Co-Curricular Making: Honouring Indigenous Connections
to Land, Culture and the Relational Self | September 2023

Way' SSHRC Project Educators, Community Partners, Research Partners, and Research Assistants,

It was wonderful to see many of you at the Water Ceremony on Tuesday.  We are so grateful to Elder Pamela Barnes, Elder Grouse Barnes, Elder Rose Caldwell, Kathy Michel, Jasmine Peone, and Kelly Terbasket for sharing the evening with us joining in ceremony, teachings, and honouring the relationship that Syilx people share with siwɬkʷ (water). The rain, both the gentle and torrential fall, was a precious gift to all of us. A special thanks to B.Ed. student Katy Leslie for the photo above capturing the magnificent rainbow that greeted us at Bertram Park.

As we approach Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th we wanted to share some resources that have been developed by our colleagues at UBC Okanagan.  We invite you to join us in wearing orange in recognition of all of the children who attended residential schools, honouring survivors and remembering those that did not return home. There are local events taking place throughout the valley; we want to draw attention to some opportunities with our partners. On September 30, the Walk for The Children hosted by Okanagan Nation Alliance will take place in Pentiction and (Un)learn with Kelowna Museums  will start at 12pm. 

We hope that you will join us online in October, as we get the oppoprtunity to learn more from Kelly Terbasket.

Sincerely,
SSHRC Facilitation Team 

Syilx Language 

ɬəxwɬaxwtan | time of the choke cherry September 14 - October 13 on the Syilx Okanagan Moon Calendar. As the weather shifts, mornings and evenings are cooler, take time to get out on the land. See the ta’tupa Spirit Bear Moon Calendar on the Okanagan Nation Alliance Resource Page

Food for Thought and Action

Walk for The Children | Hosted by Okanagan Nation Alliance. September 30, 10am - 12pm.Join for a 2 km Walk for Reconciliation on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation! Depart from the Safeway Parking lot and making our way to the SIRS Monument outside the Penticton Hatchery on En’owkin Trail.

Learning a Language: Nsyilxcən for Everyone | Hosted by Kelowna Museums. All levels: Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec | A 4-week language course led by Knowledge Keepers and Elders of the Syilx nation

Truth and Reconciliation – (Un)learn with Kelowna Museums | Hosted by Kelowna Museums. September 30, 12 - 4pm. All-ages guided and self-guided stations help you learn about the history and culture of the Syilx people.

nárkwulaman | Hosted by Kelowna Museums. October 1, 1 -3pm. The Okanagan is incredibly biodiverse, and the syilx/Okanagan people have deep knowledge of how to use the different plant species for food, medicine, shelter, even natural deodorant! Put on your walking shoes and join us for this always popular outdoor event.

 Wolves: The Art of Dempsey Bob | Hosted by Kelowna Art Gallery. October 14, 2023 - February 18, 2024. This exhibition offers a personal encounter with one of the leading carvers of British Columbia’s Northwest Coast.

kinSHIFT in the Classroom Any school relation can participate in kinSHIFT in the Classroom—teachers, Indigenous advocates, classroom and education assistants, leadership, parent council members, university educators—all are welcome! Email enquiries@kinSHIFT.ca to register by Sept 29, 2023. Wondering if kinSHIFT in the Classroom is right for you? Schedule a discovery Zoom with us to ask questions and learn more about the program.

Cultural Competency Training | Hosted by the Sncewips Heritage Museum. Starts October 6th. A four-part series that is meant to expand your knowledge and awareness of colonial issues. Knowledge keepers will teach about syilx worldview, the history of contact, current affairs, and the way forward. Each of the four sessions is three hours long and will provide you with the knowledge you need to begin your journey towards reconciliation.

Shared Resources from our Colleagues at the University of Ottawa | Shared by the Faculty of Education at UOttawa. As part of the commitment the teacher education program has been providing training to teacher candidates on Project of Heart and the Caring Society’s Spirit Bear Resources. Both of these classroom based programs can be resources as you prepare for  National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and throughout the year.

For more information about our community partners please visit their sites: Okanagan Nation Alliance, IndigenEYEZ, Kelowna Art Gallery, and Kelowna Museums. Do you have an event that you would like to share? Please email the SSHRC PG facilitation team.

Co-Curricular Making Resources

The purpose of these curricular resources is to deepen local understanding of all who visit, and to enhance educators’ knowledge and capacities toward curricular unlearning (decolonization) and Indigenization. All materials and resources included on this site are publicly available.

Co-Curricular Resource Site

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