Indigenous students explore what CCH has to offer

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on May 5, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Students attempt to throw arrows through the rolling ring hoop thrown by Elder Kevin Healy during the Indigenous games portion of the Gathering event at Catholic Central High School.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Grade 9 and 10 students from various Holy Spirit Catholic School Division schools participated in the Iikaahkikkamina (Encouragement) Gathering this week at Catholic Central High School.
CCH coordinator of First Nations Metis and Inuit education, Shelley Kirkvold said the day focused on encouragement for Grade 9 and Grade 10 students who are coming into high school as well as those who are still transitioning through high school.
CCH welcomed students from St. Michael’s School in Pincher Creek, Father Leonard Van Tighem and St. Francis Junior High School.
“The whole focus is to provide an opportunity to listen to stories from our elders, our wisdom keepers, who really want them to be their best selves, and to showcase the other supports that we have within the school,” said Kirkvold.
The various supports were represented by stations, where students were able to see the school’s work experience, RAP program, dual credit, as well as the First Nations-Metis-Inuit grad coach support worker.
“It is important for our students to know that they are here to be supported, to have their success seen as something that can be guided through their high school career,” said Kirkvold.
Grade 9 student from St. Francis Junior High School Shace Daychief said he is a little worried about Grade 10 but the students that spoke at the gathering put his mind at ease and he enjoyed the day.
“The day was really interesting, we got shown a lot of things, taught a lot of stories. It was a good experience,” said Daychief.
 He said his favourite part of the day was when the elders told stories about why tradition is so important to them.
Students had the opportunity to take part in Indigenous games which according to Kirkvold, provided the students with a sense of cooperation while offering them a healthy dose of competition.
“They are learning about their culture and reconnecting to their culture and being very proud of who they are and their culture,” said Kirkvold.
She added that the students also had the opportunity to witness something very special that is part of their culture.
 “I was so excited to be able to share their day with them that they shared something with me and earlier on today I was blessed and honoured with a Blackfoot name,” said Kirkvold.
She said she is learning a lot in her role and could not stress enough how honoured she was to be able to be part of something so special.

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