Community Round Square DISCOVERING THE NORTH

Eight senior students recently had an exciting experience at the Round Square conference hosted by Ashbury College, Ottawa. The conference’s theme was ‘Living the North,’ and the students immersed themselves in service learning workshops and discussion groups focusing on climate change in the Arctic from an Indigenous perspective. They also had the privilege of listening to various speakers talking about what ‘Living the North’ meant to them. The conference provided the students with an opportunity to stay with Canadian families and experience the country’s culture and lifestyle. Keep reading to hear from the students themselves on the trip of a lifetime!

Ava

- Homestay

During the Round Square conference, I had the honour of being hosted by the Duthie family, who graciously welcomed me to Canada. During my stay, I had the pleasure of getting to know Nerisa and her family. Nerisa and her mother showed me the ropes of living in Canada and all the exciting things to do in Ottawa, like understanding the intricacies of Ice Hockey and the famous players.

I gained two unique perspectives on Canadian life, one from Ottawa and the other from Montreal, which gave me a deeper understanding of the country and the lifestyles of the locals. I even attended my first live sporting event in Canada! I visited the National Gallery of Canada, where I saw some amazing pieces of artwork, and had many interesting conversations about our passions during car rides.

It felt like a four-day sleepover with some of the best people I have ever met. As the trip was coming to an end, I felt that I had bonded with them on a personal level. Before leaving for Australia, I intentionally left a coat behind so that I could one day return and visit the friends I had made during my time in Canada.

Ilyana

- Activities

Ashbury College organised a winter carnival on its campus, which gave delegates the chance to engage in various games and activities, such as sledding, ball games, and enjoying maple-flavored lollipops. One of the most notable activities was dog sledding, which allowed delegates to experience the traditional way of traveling across the harsh Canadian winter, which has been used by the Inuit people for thousands of years.

This event not only allowed us to immerse ourselves in the snowy environment and experience the way of living in the North, but it also provided us with the chance to try traditional Canadian food and drinks that are not easily available in Australia, such as poutine, fries and cheese curds smothered in a savory brown gravy, and Canada Dry.

Participating in the winter carnival was a fun and memorable experience, but it also allowed delegates to build new friendships and strengthen existing ones.

Hannah

and Alex - Activities

We had the privilege of visiting the Fairmont Le Château Montebello, which is the largest log cabin in the world. This beautiful Château is situated halfway between Montreal and

Ottawa, and it provided us with an authentic Canadian experience. Our baraza leaders had planned a number of group activities for us, and one of them was skits that were created by each group. Each group’s performance included songs, dances, and short scenes.

We were able to interact and bond with delegates from other schools and baraza groups. It was one of the most beneficial parts of the entire experience. We explored the grounds and even engaged in intense snowball fights with the delegates from Geralton, WA! During our stay at the Château, we also had the opportunity to hear from an Indigenous speaker who shared with us his stories and those of his ancestors. He shared with us his interpretations of animal sounds and encouraged us to give them a try. Afterward, we gathered around a massive bonfire, toasted marshmallows, and mingled with our fellow delegates under the lit-up archway.

Overall, this experience provided us with great insight into the Canadian lifestyle, the climate in the north, and further knowledge of Canada’s Indigenous peoples.

Addison - Service Learning

We participated in service activities during an afternoon dedicated to the Round Square ideals of Service and Leadership. These activities provided opportunities for international students at the conference to give back to the community. The activities offered were varied, including beading, dream catcher creation, candle making, making meals for the homeless, riverkeeping, and working with the community food bank. Personally, I chose to work at the community food bank.

Our task was to make recycled paper that would be sold at local farmers markets to raise funds for the program. This unique paper was made from recycled shredded paper, seeds, and natural dyes, such as beetroot juice. While working together, we shared laughs, bonded with each other, and learned about the different ways the food bank volunteers raised funds and awareness for their program.

Witnessing the volunteers’ creativity and kindness towards their community was truly inspiring. This service afternoon allowed all of us delegates to learn more about Ottawa’s community and inspired us to bring these acts of service back home to Australia.

Zia - Speakers and Workshops

At Ashbury, we were also fortunate enough to engage with some incredible speakers, all sharing their perspectives on the Arctic and Indigenous perspectives regarding climate change. The first speaker was a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, focused on spreading the word of the environment, economy, foreign policy and other issues being not separate concerns, but parts of a deeply interconnected whole. Embedded into her presentation were Indigenous practices, such as their acknowledgement to country, which involves burning seal blubber, and traditional dances and throat singing performed by their local Indigenous youth group. Seeing the distinction between our two Indigenous cultures, as well as their inherent similarities was a mind opening experience I think every one of us will not forget.

We also had a panel discussion about the urgency of taking action against climate change, highlighting the issues that the Arctic regions are currently facing, which will affect countries worldwide in the future. The panel consisted of diverse people such as President Natan Obed, the national spokesperson for Inuit in Canada, and Kaya Hipfner, a Year 9 student from Ashbury who comes from the Arctic. Canadian explorer

Adam Shoalts, who goes on solo wilderness expeditions in the Arctic, also spoke to us.

The final speaker was Waneek Horn-Miller, an Indigenous Olympian, who shared her deep insights into the challenges faced by young Indigenous people and Indigenous Olympians. As Australian representatives, we were surprised to learn about the similarities between the treatment of their Indigenous populations and our own, despite being on opposite sides of the world. These perspectives left a lasting impact on all the delegates and inspired us to work towards positive change.

Talia - Wrap Up

The Round Square Conference hosted by Ashbury College in Ottawa, Canada was an unforgettable and thrilling experience for all of us. We got to experience ‘Living the North,’ stay with Canadian families, participate in winter carnival activities, and engage with incredible speakers. The conference provided us with a deeper understanding of the country, the lifestyles and how the locals live. It was an opportunity to leave our comfort zones and learn about new cultures, which is essential in today’s globalised world.