July 2, 2021—Ha-Shilth-Sa—Page 19
Ahousaht’s high school celebrates the class of 2021 Maaqtusiis Secondary School recognizes 20 graduates this year in first indoor ceremony since pandemic struck Denise Titian Ha-Shilth-Sa Reporter Maaqtusiis, BC – Excitement was in the air as Ahousaht’s graduating class of 2021 prepared for the first indoor ceremony since the pandemic struck more than a year ago. The Commencement Ceremony took place on the school track on June 29. The Atleo-Louie scholarship and Clayquot Biosphere Trust award were presented to deserving students. The day wound down with a celebration dinner and family presentation to the graduates. The graduates are Diamond Atleo, Peter Campbell, Tayshaun Charleson, Jaa-Deen Charlie, Corby Frank, Joe Frank, Cecil George Jr., Savannah George, Stanley Glendale, Calvin Hunter, Dalainee John, Sereana Kaloucokovale, Matthew Lucas, Brandon Mark, Michelle Michael, Janae Sam, Xavier Smith, Aaron Whitmore, Lennox Williams, Mercedes Zarelli.
Photos by Denise Titian
Top: Dalainee John, Sereana Kaloucokovale and Diamond Atleo display their cedar graduation hats. Below right: Lennox Williams and Cecil George look over their gowns before graduation.
Murals displayed at Wickaninnish school garden By Melissa Renwick Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tofino, BC - In a move to better incorporate First Nations culture at the Wickaninnish Community School in Tofino, 13 food murals have been hung around the facility’s garden displaying the Nuuchah-nulth words of various plants and animals. Spearheaded by Paula Robertson, Tofino Community Food Initiative school garden lead, the project was born out of a desire to celebrate the Indigenous plants around Tofino. “I definitely wanted to see more representation of the Indigenous food here,” said Robertson. “I think it’s important for us all to know what is growing in our own backyard that we can use as food and medicine.” After securing several grants and wading through COVID-19 set-backs, the year-and-a-half project wrapped up in time for the end of the school year and was celebrated through a traditional ceremony on Tuesday, June 22. As part of the ceremony, Grace George, First Nations support worker for School District 70, guided student Mary-Jane Amos through reciting a traditional prayer learned from Tla-o-qui-aht elder Levi Martin. “Praise the light of day Creator, praise the light of day Creator,” George said, translating the prayer. “We are pleading with you Creator – give us strength, keep us strong. Help us to stand with dignity, honour and respect.” Through her role as a First Nations lan-
Photo by Melissa Renwick
Indigenous food murals hang at the Wickaninnish Community School’s garden in Tofino. They were designed by Ivy Cargill-Martin and painted by the students as a small way to incorporate better First Nations cultural representation. guage and culture educator, George said George said. Engaging students with caring for a she tries to encourage the students to live The inclusion of traditional words also garden teaches them to be “grateful for by those words every day. helps to promote the children’s connecwhat Mother Earth can give us,” said Recently graduating from the University tion to the land, she added. Robertson. of Victoria with a diploma in Indigenous Tla-o-qui-aht artist Ivy Cargill-Martin “Hopefully, [the children] walk on this Language Revitalization and a certificate designed all the corresponding illustraearth in nature with more understandin Indigenous Language Proficiency, the tions, and with the help of the school’s ing and more of a connection,” she said. 67-year-old translated all 13 words into art teacher, Chelsey Naka, every student “They know that this is a home, they Nuu-chah-nulth. participated in painting the murals. know that we’re the stewards of this They serve as a reminder that the garLooking ahead, Robertson said she home and that we’re helping to take care den sits on Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s hopes to secure funding to include an ad- of this home.” hahoulthee, known as traditional territory, ditional eight murals.