Category Archives: Eastern Ontario

Shannen’s legacy lives on


The memory of Shannen Koustachin was kept alive at a recent event at the Museum of Nature in Ottawa.

On the evening, June Girvan, Community Service Award winner for 2014, was feted by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation for her extraordinary work in children’s rights. June dedicated the award to the memory of Shannen Koustachen and her “Dream Team” of activists for carrying on Shannen’s work–equal education for First Nations children. Shannen has inspired youth across Canada to continue her work of bringing justice to First Nations children across Canada who continue to suffer systemic discrimination at the hands of the Federal government. Continue reading Shannen’s legacy lives on

Have a Heart for First Nations Children: Ottawa Project of Heart students take to the Hill


 

On February 10 students from Elizabeth Wyn Wood school in Ottawa made the decision to join with and support hundreds of other students from the National Capital area on Parliament Hill as they voiced their concerns to Prime Minister Stephen Harper–loud and clear! Continue reading Have a Heart for First Nations Children: Ottawa Project of Heart students take to the Hill

Young leaders take the helm at Covenant Chain V


 

The events at at the Diocesan Centre in Ottawa on October 18th will go down as “making history” in Project of Heart’s diary.
 
For the first time at a Kairos Covenant Chain Link conference, youth took over the plenary and guided the delegates through a session given by Shannen’s Dream Team from the National Capital region. Seven area students​ spoke of their journey of activism, inspired by First Nation youth Shannen Koustachen of Attawapiskat. Continue reading Young leaders take the helm at Covenant Chain V

Honouring the lives lost in Residential Schools means demanding justice for the Missing and Murdered

This past term students from Elizabeth Wyn Wood in Ottawa took all that they had learned about the Indian Residential Schools to heart, when they decided to put their words into action and attend the annual Sisters in Spirit Vigil hosted by the Native Women’s Association of Canada. Continue reading Honouring the lives lost in Residential Schools means demanding justice for the Missing and Murdered

Cobourg students “moved beyond what they had imagined”.


 

Sheryl Mattson’s students at Cobourg District Collegiate Institute were learning of things they never thought could happen in Canada. They progressed through the first three steps of POH, reading stories and articles as well as watching videos and DVDs. Though the new knowledge was changing their understanding of their country’s history, they still could never have predicted the transformation that occurred at “Step 4”, when Elder Ron Howard, an Indian Residential School survivor from the Hiawatha First Nation, visited the classroom. Continue reading Cobourg students “moved beyond what they had imagined”.

Pembroke’s Bishop Smith Catholic High School re-connects with Project of Heart

This spring students and staff from Bishop Smith Catholic High School in Pembroke, Ontario hosted Project of Heart for a second year running. An Elder and IRS survivor from the Algonquin community along with his daughter, granddaughters, and grandsons were invited to participate in the smudging ceremony. The event was video-recorded for the Elder — who could not speak — but who, along with his granddaughter, danced a healing dance around the tiles. Continue reading Pembroke’s Bishop Smith Catholic High School re-connects with Project of Heart