Kindergarten students at East Ridge Community School in Owen Sound recognize “Have a Heart Day”.

Students in Mme Osborne and Mme Rice’s French Immersion Kindergarten class have been learning about Indigenous culture. Last week Sharon Isaac from M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre visited students to share a storytelling workshop. Students have been discussing their new learning and making connections with experiences in their own lives. The Kindergarten children were then introduced to Shannen’s Dream. Shannen Koostachin, a youth education advocate from Attawapiskat First Nation, worked tirelessly to try to convince the federal government to give First Nations children a proper education. See link https://fncaringsociety.com/shannens-dream

The children were surprised to learn that many First Nations children did not have schools that were healthy and welcoming learning environments. Educators Mme Osborne and Mme Rice believe that young children should learn that they have the power to create positive change in their world. They invited children to participate in “Have a Heart Day” (in French Journée Ayez un Coeur). Students agreed that they were interested in sending cards and letters to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to tell him that all children should have the kind of school that they have. On Thursday, February 14th, 2019 Mme Osborne and Mme Rice’s class will be having their own special “Journée Ayez un Coeur” event. Students will listen to the story When We Were Alone by author David A. Robertson and they will listen to traditional cedar flute music in the classroom. They will have an opportunity to use a traditional drum to make rhythms that remind them of their heartbeat. They will be having a discussion to identify what the important things are for a school to be safe and welcoming. They will practice some of the new words that they learned in Anishinaabe and Cree when Sharon Isaac visited. They will be baking bannock to enjoy later in the day.

source: media release, East Ridge Community School