Prairie South School Division (PSSD) is highlighting the work its schools have done since September to pursue initiatives and activities that focus on mental health and reconciliation.
These two topics are part of four that comprise the new provincial education plan (PEP), which the Ministry of Education launched in November to guide the education sector until 2030. The other main priorities include learning and assessment and student transitions into, through and out of school.
Amanda Olson, superintendent of learning for PSSD, discussed during the recent board meeting how schools have been educating students about First Nation culture and mental health and well-being.
Aboriginal education
One action priority in the PEP is to value and support First Nations and Metis languages and cultures, which schools have been doing by hosting celebrations and ceremonies, she said.
Many times, schools join together to celebrate and learn more about these cultures, as Riverview, Empire and Westmount schools did on Sept. 30, 2023, when they participated in the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Furthermore, in December, Riverview, Peacock and Central collegiates hosted Cadmus Delorme, former chief of the Cowessess reserve, where he discussed his journey of overcoming racism as a youth.
Also, “The Three Kokums” — three Metis grandmothers — have been visiting schools to share and celebrate their culture. They promote such activities as beading, medicine bags, story stones, jigging, feasts, talking sticks and drums.
“They have been out to many schools already … but they have some schools on the list yet to visit between now and the end of the year,” said Olson. “So you’ll see them all over the place doing wonderful things with our students.”
The New Southern Plains Metis Local 160 has also been active, as it recently visited Prince Arthur School to share information about jigging and Red River carts, she added.
Mental health
There are several milestones under the Mental Health and Well-being action priority in the PEP, including learnings and supports for students, adults and parents/caregivers, said Olson.
To facilitate this priority, a division consultant created an online mental health wellness room with resources for students, parents and teachers, while resources are continually being added, she continued. This year, the division added a section for adults, including non-teaching staff and others throughout the area.
“We want everyone to know where it is and what it is all about so that they can access it when they want to (and) if they want to … ,” Olson stated.
Meanwhile, Prairie South has a partnership with River Street Promotions (RSP), which created a grant-matching initiative that supports mental health- and wellness-related projects, she continued. School community councils raise money, while RSP matches whatever they raise to $1,500.
Coronach School is one venue that accessed funding to host an assembly and workshop titled “The Power of Possibility,” which equipped students with practical tools to develop a clearer understanding of “their holistic self.”
“The goal was to have students walk away with a sense of hope and desire to create a better tomorrow for themselves and others,” Olson said.
Eighteen schools have taken advantage of the program so far, which is great for those communities, she added.
In December, RSP hosted — with sponsorship from Co-op — an event at the Mae Wilson Theatre called “Music City in Moose Jaw,” where four Nashville artists performed and told stories about their mental health wellness journeys in life and the music business.
There were many messages — Olson wrote down 20 — that the musicians delivered to students, such as:
- Resilience comes from hard times. If something is too hard, don’t be afraid to ask someone for help
- Live in the moment. Find peace in the moment. Love yourself now. Don’t wait until later. Be happy right where you are and take that forward with you
“(It was) just a wonderful opportunity for our students to hear from real people about their journey, their resiliency (and) overcoming barriers … and just lots of powerful messages,” Olson added.
The next PSSD board meeting is Tuesday, May 7.
