Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools September, 2015

Métis Education St. Michael Community School

We must cherish our inheritance. We must preserve our nationality for the youth of our future. The story should be written down to pass on.

Louis Riel

Métis Links

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St. Michael Comm Sch @StMikeGSCS

Métis Education Program at St. Michael School

Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated (CUMFI) and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools are in partnership to improve the learning opportunities for Métis students attending Catholic schools. This year we have started a Métis education program at St. Michael Community School. The goal is to have all teachers working to include Métis content in their classroom programs and to see Métis culture encouraged throughout the school. Many new resources have been brought in to to be used by teachers and we will be looking for ways to involve Métis people in supporting Métis culture at the school. This is an exciting time and we are looking forward to building this program with the staff and students at St. Michael Community School.

Vir tual Museum on Métis History, Language &

Perspectives (Gr 4-12) www.metismuseum.com

Métis Children History and Culture Site (K- 3) http://www.awchimo.ca/

Metis Stor ies - The Battle of the Grand Coteau (TR) http://www.lermuseum.org/en/chronology/colony-to-confederation-1764-1866/1815-1866/battle-of-grand-coteaunorth-dakota-12-14-july-1851/

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Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools September, 2015

Official Métis Flag Raising Ceremony at St. Michael School In recognition of the Métis Education Program at St. Michael Community School a flag raising ceremony was held on Sept 9, 2015. Representatives from Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated (CUMFI) and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools GSCS were on hand to participate in the event. Senator Nora Cummings provided a prayer and then was assisted by CUMFI President Shirley Isbister with the official raising of the Metis flag while students and staff sang the Métis national anthem. We want to thank all our guests for joining us. We also want to acknowledge our other dignitaries who represented the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan, GSCS board office and Métis elders.

The Métis flag will now be proudly displayed everyday at our school.

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Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools September, 2015

Métis Education Program Leader

A Métis Education Program Leader was hired to support the development of the program over the next year. Cort Dogniez will work with staff to provide leadership in three main areas:

• supporting meaningful ways to connect Métis content and perspectives to the Saskatchewan curriculum

• identifying Pre K - 8 Métis resources to support learning

• connecting and encouraging the involvement of the Métis community to support our program.

Cort will work closely with the staff of St. Michael Community School, CUMFI and the First Nations and Métis Education team with GSCS to develop a strategy to achieve these goals in a respectful, inclusive manner. This year is about building relationships, identifying starting points and looking for opportunities that enhance the learning experiences of all our students.

For further information please feel free to contact Cort At St. Michael School at (306) 659-7420 or by cell at (306) 290-6598

Métis National Anthem Audio version at: http://www.metismuseum.ca/resource.php/01374

In order to develop a positive Métis identity it is essential that students are exposed to Métis Elders and Knowledge Keepers, traditions, the Michif language, spirituality and history. It is also important to recognize the diversity of Métis experience as well as contemporary issues and contributions.

MN-S Submission to the Joint Task Force on Improving First Nations and Métis Education and Employment Outcomes

February, 2013

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Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools September, 2015

Michif Mondays Samson LaMontagne, our Grade 7/8 teacher, is spearheading Michif Mondays. Mr. L. has been introducing Michif phrases for students and staff to practice at our Monday morning assemblies. We are then encouraged to use those phrases throughout the week. He has also prepared practice sheets for the teachers to use with their students to make the learning fun for everyone!

Thanks to Mr. Thorson for using Michif in his morning messages and for Mr. Nechvatal for extending the learning to our school sign located at the front of our building!

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Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools September, 2015

Team Building At our last staff meeting Shirley Isbister and Evelyn Johnston brought greetings from CUMFI. To help remind us of Métis pride they presented a Métis sash to hang in every classroom and provided each staff member with a sash lanyard.

Métis Education Resource Room

One of the portable classrooms at St. Michael Community School is slowly transforming into our Métis Education Resource Room. The tables are filling with a variety of resources to support teachers in the inclusion of Métis content and perspectives. The materials are in a variety of formats including books, CDs, posters and kits. We even have a story corner that’s warm and cozy!