The Canada Sports Friendship Exchange Program provided some local students with a life-changing experience this week, as 24 Grade 8 students from Alexandra Community School travelled to the Mi’gmaq community of Listuguj, on the Gaspé Peninsula.
The students were each paired with a student from Alaqsite’w Gitpu School, who introduced them to their local culture and community.
As fate would have it, the mascot of both schools is the Eagle! And just as the Eagle represents the Grandfather Teaching of Zaagi’idiwin, both groups of students represented their communities with mutual love and respect.
It was a week of many new experiences for the Alexandra students, as 20 of the 24 travelers rode an airplane for the first time, and 18 students took their first trip outside the province.
The packed itinerary featured once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including participating in a sweat lodge ceremony, dining on moose meat stew, and visiting the Atlantic Ocean at Carlton-Sur-La-Mer, Quebec.
The Alexandra Eagles also learned about the history of Listuguj, including the 1981 Salmon Raid, in which the Quebec government controversially arrested and injured dozens of local fishermen, explored local geography by hiking to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, and enjoyed the arts while attending Sugarloaf Senior High School’s annual Pow-Wow.
After the busy week it was bittersweet for the Owen Sound Eagles to say “atiu” to their new friends. However, the camaraderie continues as Alexandra hosts their 25 exchange partners from June 12 -18.
The planned itinerary not only includes a two-night visit to Toronto, but also shows off both the well-known attractions and hidden gems of our area we all know and love. Planned activities include visits to the Bluewater District School Board’s Outdoor Education Centre, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Bruce Power, and much more.
The Alexandra school community gives thanks to the Canada Sports Friendship Exchange Program, Alaqsite’w Giptu School, and the Listuguj community for making these special memories happen! More information about CSFEP is available here.
