Page 10 As a collective, we decided that planting an Indigenous garden would deepen our Aboriginal Understanding with students, staff and community. We worked together knowing that the benefits of an Indigenous garden would be a tool for well-being, increasing physical activity, reducing stress and increasing a sense of belonging in a safe environment. We recognized several Aboriginal big ideas, curricular competencies and content were woven throughout the revised curriculum. We decided to look deeper into the following inquiry questions, ‘How do Aboriginal stories connect to the land?’ And ‘What does the Earth contribute to me?’ We used local and authentic resources to guide us in our journey. For months teachers worked together, using resources to teach students that Aboriginal stories and perspectives are an excellent source of information. In fact; we recognized that what we were doing will fit nicely with the First Peoples Principles of Learning, “Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, and focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place.” We noticed that all students were able to say what they were learning and how their learning was going. We also noticed that self-reflection and assessment allowed them to tell us where they were going next with their learning. Using the seven principles from the ‘The Nature of Learning’ we knew that the learners were at the center of their learning, that we were celebrating and recognizing individual differences and that we were building horizontal connections. Those connections fit perfectly in all curricular areas but was also perfect timing to celebrate our Indigenous Xup’unup (Garden) with Earth day. What a perfect way to learn about how we can make a difference by practicing healthy habitsofsustainabilityalongwithgaining a deeper understanding of Aboriginal ways. Celebrating the Xup’unup and Earth Day focused on promoting clean living and served as a conscious reminder of how fragile our planet is and how important it is to understand Aboriginal connections to the land and how to protect it. The celebration began with an outdoor assembly with guests, staff, students and parents standing around the garden. Standing together we acknowledged this beautiful territory of the Snuneymuxw People. An overview of the project, a cheque presentation, an amazing message from Patrick Aleck and drumming with grade 4/5 class made the day one that everyone was so proud of. The recycling team presented gifts to our guests. It is customary that when a celebration occurs you give your guests a gift. When they receive or take the gift, they are agreeing to be a witness to the event that took place. That whenever they look at the beautiful picture with the QR code or make the stinging nettle tea that they remember and recall the events.