Category Archives: Durham and District Board

Pringle Creek P.S. — “End result was astounding”


 

Sometimes we wonder: is there is a school board in Canada more committed to teaching the truth about the Residential School era than the Durham District School Board in Ontario?

Once again a committed Durham Board teacher, Kimberly Hutt from Pringle Creek Public School, has partnered with Project of Heart to create a powerful learning experience.

Here’s Kimberley, in her own words: Continue reading Pringle Creek P.S. — “End result was astounding”

Port Perry students roll with Project of Heart for 3rd year running

Native Studies and Native Arts students at Port Perry High School recently participated in Project of Heart — for the 3rd year in a row! Seasoned Native Studies and History teacher, Nancy Hamer-Strahl, brought students through the learning module by commemorating the students from Stirland Lake (Ontario), Crystal Bay (Manitoba) and Battleford Industrial School (Saskatchewan). Continue reading Port Perry students roll with Project of Heart for 3rd year running

St. Mary Catholic Secondary commemorates students from Caribou and St. Mary IRS


Teachers Alanna Brown, Cathie McDavid, Ms. Ginesi, and Colleen Hudson of St.Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering, Ontario went on a journey of discovery with their respective classes this past June, learning about the IRS system in Canada and gaining a glimpse into the Aboriginal world-view as they listened to the teachings of Elder and IRS survivor, Cliff Standingready. Continue reading St. Mary Catholic Secondary commemorates students from Caribou and St. Mary IRS

Oshawa Community Health Centre hosts Project of Heart

On May 14th, Oshawa Community Health Centre hosted its second Aboriginal Awareness workshop to staff from various agencies and institutions from across Durham Region including: Durham Children’s Aid Society, Durham District School Board, Durham Catholic District School Board, YWCA, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and Oshawa Community Health Centre. Continue reading Oshawa Community Health Centre hosts Project of Heart

Port Perry’s Nancy Hamer-Strahl takes Project of Heart nationwide on the CBC

Port Perry teacher Nancy Hamer-Strahl has completed Project of Heart for a second year running. Once again, Nancy has found a way to connect her classroom to her own community — including her area’s First Nation community — and ultimately to the whole country through her contribution to CBC’s excellent “8th Fire” series. Continue reading Port Perry’s Nancy Hamer-Strahl takes Project of Heart nationwide on the CBC

“Project of Art”: Port Perry High School student decorates entire IRS tile kit

Click on image above to see slideshow of student Jake Robinson’s work

It’s never been done before, but a talented high school student from Ontario has completed the remarkable feat of decorating the commemorative tiles for an entire Indian Residential School all by himself. Most students working on Project of Heart are given a set of 10 tiles to decorate, but, as reported by Port Perry’s High School Newsletter, “Jake Robinson was so inspired by this project that he has taken on the job to commemorate 200 children on his own, during his free time. His artistic talent speaks volumes of his passion for this commemorative project.” Continue reading “Project of Art”: Port Perry High School student decorates entire IRS tile kit

Dunbarton HS to Prime Minister: “Aboriginal Women are Loved and Valued”

Pickering, Ontario teacher Jenny Brown recently worked with her Dunbarton HS  students to decorate over 900 tiles to commemorating the children who lost their lives at Cecilia Jeffrey IRS in Kenora, Ontario, Grollier Hall IRS in Inuvik, NWT, and St. Peter’s IRS in Hay River, NWT. Continue reading Dunbarton HS to Prime Minister: “Aboriginal Women are Loved and Valued”

Students’ social justice action helps bring Charlie’s body back home

 

Google satellite image of Peawanuck, Northern Ontario – population 250

As the social justice component of their Project of Heart learning module, students from G.L. Roberts in Oshawa, Ontario raised $400.00 for the family of Charlie Hunter, a 13 year old Cree student who drowned while at Indian Residential School in Moosonee. http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1042121–charlie-hunter-s-finally-home-with-his-family Continue reading Students’ social justice action helps bring Charlie’s body back home

Durham District School Board teachers bring Project of Heart into their schools

Teachers Garrett Metcalfe from Durham Alternative Secondary School, Paul Scanga from O’Neill C.V.I., Stephen Rhody from Donald A. Wilson Secondary School, Rene Bursey from Pickering High School, Nick Lezetc from J.Clarke Richardson Collegiate Institute, and Deborah Keeler from Pierre Elliott Trudeau Public School all participated in honouring the lives of children lost due to the Indian Residential School experience in Canada. Continue reading Durham District School Board teachers bring Project of Heart into their schools