KisKihkeyimowin helps foster understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures

Darrell Willier is the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit coordinator for the Medicine Hat Public School Division and feels that being able to showcase their culture and traditions is a huge step towards reconciliation.

“I believe it’s really important for our students, as well as our community. Community being the schools, as well as the City of Medicine Hat,” Willier said.

“You know, just to learn a little bit about our culture and traditions,” he added.

“We weren’t allowed to talk about our culture or teach our culture for decades and decades. Otherwise, you’d go to jail if you got caught.”

Elder Charlie Fox said events like this allow indigenous to build up their self-esteem and gives a greater understanding and acceptance for non-Indigenous.

“When you have a hockey game or a football game and then there’s the land acknowledgement, you know that just makes my heart soar, you know and so that awareness of who we are as a race of people were very proud people and our people contributed to society in general our young people need to see that,” Fox said.

“I’m hoping that they can see that, you know and experience that, you know come to the stories that I tell them about who I am. I think all that lends to helping them, you know, see that they need to be proud of their self,” he added.

“Gives you a great understanding of the acceptance, you know beautiful culture that we have, and we’re here to share that, and I as an elder, of course really support. It’s our role as elders to teach our young in ceremony and in all the different life lessons,so this is definitely a must, the more we can do that, the better.”

Jaxen Bouman, a Grade 10 student from Crescent Heights High School said that he enjoyed the experience including the dancing.

“Well it’s definitely interesting. It was something that I never really seen before. So it’s really great to see what other cultures are like,” Bouman said.

“It’s part of our countries culture and past,” he added.

“It’s pretty important because a lot of the things that we are learning today are things that I would have never learned otherwise.”

Dobry Kunka, a grade 9 student at Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre, danced during the opening ceremonies.

Kunka said she felt more connected to her Indigenous culture being able to dance.

Kunka and her two siblings each wore traditional outfits gifted to them by their aunt.

“I feel like when I am dancing I just don’t worry about anything, all my stress and everything just goes away the second I am dancing,” Kunka said.

“This dance is very special to me because my cousin passed away in March, so dancing for her.”

Willier found the indigenous youth dancing to be quite impactful.

“You know, I found myself, as I was sitting on the stage watching these young people dance, how emotional it was getting for me just to see, you know, like when we had that four or five-year-old dancing. To me, that was so powerful,” Willier said.

The students will engage in some unique activities.

Engage in the circle of courage, talking circles and smudging
Explore traditional crafts like dream catchers, beading, and finger weaving
Learn the art of drumming
Discover the beauty of traditional dances and games
Immersed in hands on storytelling and rich cultural traditions

Helping to gain a stronger understanding of Indigenous culture.

Representatives from Medicine Hat College, the Miywasin Friendship, SAAMIS, local Indigenous community members, Indigenous allies, and volunteers from education program along with staff from the Medicine Hat Public School Division all playing an important role in the event.

There are six Tipis on site at Medicine Hat College and the public is welcome to explore them each night after 4 p.m. daily.

by Jesse Gill

KisKihkeyimowin helps foster understanding and appreciation of Indigenous cultures

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