Embracing Differences aims to connect cultures to classrooms in Regina

Students at École St. Pius X in Regina were treated to a memorable experience on Friday morning.

Cultural workers paid a visit to students from grades five to seven as part of Regina Multicultural Council’s (RMC) Embracing Differences project – a multi-year initiative that connects cultural workers with grade five to eight classrooms in both Regina Public and Regina Catholic schools.

On Friday, guests Joely BigEagle Kequahtooway and Lorne Kequahtooway hosted a smudge ceremony, provided teachings on the history of the buffalo in Saskatchewan and throughout North America and capped off the session with an interactive buffalo banner art project.

Holly Paluck, project committee chair and Regina Multicultural Council board member, said this is a great opportunity for students to have an interactive experience when learning about other cultures.

“Some of the biggest differences we’ve seen over the last few years is there’s an increase in the diversity with the population in Saskatchewan,” explained Paluck.

“We have diverse communities, and often we don’t get to see beyond the visual of the person in terms of their cultural backgrounds.”

There are 28 classrooms that are taking part in this year’s project. However Paluck hopes more teachers and cultural workers will sign up to take part in future sessions.

A culminating, multicultural event is scheduled for March 23 and 24 for participants of the project this year.

The federal government has committed $200,000 to financially support the Embracing Differences project over the next three years.

 

‘It’s not just about culture. It’s about activism through art’

 

Joely BigEagle, an artist and co-founder of the Buffalo People Arts Institute, described their visit on Friday at École St. Pius as an opportunity for youth to learn about bringing the buffalo mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually through traditional Indigenous arts.

While the Embracing Differences initiative serves as a bridge to connect cultural workers with classrooms, BigEagle said the initiative allows her and other cultural teachers to provide lessons on subjects that some students might not be aware of.

“Part of the work we do is about sharing with young people and doing it as best and positively as we can because we want to create ambassadors,” noted BigEagle.

“We want these young people to know what happened because this is where they live. They need to know so they can share the truth with others.”

BigEagle led a presentation at the school’s library where she used PowerPoint slides, artwork and other items to help provide historical background on the genocide of buffalo in North America and the importance of the buffalo in Indigenous cultures.

She said they have already received positive feedback from other schools.

“We met a principal last week and she said her daughter in one of the classes was excited to tell her mother about what she learned about buffalo that day,” shared BigEagle. “That principal wanted us to come back so we can present to other classes.”

With a growing demand for these teachings in classrooms throughout the city, BigEagle said she looks forward to visiting more schools.

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