Indigenous Learning & Culture

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Marie Sharpe Tŝilhqot’in and Secwépemc language and culture students were competing for the coveted “Deadly Lahal Player” hoodies during the Annual Lahal Tournament hosted here at Marie Sharpe this week! </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">All the principals and vice-principals from the school district also made an appearance to learn and compete in their own game of Lahal. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What a fantastic day for all. Thank you to everyone who came and took part, and to those who spent so much time organizing and setting up!</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/580728ec-6799-4733-bc1e-0757f72d02a7?fingerprint=ppb20260611154951" alt="Lahal Tournament at Marie Sharpe! 1 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/60bb0033-86e3-4d9f-b196-da3ead62cc21?fingerprint=ppb20260611154945" alt="Lahal Tournament at Marie Sharpe! 2 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Guests from the School District's Indigenous Education team came to help our culture students practice their drumming, singing and Lahal skills in anticipation of the annual Lahal Tournament held here at Marie Sharpe.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They are all sounding great!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/16b37b43-3f09-42bd-95d5-c2d4431c1a88?fingerprint=ppb20260519162131" alt="Lahal Practice! marina campsall" width="726" height="968" style="width:726px;height:968px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A sea of red filled Marie Sharpe Elementary on May 5 as students and staff wore red to honour and remember Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. Brown’s K/1 class and Ms. Clarke’s Grade 3/4 class learned about the Faceless Dolls Project, an art initiative that honours Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls through the creation of faceless dolls. These dolls symbolize the loss of identity, voice, and visibility experienced by many victims. The project helps raise awareness, encourages reflection, and supports important conversations about the ongoing impacts of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people in Canada.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Each student had the opportunity to create their own faceless doll, and the activity was a meaningful and engaging experience for all involved. It was a powerful day of learning, reflection, and education at Marie Sharpe.</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr style="height: 33px;"><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/392b0aad-e179-4c9d-ae6c-6fe70b30f038?fingerprint=ppb20260519161618" alt="MMIW Red Dress Day 2 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/053b64c3-f023-42e7-a0de-858079a2ac44?fingerprint=ppb20260519161619" alt="MMIW Red Dress Day 1 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. Jack has been working with classes to complete the Marie Sharpe Drum set! We are so lucky to be able to be a part of the creation of these beautiful items, and we are so privileged to have Ms. Jack here to teach us!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/ece27e80-81fd-4eae-9204-87845d61d8c5?fingerprint=ppb20260422045853" alt="Working Toward Completed Drums marina campsall" width="405" height="541" style="width:405px;height:541px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This afternoon, one of our Indigenous Support Workers, Teness, made paper Ribbon Skirts with Brenley and Deliza today!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What a fun Friday afternoon activity. Thank you, Teness!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/8f4fd613-0fbf-4f71-884f-c3bac90146bd?fingerprint=ppb20260301053508" alt="Paper Ribbon Skirts at MSE 2 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9992dae4-0646-4594-9f11-37b56d9bbcc1?fingerprint=ppb20260301053508" alt="Paper Ribbon Skirts at MSE 1 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We have started our Annual Drum Making here at Marie Sharpe. The participating students have the opportunity to learn about the History of Drum Making and then get to learn how to make a drum with our Fantastic Tŝilhqot'in Culture and Language Teacher Linda Jack!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We can't wait to see how they all turn out!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/0c847ccb-a83c-476f-a346-5c572b28b2cc?fingerprint=ppb20260216203402" alt="Drum Making at Marie Sharpe 2 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/38b60061-3b49-416b-80d4-7c4b8bedb309?fingerprint=ppb20260216203402" alt="Drum Making at Marie Sharpe 1 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Grade 3 students had the pleasure of being visited by Dancing Water Sandy &amp; Freda Alphonse this week! They got to learn about Traditional Tea Blending and then got to blend some tea as well!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for visiting us! The students had such a good time!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/bc1a8996-cf72-43eb-8a40-59cbd02d755b?fingerprint=ppb20260216203217" alt="Traditional Tea Blending at Marie Sharpe marina campsall" width="534" height="400" style="width:534px;height:400px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Literacy Week Day 5! Powwow Day!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had the honour of being invited to the Annual Thomas Dueck Powwow hosted at Columneetza Junior Secondary last week. Eight of our classes got to go, spectate, and sometimes participate in the Powwow!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you to all of the organizers for all your work. And thank you to Columneetza Junior Secondary School for hosting!