Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh Dancers during an assembly at Fairview Elementary school on Wednesday, June 10.
By Mandy Moraes, NLPS staff
From storytelling and traditional games to dance and language activities, students across Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools are taking part in Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations that encourage learning and deepen their understanding of the communities whose traditional territories they live, learn, and play in.
National Indigenous Peoples Day honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. It also gives students a chance to learn more about these communities.
Since June 21 falls on a Sunday this year, many schools are celebrating throughout the week, giving students more time to explore Indigenous cultures and contributions together.
At Pleasant Valley Elementary, students took part in about 10 different activity stations that introduced them to traditional Indigenous games and cultural teachings. They tried leg wrestling, stick pull, back push, seal jump, canoe paddling, nature weaving, Hul’q’umi’num bingo, and a scavenger hunt where they matched Coast Salish animals with their Hul’q’umi’num names.
The school also welcomed Stz’uminus Elder Geraldine Manson, who spent the day sharing stories with students. Later, everyone gathered to enjoy fry bread made with help from the school’s Indigenous education team and cultural support workers.
Principal Sara Tyson said the activities help students move beyond simply learning about Indigenous cultures to actively experiencing them.
“We want our kids to know our history and the history of local peoples, and to really understand it,” she said. “Not just hear bits and pieces but fully engage in the different cultural activities.”
She added that Indigenous learning is part of the whole school year, through classroom lessons, artwork, and school-wide projects that connect students with Coast Salish teachings and values.
“We really want to help our students walk in both worlds and learn what Indigenous culture means, what it looks like, how it feels,” she said. “We all have a place in that from a learning perspective and an experience perspective.”
Schools across the district are coming up with their own ways to celebrate and learn.
Last week, students at Fairview Elementary welcomed the Qwam Qwum Stuwixwulh Dancers, who shared traditional songs and dances as part of the school’s scheduled National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations. The event also featured fry bread for students to enjoy.
Later this week, students at Seaview Elementary will take part in a garden ceremony, activity stations, and a performance by the Quw’utsun Tzinquaw Dancers as part of the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
This week, students at École North Oyster Elementary will come together for a school-wide lahal, or bone game, tournament. The day begins with an opening led by Stz’uminus Elder George Seymour, then tournament play in the morning, and ends with a closing celebration and picnic lunch.
The celebrations offer a chance to recognize the knowledge, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples while strengthening connections between schools and local communities.
Mid Island Metis Nation will be hosting a free event on National Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s happening at Maffeo Sutton Park on Sunday, June 21, between 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The performances will feature current NLPS students, some former employees and many NLPS graduates.
