OVER 1000 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ABORIGINAL AWARENESS DAY EVENTS

TIMMINS, ON: 

This week, over 1000 high school students were lucky enough to participate in Sharing our Diversity Aboriginal Awareness Day events. Students from O'Gorman High School, Timmins High & Vocational School, Roland Michener Secondary School and the Aboriginal Alternative Secondary School Program learned about Aboriginal traditional culture and took part in a variety of ceremonies.

The 1st annual event, part of the Timmins and District Aboriginal Partnership project, united representatives from Northeastern Catholic District School Board, District School Board Ontario North East, the Timmins Police Aboriginal Advisory Committee, the Ojibway Cree Cultural Centre, the Métis Nation of Ontario, the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, the Timmins Economic Development Corporation and more.

Former mayor of Cochrane, Lawrence S. Martin, headlined the event and spoke to large assemblies of students at each participating high school on Tuesday September 20th. The Juno-award winner used guitar and song to help convey his message about personal belief, the impact of stereotypes and the importance of awareness to the youth. Students found his presentation both informative and entertaining.

"As Principal of Roland Michener, I believe that it is of the utmost importance that our students be provided with opportunities to learn more about Aboriginal culture. These types of presentations give students the means to develop an understanding of Aboriginal culture that is based on current practices and their origins. Mr. Lawrence's humour and music created a message that was both enlightening and fun. At the end of the presentation, the students' questions and comments showed that the presentation had impressed them deeply," says Roland Michener Secondary School's Principal, John Sullivan.

An intensive 1-day workshop was also held at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre on Thursday September 22nd, where approximately 70 students learned first-hand about drumming, smudging, story-telling and Aboriginal heritage in Ontario. Staff and school-board representatives also took part in the event. The group listened intently as Elders talked about their experiences growing up, living in residential schools, dealing with life's challenges and developing a sense of personal identity. Representatives from the Timmins Police Service also came in and spoke about career development and the importance of cyber-safety. The event concluded with students sharing some of their own struggles and learning from what one another had to say.

"It's always an honor to work with the young people, especially when they listen to what we have to share and teach them. The youth empowered each other by sharing personal stories battling addictions, this concluded the event with some healing tears," says Doug Davey, Akwego Program Coordinator at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, who performed a smudging ceremony and drummed for the group.

"There was a sense, from beginning to end, of trust, mutual respect, and community. This experience of healthy community was empowering for all of us who participated in the events," says Michael Buhler, the Pastoral Care Worker for the Northeastern Catholic District School Board, who sat on the event's organizing committee.

"The week's events were a complete success! We've already received incredibly positive feedback from administrators, presenters and of course the students, as well as requests to make this a 2-day workshop next year. We're hoping next year's celebrations will be even bigger and better, with more opportunities to develop community partnerships," says Kathryn Carrière, Aboriginal Liaison Coordinator for the Timmins Economic Development, who helped spear-head the project.

The organizing committee hopes that participants will take what they have learned and help bring more awareness and acceptance into their schools, families and neighbourhoods.
 

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Media Contacts:
 
Dr. Kathryn Carrière
Aboriginal Liaison Coordinator
Timmins Economic Development Corporation
12 Elm Street North
Timmins, ON   P4N 6A1
tel:  705-360-2600 x7074
fax:  705-360-2679
kathryn.carriere@timmins.ca