Eyes Open for the First Time: Reconciliation

by Dante Bear

I was sitting along the cold, white benches under the arbor watching my class inform the U of R students about the Kairos Blanket Exercise. It begins with the students standing on many different Land (blankets) and the Europeans come to find the many different tribes as being different and begin to reform the uneducated First Nations. I chose not to participate because it’s hard to think about the injustice that was caused by the wasichus (white man), because we were different.

Reconciliation. Not everyone knows what it means. To “reconcile” is a way of coming together, which some people might think is an apology, depending on the way you use it.

The Blanket Exercise – taught to us by Mrs. Koops – is a great insight to a mental picture of the injustice First Nations had to suffer and overcome. I myself believe there isn’t a way to pay for the damages (reconcile) for what happened in the past, but we as proud people accept that as fact. I know my words sound ungrateful, but I think I speak for every First Nations person, you can’t cause mass genocide and just throw money at the people and say sorry. It doesn’t work like that.

So yeah, the Blanket Exercise paints a vivid picture of the past, makes the people think, “What if that was me? What if I was raped, abused, taken away from my family? I don’t think money would fix that.” This us how I picture people doing the Blanket Exercise, as if they were blind, but after they picture what is being taught in front of them, their eyes open for the first time.

Ceremony, Land and Treaty History

by Austin Pasqua

Flag Ceremony

 

Land of Treaty People

 

 

Teaching Kids about Treaty History

 

 

Teaching Archery

 

 

Teaching Kids Our Shared History

 

 

 

My Treaty 4 in 4 Days

by Raven Cook

 

The first time I lead the Blanket Exercise with Kaleya.

I was nervous but it was good.

 

The Treaty 4 Grounds

a beautiful view.

 

 

During the talking circle

the responses we got were great.

I loved hearing their thoughts.

 

 

Shaking hands in the circle

it felt good and it made me feel like I was respected.

 

 

They were one of my favourite groups to read to

and I look forward to reading to more groups.

 

 

 

The First Interview I Ever Had

by Michael Starr-Desnomie

The Interview

 

 

Tribes' Artefacts

 

 

Traditional Drawings on the Tipis

 

 

Tipi Activities

 

 

Tipis

 

 

Flags

 

 

Bro and Tipi

 

 

First Interview I Ever Had

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Knowledge to You

By Logan Goodwill and Dante Bear

 

 

Teaching History

 

 

Talking Circle

 

 

Our Grounds

 

 

Sharing Knowledge

 

 

Listening

 

 

Folding

 

 

Starting Off Small

 

 

 

#oskijourney Week One Highlights

"My first week of school was alright. I liked it. I didn't skip a day, so that's good. Mrs. Koops' class wasn't what I expected. Now that I know how it will be, I'm curious to see how this school year will be :)" Raven Cook

"My first week was pretty great. Met some new people. Made them laugh and what I'm learning in my classes is pretty great as well, learning stuff I don't know. It's great seeing my bruthas that are in my class, too, but going 4 my goal." Michael Starr Desnomie

"My first week was okay. Had fun doing the hoola-hoop train." Leslie Maple

"I liked playing with my friends in the gym." Bailey Kahnapace

"I thought it was good, except that one day I was mad, but I got a good feeling I will do good in this class. It's fun." Lacey Missens

"My thoughts on my first day was that it was good and everyone was welcoming." Kaleya McNab

"This week was crammed packed with preparations for the Treaty 4 Gathering next week. We workshopped the Kairos Blanket Exercise, preparing to present twice a day, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week. We gave demonstrations and explanations throughout the school in preparation for the feast protocol and feast bag . We took over 300 pictures, documenting everything from our classroom set up to the blanket exercise to Leslie, Bailey and Lacey inventing the hoola-hoop train cooperative game (which incorporates meditative walking, balancing and being able to text at the same time. I think we will use as an ice-breaker in upcoming workshops.)We brainstormed ideas for climbing the hill at Treaty 4, and came up with an activity on Treaty Relationships. We prepared all the sign-up boards for the tipi stations at the gathering. We started each morning with a talking circle on the floor to begin in a humble way. I also received emails from schools already requesting us to bring them the Kairos Blanket Exercise later in September. I was especially encouraged by a meeting with Mrs. Jill Young-Lee, our principal and Sheri McKay, a youth worker from Regina. What a great week. And Calen Whiteman, Logan Goodwill, Ernest Goodwill, you all owe me an exit slip, topic: Week One Highlights." Sheena Koops

 

 

 

To Start a Friendship

Flash Back Friday with Oski-pimohtahtamwak otayisīniwiwaw Grads 2017

 

In June 2017, we travelled to Wadena to Share the Kairos Blanket Exercise. Here's what two new friends had to say, Cole Taylor and Michael Cardinal.