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/7d8f9b0a-db9f-456c-b71e-093a96423869?fingerprint=ppb20260216200751" alt="Literacy Week Day 5 Powwow Day marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What a day!! Literacy Week Day 3!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had FOUR local Celebrities grace our halls and classrooms today!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This morning we had Williams Lake First Nation's Chief Willie Sellars read both of his books, "Dipnetting with Dad" &amp; "Hockey with Dad" to the whole school during our January Celebration Assembly! What a fantastic and interactive presentation that was! Chief Willie was also repping his Stamps shirt to represent the Williams Lake Stampeders. So, we got a 2 in 1 Local Celebrity at our Assembly this morning! Thank you, Chief Willie!!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had the Mayor of the City of Williams Lake, Surinderpal Rathor, read to Mr. Parkin's Grade 6 class. He also shared some oral stories with the class about his history as a soldier and volunteer. Thank you so much for spending your afternoon with us Mayor Rathor!!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In Ms. Campsall's and Ms. Brown's classes today we had RCMP Members Staff Sergeant Brad McKinnon &amp; Corporal Chad Handle reading! Thank you so much for answering so many questions. The students are always ready with a question for the RCMP! Thank you for spending so much time with us today!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Book Battle! Pancakes for Breakfast moved onto the next round today! All classes read "Berry Song" by Michaela Goade &amp; "Watercress" by Andrea Wang. We can't wait to see which of these two will move onto the next round tomorrow!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/89924655-8910-4da3-9cd1-00f3544bf7a4?fingerprint=ppb20260204063025" alt="Literacy Week Day 3a marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b30e4c02-9a2a-4a43-b943-958201ca3d76?fingerprint=ppb20260204063024" alt="Literacy Week Day 3b marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It's Literacy Week!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We have a Local Celebrity coming to read their favourite book to EVERY CLASS this week!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you to Russ for dropping off the fire pit the District made last year! It was put in the middle of our sand pit, and every class went out and experienced Mrs. Linda Jack, our Tŝilhqot'in Language and Culture teacher, teaching us all about Respect using Oral Storytelling!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today we also had the pleasure of having two members of the Williams Lake Fire Department come and read to Mrs. Merth's K/1 class. Thank you Fire Fighters Friessen &amp; Wedel for your kindness and presence today.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We also had Mrs. Beaulne come and read to Ms. Craig's Grade 5/6 Class! The last time Mrs. Beaulne saw many of those students was when they were in Grade 1 and she was their Principal here! They were pretty darn excited to see her!</span><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What a fantastic kick off to our Literacy Week!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tomorrow is "Wear Clothing with Words On It!" Day!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/84a4796f-b53c-4f51-bd9c-bf530fe3e9aa?fingerprint=ppb20260204060119" alt="MSE Literacy Week Day 1b marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/53ec6671-ab32-43b7-ae43-d686dfea7a67?fingerprint=ppb20260204060119" alt="MSE Literacy Week Day 1a marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Jack and Ms. Clarke took part in the Medicine Series during their November Pro-D Day!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Participants utilized local, harvested ingredients in this workshop to create a salve(s) and tea blends. They were given a complete list of additional supplies and guides to complete these projects in their classrooms and instructions for how to use the District's Medicinal Plant Kit, Salve Making Kit, &amp; Dehydrators. They received the experience to do these cultural activities in our learning community here at Marie Sharpe!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We can't wait to see our students experience these activities as well!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks for signing up Mrs. Jack and Ms. Clarke!</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/6cc8f058-0aa1-4647-9cac-c446ed427c15?fingerprint=ppb20251217194033" alt="Medicine Series Pro D marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our Tsilhqot'in Language Students had the priviledge of visiting the Tsilhqot'in National Government Radio Station with Mrs. Jack and our Indigenous Support Worker Jolene, this month!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They spent the day there, and came back to school after many activities including making their own sage smudge spray! They also came back with a beautiful sweatshirt each!</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you to Mrs. Jack for organizing these field trips! The students were beyond thrilled to have this opportunity.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b233effc-c8e6-410b-8030-20a0e9916e44?fingerprint=ppb20251217193536" alt="832post Esdilagh First Nation added a new.." width="296" height="296" style="width:296px;height:296px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Ms. Campsall and a Grade 6 student are taking down our old Orange Ribbons on our front fence, so we can refresh with new ribbons.