What could be more timely and relevant, than doing Project of Heart in the “Creating Healthy, Safe, and Supportive Learning Environments” (PED 3139) course at the University of Ottawa?
This past week, 40 teacher candidates from Warren McBride’s class participated in each step of Project of Heart, learning the truths of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools. Continue reading Teacher candidates at Ottawa U get mini-immersion in Project of Heart
The “Have a Heart for First Nations Children” rally got under-way on unceded Algonquin Territory with Elizabeth Wyn Wood students in Ottawa joining up with Pierre Elliot Trudeau Elemetary School students from Gatineau, Quebec. Continue reading Project of Heart students brave the snow to speak out for F.N. children
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
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
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”.
Editor’s note:
It took time, a whole lot of it — and agonizing consideration — before John C. Yesno Education Centre teacher Courtney Strutt did something that brought students, staff members, and the community of Eabometoong (Fort Hope) together to do something that took courage and belief in the power of the human spirit.
Courtney knew the hurt ran deep. She knew wounds would be reopened if she were to join a movement that was beginning to spread across the entire country: teaching the truth about Canadian history. But Courtney did what she knew she had to do, and in the end, leaders of the Truth and Reconciliation movement in Canada would highlight her actions as a model for settlers in this country to follow. Please read her account here: Continue reading Eabametoong students use Project of Heart to discover families’ own memories of Residential Schools
Learners in the Halton Catholic District School Board (Ontario) will be able to look back on a memorable day due to Aboriginal Liason Officer Sherry Saevil, who took the time and the energy to make it possible for over 60 students from across the Board to learn about the impact of the Residential Schools on Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Teacher Heather Poublon and her Native Studies students recently dove into Project of Heart to learn more about First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people’s experiences at the Indian Residential Schools. Creativity and excitement were the result in the classroom, as the students persevered in their attempts to get their local Member of Parliament to come to their school to address their concerns.
Here’s Heather in her own words: Continue reading Leamington educator “feels relief” at finding Project of Heart
Fenelon Falls (Ontario) teacher Linda Zernask recently accompanied her students on a journey of discovery with Project of Heart. Her students uncovered a new and challenging view of recent Canadian history as they listened to Elder Cliff Standingready recall his own experiences at Indian Residential Schools. Continue reading Fenelon Falls Secondary School commemorates the students of George River Federal Hostel
Three grade 8 classes at Dolphin Senior School in Mississauga, Ontario, participated in the Project of Heart in the winter of 2013. Students read selections from Shirley Sterling’s book, My Name is Seepeetza (Douglas & McIntyre, 1992), and conducted research on the Indian Residential School closest to them, The Mohawk Institute, in Brantford, Ontario. They then created posters about various topics related to the institute, and decorated and presented their tiles to the class. Continue reading Dolphin Senior School honours the memory of the students who never came home from the Mohawk Institute