Sheena: You said some beautiful things in the talking circle. Do you mind sharing them with me again?

 

Cole: “My pre-notations (were) that you guys would be forceful or preachy, that we were horrible, but you were kind and accepting. It just takes one common bond or one little spark to start a friendship. It’s not hard to find. The guitar I brought out (started that conversation)."

 

Sheena: Tell me about Wadena.

Michael: The kids were really well behaved, even though there were so many of them. Even though there were so much of them, I’m pretty sure we got through to most of them. A lot of them had really good things to say. There was lunch, but I didn’t even eat anything. I was going to, but they closed it before I got there. Yeah, all the kids were really well behaved.

Sheena: Tell me more about Cole Taylor.

Michael: This guy, Cole, came up to me at lunch, because we’d run out of time for the Talking Circle. I was just sitting there, he came up to me with his teacher, talking about the blanket exercise and what the settlers did. Then we just started hanging out and talking about guitar and stuff. I played on his guitar for a bit and then we kind of became friends. In the talking circle he said that we were really cool. After the talking circle, we were going to leave, but he had me play on his guitar and he recorded it for his ring tone. Just before we left he got me to sign his guitar. He was just happy.

 

Feast Protocol and Kit Demonstration

by the students of Oski-pimohtahtamwak otayisīniwiwaw

Next Monday, September 11th, our entire school is going to the Treaty 4 Feast at the powwow grounds. Our class spent a couple hours going from room to room explaining feast protocol and demonstrating what a feast kit entails. At first Mrs. Koops was explaining, but then she was called to the office.

Here's how Logan explains it: "Teach ditched the squad and wanted us to try a presentation on our own. Everybody said 'no' except me. It's always good experiencing new things. We're only young once."

 
"When I returned," said Mrs. Koops, "the art students and substitute teacher, Ms. Orban, were drilling my students with all sorts of questions and Michael Starr-Desnomie was answering from his family's teachings. Questions like, What if we don't like the food being offered? What if we're Hindu or Catholic? Who serves at the feast? What do we do with left-over feast food?" 

"The teaching protocol for the Monday feast was pretty good. I wasn't afraid to talk to the people that need to know what to bring and what to do when the food goes bad," said Michael. "Put the food near a tree or bush, making sure to tell them to put it facing the north side, telling people what to do with the food and always respect where you're at and that you can't refuse food that's given and prayed for."

"I was kind of nervous to speak when my teacher went to go get something from one of the other students," Michael continues. "I had to tell the other students what they need to know about the Treaty 4 feast. It was an honour to speak."

"While presenting the feast protocol I've learned things we're to do and not to do. It was interesting because I haven't been to one. Though I hardly spoke, I was still nervous. It was cool learning about it and I can't wait to see how it plays out on Monday. #newexperience" said Raven.

We handed everyone a letter to take home about the Treaty 4 Gathering and a little feast kit list of things not to forget. Below you'll find an invitation to the feast. Hope you can join us!

You are invited to the Treaty Four Traditional Feast, Monday, September 11^th, 2017, 12:00 noon at the powwow grounds.

Never been to a Traditional Feast?  Here's what you need to know:

·         Bring some food to share. One of the following would be great: soup, fruit, bannock, juice boxes. Please deliver by 11:45 to the announcer’s booth set up area. (Note. The school will be bringing food on behalf of our students attending.)

·         Bring a feast kit: carry away bag, multiple size plastic containers or jars with lids (for eating and take away), spoon, fork, knife, serviettes, plate, plastic bags, wipes if you like.

·         Blanket to sit on or a chair if you are elderly or unable to sit on the ground.

·         Women, wear long skirts or wrap around and do not sit crossed legged, but with knees to the side.

·         Selected young men will serve the food until it is all distributed.

·         Women sit together on one side and men sit together on the other side.

·         Women on their cycle (moon time) are asked to sit outside the circle to respect their power.

·         Ask about local protocol with left over feast food.

If you have questions that I can answer (from a newcomer’s or educator’s perspective), feel free to email me, sheena.koops@pvsd.ca or call at Bert Fox Community High School 306.332.4343.

Protocols used in consultation with Tracy Pasqua, Chair of 2016 Treaty 4 Gathering Events.