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We are putting up new ribbons to honour Truth and Reconciliation, and make sure our students are holding the significance of our local indigenous history in their memories all year long.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b0bdfe57-d4c5-42d6-a600-bbaf0bd66fe2?fingerprint=ppb20251217035607" alt="Refreshing our Orange Ribbon Fence marina campsall" width="489" height="652" style="width:489px;height:652px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This September, our school community came together under the theme of Respect with a focus on Belonging, guided by the Circle of Courage and the 7 Sacred Teachings. In the Circle of Courage, Belonging reminds us that every person is valued, cared for, and connected to the larger community. In the 7 Sacred Teachings, Respect and Love remind us to honour ourselves, others, and the land in ways that build trust and kindness.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout the month, students across all grades took part in weekly lessons that helped us explore how respect strengthens belonging in our classrooms and school. We practiced using respectful actions through charades and role-play, sorted real-life scenarios into respectful and not respectful choices, and created class charts that showed how respect can be shown to ourselves, to others, and to our community. Students listened actively to one another, brainstormed examples of kindness and empathy, and reflected in journals on ways they could carry respect into daily life.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With our primary classes, we closed the month by reading "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" and discussing how we can fill everyone’s buckets, even our own, through words and actions of kindness. With our intermediate classes, we created a "Pledge of Respect for Our Community," which now hangs proudly on the wall of our Human Flourishing classroom as a daily reminder of our shared responsibility to live with respect.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We also honoured Respect for History by preparing for and participating in Orange Shirt Day. Every student decorated or folded an orange shirt to create our own "Sea of Orange," a powerful visual reminder of the children who attended Canadian Residential Schools. This collective act allowed our school to remember, honour Survivors, and promise to walk together in Truth and Reconciliation.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In September, our learning showed us that respect is more than an individual choice, it is a shared responsibility. Through listening, caring, and standing together, we built belonging, honoured our connections to one another, and lived out the teachings of respect, love, and truth in our school community and beyond.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We move in to October! This month our theme is "Empathy" with a Circle of Courage focus on Generosity (giving kindness, care, and support to others).</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/94d0b08c-614e-4481-99f7-22c74b68fda7?fingerprint=ppb20260310032844" alt="Human Flourishing1 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/a66fb9ec-abce-49ab-bc25-70ee5d4ee6d9?fingerprint=ppb20260310032844" alt="Human Flourishing2 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This past week, Marie Sharpe students spent time in Human Flourishing classes with Ms. Campsall learning about Truth and Reconciliation. Their learning inspired the creation of our very own “Sea of Orange.” Students in Grades 4–6 folded and decorated paper orange shirts, while our K–3 students each decorated one of their own.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition, Ms. Craig’s and Ms. Page’s classes participated in the community Orange Shirt Day event at Boitanio Park today.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been a powerful week of learning, reflecting, and honouring the victims and survivors of Residential Schools.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/c54852e8-60a9-46fa-87b5-9362e4022a61?fingerprint=ppb20260301055804" alt="Marie Sharpes Sea of Orange1 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/be34d6ed-16dc-4a68-96d9-a00ce82522fb?fingerprint=ppb20260301055804" alt="Marie Sharpes Sea of Orange2 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Before the students arrived on site, staff from Marie Sharpe and Skyline gathered in circle on the local land at Boitanio Park. We enjoyed drumming and singing as well as story telling and a welcome reassurance that learning outdoors is exactly what our students need.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/8aa987f7-40b0-40d5-8484-d423b207e392?fingerprint=ppb20251217034631" alt="Learning on the land with a knowledge keeper heather mckinnon" width="489" height="652" style="width:489px;height:652px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This year, students at our school are taking part in lessons that focus on building character, confidence, and strong relationships. Each month, classes explore an important theme — such as problem solving, empathy, respect, communication, perseverance, integrity, relationships, and fairness. Through stories, hands-on activities, and group discussions, students practice skills that help them work through challenges, treat others with kindness, and contribute positively to their classroom and community.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These lessons are guided by the Circle of Courage model of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity, and are enriched by the 7 Sacred Teachings of love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth. They also align with the BC Curriculum Core Competencies, ensuring that students are developing the personal and social skills they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This month's theme is Respect with a focus on Belonging!