time."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember162" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Sallie echoed this idea:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"The drumming and atmosphere or energy of the powwow makes people feel like they belong here. It also makes them feel safe there!"</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember164" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These reflections remind us that cultural connections support not only learning, but also wellness, belonging, and community.</span></p><h3 id="ember165" class="editor-heading-h3" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Honouring Identity and Cultural Pride</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember166" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The SRPSD Indigenous Perspectives Team emphasizes supporting Indigenous ways of knowing and being while helping all students learn respectfully about Indigenous cultures. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember167" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For some students, these teachings connect directly to their personal identities.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember168" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Naomi shared:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"I've been practicing Jingle since I was 5 years old. My mom taught me. She was really good at it."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember170" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">She continued:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Powwows to me are gatherings where I can express my feelings and passion for dancing."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember172" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And perhaps most powerfully:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"By wearing regalia it makes me feel alive and proud of who I am when I dance. I feel like I'm sharing my culture."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember174" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These words speak to the importance of creating educational spaces where students see their cultures valued, celebrated, and respected.</span></p><h3 id="ember175" class="editor-heading-h3" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learning Respect Through Teachings About Regalia</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember176" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Another recurring theme in student reflections was the importance of respecting regalia.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember177" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Azalea explained:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Regalia should be worn respectfully and it's important to culture. These pieces also can symbolize culture, heritage, family."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember179" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Corey reflected:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"It is not appropriate to touch other people's regalia randomly because it is a very sacred, very personal, and sometimes hand made by their elders, relatives, or just gifted by someone."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember181" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">William shared an important teaching:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Don't call other people's regalia costumes. It's disrespectful and costumes are for Halloween and you're not trying to be someone else."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember183" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These reflections show students learning not only about Indigenous traditions, but about respect, protocol, and cultural understanding.</span></p><h3 id="ember184" class="editor-heading-h3" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Connecting to the Land and Community</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember185" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Indigenous Perspectives Team places significant emphasis on land-based learning and Indigenous perspectives grounded in relationships with the land. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember186" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">That learning is reflected in Isabelle's thoughtful words:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Pow wows are a traditional community where people show how our life brings spirituality by dancing for our culture and caring for our people."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember188" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">She continued:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Us Indigenous people need to take care of our community by respecting our relationship to the land that the father let us dance on."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember190" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These reflections demonstrate students engaging with teachings about stewardship, responsibility, and interconnectedness—teachings that are central to many Indigenous worldviews.</span></p><h3 id="ember191" class="editor-heading-h3" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Guided by Elders and Knowledge Keepers</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember192" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The success of this work is rooted in relationships. Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division is fortunate to work alongside an Elders Advisory Council and dedicated Indigenous Perspectives Team members who share teachings, guide learning, and help ensure resources are authentic and respectful. The division's work is informed by respected Elders and Knowledge Keepers, including individuals whose expertise in Indigenous education, cultural knowledge, language, and community leadership helps shape learning opportunities for students and staff.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember193" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These relationships help ensure that reconciliation is not simply something students learn about—it becomes something they experience.</span></p><h3 id="ember194" class="editor-heading-h3" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Power of Student Voice</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember195" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One anonymous student reflected:</span></p><blockquote class="editor-quote" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"There are many different types of dances at a pow wow... sometimes there will be a dance that everyone could dance in if they're able to or if they want to, but you have to listen to the announcer."</span></blockquote><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember197" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">While simple, this observation reflects something significant: students are paying attention. They are learning protocols, developing understanding, and building respect.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember198" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division, reconciliation is taking shape through conversations, cultural experiences, land-based learning, relationships with Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and the ongoing support provided by the Indigenous Perspectives Team. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember199" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Most importantly, it is taking shape in our students.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember200" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Their reflections remind us that reconciliation is not only about understanding the past. It is about building a future grounded in respect, relationships, and a commitment to learning together.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" id="ember201" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And when students speak with such insight, empathy, and pride, we know that this work is making a difference.</span></p>