Ahousaht celebrates class of 2021

Maaqtusiis Secondary School recognizes 20 graduates this year in fi rst 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 fi rst 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

Tofi no, BC - In a move to better incorporate First Nations culture at the Wickaninnish Community School in Tofi no, 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, Tofi no Community Food Initiative school garden lead, the project was born out of a desire to celebrate the Indigenous plants around Tofi no. “I defi nitely 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 language and culture educator, George said she tries to encourage the students to live by those words every day. Recently graduating from the University of Victoria with a diploma in Indigenous Language Revitalization and a certifi cate in Indigenous Language Profi ciency, the 67-year-old translated all 13 words into Nuu-chah-nulth. They serve as a reminder that the garden sits on Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s hahoulthee, known as traditional territory, George said. The inclusion of traditional words also helps to promote the children’s connection to the land, she added. Tla-o-qui-aht artist Ivy Cargill-Martin designed all the corresponding illustrations, and with the help of the school’s art teacher, Chelsey Naka, every student participated in painting the murals. Looking ahead, Robertson said she hopes to secure funding to include an additional eight murals. Engaging students with caring for a garden teaches them to be “grateful for what Mother Earth can give us,” said Robertson. “Hopefully, [the children] walk on this earth in nature with more understanding and more of a connection,” she said. “They know that this is a home, they know that we’re the stewards of this home and that we’re helping to take care of this home.”

Photo by Melissa Renwick Indigenous food murals hang at the Wickaninnish Community School’s garden in Tofi no. They were designed by Ivy Cargill-Martin and painted by the students as a small way to incorporate better First Nations cultural representation.

Congratulations to this year’s NTC scholarship winners

Ahousaht

Grade K Alayna Cloutier K-3 Draw Grade K Jade Thomas K-3 Draw Grdae 1 Troy Atleo K-3 Draw Grade 2 Jolene Lucas K-3 Draw Grade 2 Shoni Lucas K-3 Draw Grade 3 Nevaeh Atleo K-3 Draw Grade 3 Maxwell Hansen K-3 Draw Grade 3 Jared Little K-3 Draw Grade 3 Taimani Robinson K-3 Draw Grade 3 Heidi Swan K-3 Draw Grade 6 Elijah Hansen Academic & Athletic Grade 6 Chasity Sam Artistic Grade 6 Angelina Williams Academic Grade 7 Rosalynn Williams Academic & Athletic Grade 8 Leanna John Academic & Artistic Grade 8 Jessie Swan Academic & Artistic Grade 9 Maikeli Kaloucokovale Academic & Athletic Grade 10 Eric Lindsay Academic Grade 10 Sequoia Lindsay Academic Grade 12 Diamond Atleo Artistic Grade 12 Dalainee John Academic & Ha Hopchu Grade 12 Sereana Kaloucokovale Academic & Athletic

Ditidaht

Grade 2 Kyle Martin-Thompson K-3 Draw Grade 2 Zoey Thompson K-3 Draw Grade 3 Derrick John K-3 Draw Grade 7 Damian Essler-Edgar Academic Grade 7 Dakota Knighton Academic & Athletic Grade 7 Hailey Thompson Academic Grade 8 Kate Edgar Academic & Artistic Grade 8 Breeanna Essler-Edgar Academic Grade 8 Destiny Peltier Academic & Athletic Grade 8 Barry Samuel Academic Grade 10 Mazzari tate Academic & Ha Hopchu Grade 12 Josie Marchand Academic

Ehattesaht

Grade 11 Kane Miller Academic

Hesquiaht

Grade K Mya August K-3 Draw Grade 11 Katrina Rowe Academic

Hupacasath

Grade K Kian Amos K-3 Draw Grade 6 Isabelle Tatoosh Mcleod Academic & Artistic Grade 12 Jenae Sam Academic

Huu-ay-aht

Grade 5 Braydon Peters Academic Grade 5 Sydney Nookemus Academic Grade 6 Madison Lucas Academic & Ha Hopchu Grade 8 Olivia Peters Academic & Athletic

Kyuquot

Grade 3 Ayana Leo K-3 Draw Grade 5 Jackson Jules Academic Grade 10 Braelene Leo Academic & Athletic

Mowachaht

Grade K Dominic George K-3 Draw Grade 2 Ava August K-3 Draw Grade 5 Acacia Tom-Sylvester Academic Grade 6 Catina Mattice Academic & Artistic Grade 6 Dave Amos Academic Grade 7 Darnell Thompson Academic

Nuchatlaht

Grade 2 Paton Peters K-3 Draw Grade 3 Skyla Jeff ery K-3 Draw Grade 12 Amber Vincent Academic & Artistic

Tla-o-qui-aht

Grade 3 Helen Martin K-3 Draw Grade 3 Mason Frank K-3 Draw Grade 5 Bode Amos Academic & Athletic Grade 7 Wiinuk Marin Academic & Athletic Grade 8 Hannah Frank Academic Grade 10 Ryliegh Amos Academic Grade 10 Da’von Ekering Academic & Ha Hopchu Grade 12 Raquel Thomas Academic Grade 12 Timothy Masso Academic & Ha Hopchu

Tseshaht

Grade K Nikko Lamb K-3 Draw Grade K Olivia Little K-3 Draw Grade 1 Kessa Watts K-3 Draw Grade 1 Sarah Burnip K-3 Draw Grade 1 Wyatt Pratt K-3 Draw Grade 2 Dawson Bill K-3 Draw Grade 2 Royston Good K-3 Draw Grade 2 Sadie Volodin K-3 Draw Grade 3 Annika Anderson K-3 Draw Grade 3 Desiderio Gomez-Charels K-3 Draw Grade 3 Kailand Watts K-3 Draw Grade 3 Natilee Dick K-3 Draw Grade 3 Tessa Auerbach K-3 Draw Grade 4 Logan Knighton Academic & Ha Hopchu Grade 4 Odis Anderson Academic Grade 4 Solomon Watts Academic & Athletic Grade 5 Emery Auerbach Academic Grade 5 Nisma Marshall Academic & Artistic Grade 6 Carmen Bill Academic Grade 6 Kate Anderson Academic & Athletic Grade 7 Hayliegh Watts Athletic Grade 8 Giulianna Little Academic & Athletic Grade 8 Jaidin Knighton Academic & Artistic Grade 8 Tia Watts Academic & Ha Hopchu Grade 9 Jasmin Fred Academic & Artistic Grade 9 Kieris Braker-Patterson Academic & Athletic Grade 9 Kelcie Sam Academic & Artistic Grade 10 Hannah Sam Academic & Artistic Grade 10 Neve Watts Academic & Athletic Grade 10 Oliver Anderson Academic & Athletic Grade 10 Sophia Bill Academic & Artistic Grade 11 Jewel Jensen Academic & Artistic Grade 11 Rain Thomas Academic & Athletic Grade 11 Serenity Watts Artistic Grade 12 Kayden Dorion Athletic Grade 12 Kyle Rosengren Academic & Artistic