On June 21, 2017, all nine Superior North Catholic District School Board schools were honoured to join in the celebrations to honour National Aboriginal
Day. On this day, throughout the district, our students and educators took part in various events celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and achievements
of First Nation, Inuit and Metis people.
In one of our Northern Schools, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School, in partnership with Ginoogaming First Nation, hosted the Aboriginal Day festivities
in Longlac. Ginoogaming First Nation, the OPP, and Anishinabek Police Services led students from all three school boards on a National Aboriginal Day
Parade around town. The parade ended at Our Lady of Fatima School with an opening ceremony led by elder Victor Chapais, GFN Chief Celia Echum, with
drumming from former student Dallas Fisher, Mr. Vandenbroek, and SNCDSB primary Native Language and Culture students. The students participated in
a smudge, singing and then feasted on delicious bannock!
Our St. Joseph and St. Brigid Catholic schools celebrated this historical day at the Thunderbird Friendship Centre Aboriginal Day Celebration held
in Geraldton, Ontario. Battle Nation Drum Group provided teachings and opportunities for participants to sing. As the students prepared to
dance, Lynnea of the Thunderbird Friendship Centre lead the students in Powwow Conditioning Exercises. The day also included a log sawing competition
and ended with a Family Baseball Tournament led by Greenstone Ontario Provincial Police.
Superior North Catholic District School Board, St. Hilary Catholic School students in Red Rock and St. Edward Catholic School in Red Rock were
invited to attend the Aboriginal day activities at Lake Helen First Nation. Students in grades 5 to 8 attended, as well as George O'Neill public
school. The day began with a wreath laying to honour indigenous war veterans. The drumming groups from St. Edward and George O’Neill performed
during this ceremony. After the ceremony, the students enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Chalet Lodge. Students then had the opportunity to
choose from a variety of activities organized by the Band Council such as creating woodland art, face painting, canoe and pony rides. The students
had a wonderful time participating in these activities and a big thank you to Lake Helen First Nation for organizing this event. Kindergarten
students at St. Hilary School spent the day learning about the Ojibway creation story and creating “jingle sticks” to use for their dancing.
Moving along our district, SNCDSB students from Holy Angels Catholic School in Schreiber and St. Martins Catholic School in Terrace Bay celebrated
National Aboriginal Day with our friends and community partners in Pays Plat. Students spent the sunny afternoon making crafts and listening
to traditional storytelling. The sounds of traditional drums and songs echoed throughout the afternoon. Students were treated to traditional
bannock snack prepared by members of the community and band office.
Our Eastern schools celebrated the day together with Heron Bay Singers coming to Our Lady of Lourdes.
The Superior North Catholic District School Board expresses their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the First Nation community partners
to celebrate this fabulous day! Our schools were honoured to be invited to join our many first nation communities to experience these traditional
celebrations. Miigwech to the communities including Pays Plat First Nation, Ginoogaming First Nation, Lake Helen, Red Rock Indian Band
and the ThunderBird Friendship Centre for inviting our students and staff. An amazing day of building community!
