OLMP SCHOOL
INDIGENOUS AWARENESS DAY 2019 OLMP School is working towards honoring the Truth & Reconciliation Commissions calls to action (Awareness, Acknowledgement, Atonement, & Action) as well as the new Alberta Government’s Teacher Quality Standards (September 2019) by hosting an annual Indigenous Awareness Day.
This day will focus on educating our community on the true history of Canada while we celebrate the culture of the first people of this land. Staff, students and community members will attend and participate in an opening ceremony, sessions throughout the day and a closing ceremony with round dance hosted by Candy Morningway.
Our opening ceremony will begin with a smudge by Elder Roy Louis, a drumming demonstration and lesson from Rocky Morin and a key note address by Wilton (Willie) Littlechild, Ph.D., who is a Cree chief, residential school survivor, and lawyer who has worked both nationally and internationally including with the United Nations to advance Indigenous rights and Treaties. He has also – through leadership with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – raised awareness of former Canadian policies that decimated the livelihood and culture of Indigenous Canadians. In addition to his ongoing work with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, he’s continued to run his own law firm in Erminiskin Reserve, Alberta, and maintains his commitment to sport. He has been inducted into seven Sports Halls of Fame. He has been awarded the Order of Canada and in 1993, the Canadian government awarded Chief Littlechild the Canada 125 Medal. He is a 2015 Laureate of the Indspire Awards and was recently honoured with the Alberta Award of Excellence.
Following our opening ceremonies students and staff will sign up to participate in sessions throughout the day. These sessions will be run by various groups including but not limited to Elder Roy & Judy Louis from Maskwacis, Academics from Maskwacis Cultural College (MCC), Metis representatives from Rupertsland Institute, Leadership students from OLMP & their partner school of Ermineskin jr/sr High School, OLMP First Nations families, and numerous community supporters and volunteers.