</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/9650c4a3-a2fc-4fe4-a78f-ee10ab0715d8?fingerprint=ppb20260218213710" alt="Human Flourishing at Marie Sharpe2 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/4bb1400e-62f3-4158-a2be-ed906f2e3262?fingerprint=ppb20260218213710" alt="Human Flourishing at Marie Sharpe1 marina campsall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Marie Sharpe students were treated to a special year end learning powwow. Students were given the teaching of the powwow and witnessed great dancing by the WLFN cultural team. Special thanks to Cecil Sheena for sharing the teachings of powwow.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/09aedc02-f518-4226-a78e-e1a489dbb2dc?fingerprint=ppb20260218213229" alt="Marie Sharpe Powwow" width="487" height="366" style="width:487px;height:366px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Marie Sharpe hosted the 2nd annual lahal tournament. Teams travelled from around the district to take part. Special thank you to all the knowledge keepers that came out to support the event. A great day was experienced by all!</span></p><table class="editor-table" style="width: 100%; table-layout: fixed;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/00980245-9526-4662-aa58-2ab02eff79dc?fingerprint=ppb20260218213117" alt="District Lahal Tournament2" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top; text-align: start; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245);"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/70789b1a-05c1-4e5a-a2c9-7b39f4555a3f?fingerprint=ppb20260218213117" alt="District Lahal Tournament1" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students and staff at Marie Sharpe recognize Red Dress Day with classroom discussion and beautiful artwork in memory of MMIWG.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/f7ef99df-68c9-4fef-a8d8-0fa66d3dc812?fingerprint=ppb20251217040624" alt="MSE Recognizes Red Dress Day" width="647" height="485" style="width:647px;height:485px"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br><br><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We are so fortunate to have had the team from WLFN join us for the afternoon to teach us the Honour Song. We also had time to practice our school Salmon Song that was written with Danikka Murphy in September.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/5d08eac8-90d8-4e01-a9db-b2f342b8ad21?fingerprint=ppb20251217034103" alt="Honour Song Workshop" width="602" height="583" style="width:602px;height:583px"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">January is the month of Traditional Music and one in which we focus on the teaching of Love. This month, Mrs. Jack has spent her time dedicated to teaching each class, even our youngest learners, traditional songs. Here was also see our kindergarten teacher Mrs. Isnardy lovingly scaffold the art of keeping beat on the drum with gentle taps on the shoulder. Not only does learning the sacred art of singing and drumming take patience and time, it requires the gentle and loving approach of all those involved.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/c4abfd43-101a-56df-95a2-d5a853963be4?fingerprint=ppb20251217040218" alt="6h4kb8rf.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our amazing Ms. Jack continues the journey of teaching our students about drumming and Indigenous games. Here we see students drumming along as they play lahal. Students are learning to play cooperatively, encourage their classmates, and to win and lose with grace. Mastery of the game is tricky, and Ms. Jack is working with students to practice patience with themselves as they work towards mastery.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/0a401077-e9ba-5f41-94ec-561887a2e0a3?fingerprint=ppb20251217033659" alt="1dlcbwry.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout October, Ms. Jack has brought teachings about the drum and songs to all our classes. Students have been introduced to traditional Chilcotin songs and are learning to keep the beat before working with drums.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/b3bf46dd-4b70-5711-a2c9-d6bb5a678aa6?fingerprint=ppb20251217035607" alt="5c7nwkeq.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On September 26th we celebrated the month of the Humpback Salmon. We were gifted teachings from Martin Kruus from Scout Island, Freda Alphonse from SD27, and Dannika Murphy, Kyleen Toyne, and William Lulua from Williams Lake First Nation. Students learned about the Salmon Life Cycle, participated in processing and smoking a salmon, did Salmon art, and wrote a song about the Salmon.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/4c31535d-1dd3-59ae-9905-0411b9fb9918?fingerprint=ppb20251217034010" alt="rhu73eya.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/51631837-b830-5a84-b40d-df552aab532e?fingerprint=ppb20251217034024" alt="d3ftzub8.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grade 4/5 teacher Ms. Page has dedicated her time here at Marie Sharpe sharing about her Metis Culture, and learning more about our local Indigenous Culture. Here we see one of the smudges she has led this year.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/fddb8722-1145-555f-8c08-622621a32aaa?fingerprint=ppb20251217040636" alt="9zvfbd8m.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/93a6b833-8e57-5ac9-8238-4f9471e67c1a?fingerprint=ppb20251217035020" alt="3sm5vqul-1.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>